Patent ID: 6850633
Filing Date: 2005-02-01
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A medical analysis system for reading and interpreting a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) device, the device having a continuous test area for spreading a fecal sample and adding a developer, wherein the developer is added to the test area containing the sample, the test area reacting with the sample and the developer producing color patches on or around the sample, the system comprising: an image sensor for capturing an image of the entire test area of the FOBT device and for converting the image into a digital data, wherein the image of the entire test area of the FOBT device is captured by the image sensor; and a data processor conventionally coupled to the image sensor, wherein the data processor compares the digital data with predetermined threshold conditions of a positive FOBT by utilizing a spectrographic and morphologic image analysis algorithm and determines a presence of the occult blood in the sample, wherein the image sensor is selected from a group consisting of: charge-coupled devices (CCD), charge injection devices, translational stage and optical scanners, color complementary metallic oxide semiconductors, photovoltaic diode arrays, color video cameras with frame-grabbing software, and photographic film.