Patent Publication Number: US-2013245458-A1

Title: System and method for diagnosing and treating disease

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/438,003, filed on Apr. 9, 2012, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/612,575 filed on Mar. 19, 2012. This application also claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. Nos. 61/650,401 and 61/650,429, both filed on May 22, 2012. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a system and method for diagnosing disease, such as cancer or bacterial infection. The invention relates to a method where an individual takes a high resolution photograph of a wound or diseased area of the body using a camera connected to an endoscope, or via an X-ray or MRI, sends the photograph to a computer where it is magnified and enhanced, and software in the computer then searches a database containing a library of diseases to find a match. Once a match has been found, the software can search a more specialized database pertaining to the disease that has been identified, and can send a diagnosis to a doctor or to an individual for treating the disease or infection. The entire process takes place in real time, so that the doctor can obtain the diagnosis during the procedure or while the patient is still in the office or hospital. 
     2. The Prior Art 
     Photographic databases of diseased cells and bacteria are in use today to help doctors and scientists diagnose illness and infection. In most situations, the scientist or laboratory worker places the cells on a slide under a microscope and takes a photograph of the cells under magnification. These cells can then be compared to the various photographs of similar cells in the database to help diagnose the illness. On example of this can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,911,139 to Jain et al., the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. Jain et al. describes a system for matching a photograph of cells taken under a microscope with photographs in a database. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,756,309 to Gholap et al., the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference, also describes a system for indexing and matching medical images in a database. 
     However, neither of these references teach a method in which in vivo injuries or illnesses can be quickly and remotely diagnosed and treated, without the use of slides and microscopes. 
     United States Patent Application Serial No. 2007/0015989 to Desai discusses connecting a camera of an endoscope to a computer having a database of photos to match to the images on the endoscope to assist the physician in diagnosing disease. However, Desai refers to only a single database installed on the computer, and does not allow for enhancement or enlargement of the image to allow for better diagnoses. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a system and method for diagnosing illness or infection in real time. 
     The present invention comprises a method and system for diagnosing and treating infection or disease, in which an individual takes a photograph of an infected or diseased area of a body using a high definition camera connected to a microprocessor and communication device. The camera could be incorporated into a smartphone or into a medical instrument such an endoscope, or could be an X-ray machine, MRI machine or other type of imaging apparatus. The camera or imaging apparatus is equipped to take very high resolution images that can be enlarged to a degree where individual cells and bacteria can be discerned. The image is then sent to a computer having a microprocessor equipped with image enhancing software. The software can enlarge and enhance the image to the point where individual cells, bacteria or other microscopic structures can be seen. The image is preferably enhanced up to 1000× to achieve the required degree of detail. The software can also layer photographs to enhance their resolution when enlarged. The software could also create virtual staining on the image, to enhance its resolution. The software could also be equipped to create a three-dimensional image of a body part as well. 
     The enhanced image is then scanned and compared to an initial database in the computer or accessible by the computer, which then categorizes the image based on the medical condition shown, for example, skin cancer, bacterial infection, etc. Additional software in the computer then searches for a database related to the category shown, and conducts a search of images in the second database that match the image obtained from the camera or imaging apparatus. The second database could be installed on the computer, or accessible over the internet. 
     To cut down on the amount of searching required, the user can also specify a particular type of disease or enter other pertinent data, to narrower the search to a particular group of diseases or injuries. If no match is found in the initial database, the microprocessor can then prompt the physician to enter more detailed information, such as fever or other symptoms, to help narrow down the field. 
     If a match is found in the second database, the microprocessor then notes the disease or bacteria corresponding to the matching photograph and communicates this to the physician by displaying the matching photographs and identification data on a display device connected the computer. The display device could be a computer monitor or could be holographic. The communication could also be verbal, via computer generated voice instructions. If an endoscope is being used, the display could also be projected onto the lens of the scope or onto glasses worn by the physician, so that the physician does not have to even look up from the scope to obtain the information. Any suitable means of displaying or conveying the information could be used. 
     The present invention provides an instantaneous method for diagnosing and injury, illness and infection. The present invention enhances a medical procedure, for example endoscopy, by immediately informing the physician about the type of disease located, and allows the physician to continue scanning until all diseased areas have been located and excised. 
     To assist in identification of the disease, a dye can be applied to the infected or diseased area prior to photographing it. Alternatively, the dye could be applied via computer enhancement of the image. In addition, a video could also be taken of the infected or diseased area. The video would show the behavior of the bacteria or microorganisms in the wound. For example, if the specific pathogen cannot be seen, the video could show the rapid deterioration of the cells, thus indicating a certain type of bacterial or viral infection. The database could also contain video recordings of similar infections for comparison as well. 
     The software connected to the microprocessor could also be equipped to notify various government and health agencies if certain types of diseases have been identified. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention. 
