Patent ID: 6308088
Filing Date: 2001-10-23
Classification: A61B,G01J

Abstract:
A process of detecting a condition in a test subject, which condition includes a symptomtic, detectable change in the test subject's coloration; the process comprising:(a) establishing a plurality of coloration classes that include a first class of skin coloration having values of color factor Hunter L at or below a predetermined value and a second class of skin coloration having values of color factor Hunter L above said predetermined value, wherein a first predeterminded increase over time in the value of color factor Hunter b for skin coloration of the first class is indicative of the possible onset of hyperbilirubinemia, and wherein a second predetermined increase over time in the value of color factor Hunter b for skin coloration of the second class is indicative of the possible onset of hyperbilirubinemia;(b) at a first point in time, measuring with a color measuring instrument a value of color factor Hunter b in the test subjects skin coloration,(c) waiting an interval;(d) at least at one further point in time, measuring with the color instrument a value of color factor Hunter b in the test subject's skin coloration;(e) at said first point in time and said at least one further point in time measuring with the color measuring instrument values of color factor Hunter L in the test subject's skin coloration: and(f) comparing the values of color factor Hunter b measured at said first point in time and at said at least one further point in time to determine whether there has been exhibited a change therein of a magnitude evidencing the possible onset of said condition for the particular coloration class of the test subject.