Abstract:
A system for capturing, storing and comparing dermatological images includes two components, namely, a handheld exam control and a patient interface. The handheld exam control includes a camera, display screen, illuminator and a position sensor. The patient interface includes a patient position template and a position sensor interface. The system captures an image sequence and the precise location of each image. Images may be compared to previous images by a clinician.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This patent document claims priority to earlier filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/303,535, filed Mar. 4, 2016, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to an improved method and system for the acquisition of high-resolution video images of the skin, archiving and viewing of the video images, and a way to compare acquired images. More particularly, the present invention pertains to methods of using such a system to monitor skin conditions using previous images from a patient database to perform comparisons of the acquired image data. 
         [0003]    In the field of dermatology, it is necessary to have a way by which to capture skin conditions and a way to monitor those conditions over time. Monitoring may be performed by a skilled professional using a careful procedure to evaluate skin surfaces by eye and may include capturing a series of photographs of specific regions. This helps to track changes to the skin for better diagnosis of any problems with the skin. A carefully planned and executed procedure is important when capturing photographs of the skin, as many factors may contribute to the way a still image appears; this is of particular interest when subsequent photos are captured and used for comparison. The existing art does not capture the position where a particular image was taken. 
         [0004]    This system improves upon the prior art by combining a camera, illumination source, and position sensor to capture an image and know the precise and absolute position and scale of the image that was captured. 
         [0005]    In view of the foregoing, there is a demand for a system and method that can precisely determine the absolute position of where an image was taken of the skin. 
         [0006]    There is a demand for a system and method that can determine the scale of the image that was captured. 
         [0007]    There is a demand or a system and method that can accurately track the changes to the condition of the skin over time for medical purposes. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    To accomplish the features of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for capturing high-resolution images of the skin comprising: a patient interface and a handheld exam control which may be used by dermatologists or other medical professionals interested in capturing high-resolution images of skin surfaces; said handheld exam controller combining a fixed-focus camera with a laser projector and a wired or wireless position sensor, a way to synchronize laser projector illumination with camera frame-capture, a way to determine the absolute position of the camera, and a way to determine scale. 
         [0009]    The present invention also relates to a way to retrieve a past skin image or images based on position data in a new capture, and a way to create a new skin capture based on position data in an existing image. 
         [0010]    Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide system and method that can precisely determine the absolute position of where an image was taken of the skin. 
         [0011]    A further object is to provide a system and method that can determine the scale of the image that was captured. 
         [0012]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method that accurately tracks the changes to the condition of the skin over time for medical purposes. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         [0013]    Other objects, features and advantages of the invention shall become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings, in which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1A  is a system block diagram illustrating the DermaMap skin-mapping system; 
           [0015]      FIG. 1B  is a block diagram illustrating the components of the Handheld Exam Control for the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating the components of the Patient Interface for the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating an example of typical use of the DermaMap skin-mapping device; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating a typical Capture sequence for the DermaMap skin-mapping device; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating an example of the Compare process for the DermaMap skin-mapping device; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating the View playback process for the DermaMap skin-mapping device. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    By combining a camera, illumination source, and position sensor to capture images of the skin, the absolute position and the scale of a captured image can be determined with accuracy. 
         [0022]      FIG. 1A  shows a top-level overview of the entire DermaMap system. The handheld exam control  10  is used to capture video images (frames) of a patient&#39;s skin to create a record of the condition of the skin and make it possible to track changes that may occur over time. The exam control captures images in a manner that synchronizes frame capture and laser illumination, while the patient  13  is situated on the patient interface  12  according to the patient image capture procedure. Communication occurs between the handheld exam control and the patient interface. Requests for position data  11  are sent from the handheld to the patient interface and responses containing the position data  14  are returned from the patient interface back to the exam control. The result of this communication is that the absolute position is reported and stored for each frame. A wired or wireless network  15  is used to send acquired images with position data to an external storage device  16 . Stored images can be retrieved via a wired or wireless network  15  and position data can be accessed to capture new images of the exact same location on a patient&#39;s skin. 