       In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views: 
         FIG. 1  shows a schematic drawing of the system according to the invention in use for treating a patient; 
         FIG. 2  shows a flow diagram of the method steps according to the invention; 
         FIG. 3  shows a drawing of a treatment plan according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  shows the system according to the invention used with an endoscope; and 
         FIG. 5  shows a diagnosis being displayed holographically. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now in detail to the drawings,  FIG. 1  shows a patient  1  with an infected wound  2 . An individual  3  treating patient  1  has an individual microprocessor such as a mobile smart phone  4  with a built-in camera  5 . Camera  5  is adapted to take very high-resolution photographs that can be enlarged to show individual cells and/or bacteria. To treat patient  1 , individual  3  takes a photograph of wound  2  using camera  5  in mobile phone  4 . The camera  5  could also be connected to a hard-wired microprocessor in a clinical setting. This microprocessor could also be connected with magnification equipment such as an endoscope, which can magnify the diseased area prior to taking the photograph. The photograph is then sent by the individual via text message or email to a server  6  via having a communication device  7 , such as a modem. Server  6  is equipped with a microprocessor  8 , which can scan the received photograph, and using software installed on server  6 , enlarge and enhance the photograph to see the individual cells and bacteria of wound  2 . Microprocessor  8  then searches initial database  9 , which contains photographs of many different diseases, to find a match to the photograph sent by individual  3 . This search can be conducted with any suitable visual matching software, such as those discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,911,139 and 7,756,309, the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference. Once a match has been found, the microprocessor  8  searches database  19 , which is a specialized database correlated to the identification made from database  9 . If no match is found, the system notifies individual  3 , and prompts individual  3  for further information about the disease being searched. Microprocessor  8  can then use this extra information to continue a search in database  9  to find the closest match, which is then used to locate the proper database  19  for conducting the second search. 
     If a match is made to a particular disease in database  19 , the microprocessor then searches database  19  for a suitable treatment plan, which correlates with the photograph in database  19  that matches the photograph sent by individual  3 . Once a treatment plan has been identified, it is sent via communication device  6  to mobile telephone  4  for use in treating patient  1 . 
     In one embodiment, the treatment plan involves exposing the wound  2  to a wavelength of light that will kill any bacteria in wound  2 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , microprocessor  8  sends a software application  12  to mobile phone  4 , which generates such a light beam  11 . 
       FIG. 2  shows the method steps according to one embodiment of the invention. In step  100 , a dye is applied to an infected or diseased area of the body, to enhance the visual resolution of the infected or diseased area. In step  110 , a photograph is taken of the infected or diseased area using a smartphone having a built in camera, or using a camera connected to another type of microprocessor, such as a personal computer. Instead of or in addition to the photograph, a video showing the behavior of infected cells could also be taken. 
     In step  120 , the photograph is sent by text message or email to a diagnosing center having a server with a microprocessor and a database of photographs correlated with different diseases and infections. In step  130 , the photograph is enlarged and enhanced via software installed on the microprocessor so that individual cells or bacteria can be seen in the enhanced photograph. 
     In step  140 , the enhanced photograph is compared with the photographs in the database to identify the disease or infection, using visual comparison software. In step  145 , if a disease or infection is identified, the enhanced photograph is then compared to photographs in a second, specialized database that is specifically directed to the identified disease from step  140 . If no disease can be identified in step  140 , the individual can be asked to provide additional information about the disease to be searched in step  146 . This information is then used to look at first database again in an attempt to identify the disease or infection. Once the disease or infection has been identified, the microprocessor searches the second database for a suggested treatment in step  150 . In step  160 , the microprocessor automatically sends information regarding the suggested treatment to the individual&#39;s mobile phone or microprocessor. The treatment information could also be displayed holographically. For example, if the camera is connected to an endoscope, the treatment could be projected onto the lens of the endoscope so that the physician would not need to look up from the procedure to obtain the necessary information. 
       FIG. 4  shows how the invention would operate using a camera connected to an endoscope. Endoscope  40  has a shaft  41  connected to a camera  43 , which can record video and still images seen through shaft  41 . The video and still images are transmitted to microprocessor  45  via cable  44 . The video and still images can also be displayed on display screen  46 . Microprocessor  45  is connected to a communication device  47 , which can be a modem. As with the embodiment in  FIG. 1 , the images obtained by camera  1  can be compared to an initial database stored inside a database connected to microprocessor  45 , and if a match is found, then sent to a second database, accessible over the Internet, for a more refined diagnosis. Once the final diagnosis has been made, the diagnosis and possible treatments are sent back to the physician, and can be displayed on display  46 , or can be communicated in another manner, such as by voice or holographically onto an eyepiece or lenses  50  worn by the physician, such as shown in  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 5  shows a holographic message  51  being projected onto glasses  50 , which can be worn by the physician during the procedure, so that the physician does not have to look away from the procedure to receive the diagnosis. The holographic message  51  could also be projected onto a lens of a microscope, or the endoscope, or even onto a wall or other surface. 
     Accordingly, while only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is obvious that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.