Abstract: A system for identifying melanoma and other skin cancer in a dermoscopy image comprises: an image analyzer having at least one processor that instantiates at least one component stored in a memory, the at least one component comprising: a segmenter configured to segment a lesion from the rest of the image, a handcrafted feature component including: a median color splitting model for separating the image into a plurality of color regions, a vessel detection model for detecting elevated vascularity, an atypical pigment network detection model for identifying a pigment network whose structure varies in size and shape, a salient point detection model for detecting salient points based on an intensity plane of the image, a color detection model for detecting at least one of a white area, a pink shade, a pink blush, and a semi-translucency, a hair detection model for characterizing detected hairs and ruler marks, an outside model that finds the above model features on non-dark-corner areas outside the segmented are

Abstract: A system for identifying melanoma and other skin cancer in a dermoscopy image comprises: an image analyzer having at least one processor that instantiates at least one component stored in a memory, the at least one component comprising: a segmenter configured to segment a lesion from the rest of the image, a handcrafted feature component including: a median color splitting model for separating the image into a plurality of color regions, a vessel detection model for detecting elevated vascularity, an atypical pigment network detection model for identifying a pigment network whose structure varies in size and shape, a salient point detection model for detecting salient points based on an intensity plane of the image, a color detection model for detecting at least one of a white area, a pink shade, a pink blush, and a semi-translucency, a hair detection model for characterizing detected hairs and ruler marks, an outside model that finds the above model features on non-dark-corner areas outside the segmented are

Abstract: Provided herein are classifying systems for classifying a lesion border of a dermoscopy image. Provided systems generally include an image analyzer that includes a border generator configured to automatically generate a plurality of borders based on a plurality of segmentation algorithms, wherein each of the plurality of borders is generated based on a different one of the plurality of segmentation algorithms; a feature detector configured to detect one or more features on the dermoscopy image for each of the plurality of borders; and a classifier configured to assign a classification to each of the plurality of borders based on the one or more features detected by the feature detector; wherein the image analyzer is configured to select a best border from the plurality of borders based on the classification assigned by the classifier. Also provided are methods for classifying a lesion border of dermoscopy images using the provided systems.

Abstract: Methods and immunoassays for diagnosing a bite or sting of a venomous organism in a patient having symptoms consistent with such a bite or sting are provided. A sample of venom is collected from the area of the suspected bite or sting using a swab and then contacted with an antibody that specifically binds to an antigenic site on venom present in the sample. Binding is then detected. The invention is illustrated by examples showing diagnosis of brown recluse spider bite, distinguishing it from other diagnoses with which it is often confused. This extremely sensitive test can detect venom antigens down to about 20 picograms even after the sample has been shipped and stored for periods of up to three weeks during the summer.

Abstract: Methods and immunoassays for diagnosing a bite or sting of a venomous organism in a patient having symptoms consistent with such a bite or sting are provided. A sample of venom is collected from the area of the suspected bite or sting using a swab and then contacted with an antibody that specifically binds to an antigenic site on venom present in the sample. Binding is then detected. The invention is illustrated by examples showing diagnosis of brown recluse spider bite, distinguishing it from other diagnoses with which it is often confused. This extremely sensitive test can detect venom antigens down to about 20 picograms even after the sample has been shipped and stored for periods of up to three weeks during the summer.

Abstract: Methods and immunoassays for diagnosing a bite or sting of a venomous organism in a patient having symptoms consistent with such a bite or sting are provided. A sample of venom is collected from the area of the suspected bite or sting using a swab and then contacted with an antibody that specifically binds to an antigenic site on venom present in the sample. Binding is then detected. The invention is illustrated by examples showing diagnosis of brown recluse spider bite, distinguishing it from other diagnoses with which it is often confused. This extremely sensitive test can detect venom antigens down to about 20 picograms even after the sample has been shipped and stored for periods of up to three weeks during the summer.

Abstract: Improved methods for computer-aided analysis of identifying features of skin lesions from digital images of the lesions are provided. Improved preprocessing of the image that 1) eliminates artifacts that occlude or distort skin lesion features and 2) identifies groups of pixels within the skin lesion that represent features and/or facilitate the quantification of features are provided including improved digital hair removal algorithms. Improved methods for analyzing lesion features are also provided.

Abstract: A hand-held surgical apparatus with supporting equipment comprising a mechanism for producing a pressurized jet of fluid which is sufficiently energetic to fragment diseased human and animal tissue without damaging adjacent healthy tissue. Preferably the apparatus includes a jet of fluid which impinges obliquely onto the operative area such that diseased tissue underneath overlying healthy tissue may be fragmented, especially finger-like extensions from tumorous growths of the skin. The jet rotated about a generally vertical axis such that the points of impact of the water from the jet upon the operative area describes circular patterns, thereby effectively and quickly distributing fragmenting energy over a wide operative area. A supporting vacuuming apparatus for aspirating effluent or expended fluid and fragmented tissue from the operative site.