         [0023]    It should be understood that the position data collected and stored using known computer equipment that includes a microprocessor, memory, storage, I/O ports, power source and other components found in a computer device. The storage device may be a hard drive, solid state, optical drive or the like. The captured images and collected position data are accordingly stored in such storage device. The computer equipment may or may not be connected to a network, such as the Internet, to facilitate access and storage of the data therein. 
         [0024]    The handheld exam control, shown in  FIG. 1B  has a position sensor  101 , display  102 , laser projector (illumination source)  103  and a camera  104 . The handheld exam control is used with the patient interface, representationally shown in  FIG. 2 . The patient interface has a support surface and a position sensor interface,  201 , that communicates with the position sensor  101  on the exam control to determine the absolute position of captured images. The patient position templates  202  and  203  on a support surface of platform  200  are used to help position the patient for optimal image capture. 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  illustrates an overview of use of the skin-mapping device and system  1  of the present invention. The patient interface is turned on at step  300 , activating the position sensor interface. At step  301 , the handheld exam controller is turned on, activating the position sensor. At  302 , the patient session begins. A patient session includes: homing the handheld exam controller at step  303 ; pressing the trigger to start capture at step  304 ; pressing the trigger a second time to end capture at step  305 ; and viewing the captured video at step  306 . 
         [0026]    Turning now to  FIG. 4 , the capture sequence is initiated when the trigger is pressed in step  400 . A laser (illumination) pattern is projected from the handheld exam control onto the patient&#39;s skin at step  401  and an odd video frame is captured at step  402 . At step  403 , an unpatterned colored light is projected from the handheld exam control onto the patient&#39;s skin and an even video frame is captured at step  404 . At step  405 , the position of the pair of captured images is recorded and save using the computer equipment. If the trigger is still pressed, the sequence will proceed and steps  401  through  405  will be repeated in sequence until the trigger on the handheld exam controller is up in the off position and the capture sequence ends at step  406 . 
         [0027]    Next, the camera is synchronized to the laser illumination source, the illumination pattern is always displayed on the skin when odd frames are captured and the colored illumination light is always displayed on the skin when even frames are captured. Captured video frames and absolute position data allow this data to be used after it is acquired. Images may be stored for comparison using computer software. The distance, perspective or angle, and camera rotation relative to the patient are all factors that need to be accounted for. The odd video frames, captured using an illumination pattern, can be used to determine this information. The size of elements in the pattern is used to determine the scale of the video and therefore determine the size of any skin lesions in the video. 
         [0028]      FIG. 5  illustrates the compare function of the present invention. The compare function can be used to repeat an image capture using absolute position information from a previous image capture. In step  500 , the trigger is pressed and the actual location is compared to the location in the previous image capture. In step  501 , the unpatterned colored light is projected from the handheld exam control onto the patient&#39;s skin. In step  502 , the laser pattern is projected onto a patient&#39;s skin and the actual distance between the handheld exam controller and the patient is compared to the image scale in the previous image capture. In step  503 , the actual position is compared to the position location in the previous image capture and adjustments are made. In step  504 , image capture takes place. When the trigger is pressed in step  506 , a laser (illumination) pattern is projected from the handheld exam control onto the patient&#39;s skin at step  507  and an odd video frame is captured at step  508 . At step  509 , an unpatterned colored light is projected from the handheld exam control onto the patient&#39;s skin and an even video frame is captured at step  510 . At step  511 , the position of the pair of captured images is recorded. If the trigger is still pressed, the sequence will proceed and steps  507  through  511  will be repeated in sequence until the trigger on the handheld exam controller is up in the off position and the capture sequence ends at step  512 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 6  illustrates how captured video is played back. In step  600 , video playback is initiated. In step  601 , the even video frames are displayed in order until they have all been displayed; once the last even frame is displayed, playback stops at step  602 . 
         [0030]    With the present invention, past skin image or images, based on position data in a new capture can be achieved. Also, a new skin capture based on position data in an existing image is possible. The system and method of the present invention can precisely determine the absolute position of where an image was taken of the skin as well as the sale of the image that was captured. As a result, changes to the condition of the skin over time for medical purposes can be tracked. 
         [0031]    It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be covered by the appended claims.