Patent Publication Number: US-2011071369-A1

Title: Spot or rash tester

Description:
The present invention relates to a spot or rash tester. 
     Spots or rashes can be symptomatic of certain types of disease. It is a characteristic of some spots or rashes associated with particular illnesses, skin complaints or diseases that when pressure is applied to the spot or rash, its appearance changes. In this specification, the terms spot and rash can be used interchangeably. It is characteristic of rashes associated with other illnesses or diseases that when pressure is applied to the rash, it does not change in appearance. For example, it is known that for a meningococcal septicaemia or meningitis rash, when pressure is applied to the rash, it does not blanch. Such a rash is known as a non-blanching rash. The term “blanch” means to become white or pale or fade in this context—a rash that fades under pressure is said to blanch. Therefore it is known that a convenient test for indicating whether or not a rash is symptomatic of such a disease is to apply pressure to the rash and look for a change in appearance. In particular, adults or parents of children, possibly young children and infants, are advised to use a glass tumbler to apply pressure to a rash and to view the appearance of the rash through the glass tumbler in order to provide an indication as to whether a rash is symptomatic of, for example, meningococcal bacteria which causes meningitis and septicaemia, and immediate medical assessment is required 
     The present invention provides a spot or rash tester as claimed in claim  1 . 
     Advantageously, a rash tester according to this invention comprises testing regions having different profiles. The profiles may be of a different size to each other. A smaller testing region may be more suitable for using upon young children and infants than a larger testing region. A smaller testing region may be more suitable for testing more enclosed areas, or cavity-like areas of a person&#39;s body (such as a neck or armpit). A larger testing region may be more suitable for older children or adults. Also, a larger testing area may be more suitable for testing other areas of the body, for example more open areas such as an arm or a leg. 
     The tester of this invention may include a body portion between the testing regions. When one of the testing regions is being used to test for a rash, the other testing region or the body portion or both the body portion and the other testing region may be used as a handle. This is advantageous over using a tumbler since a dedicated handle is provided and the tester is able to be more stably and consistently held against the skin. This may decrease the likelihood of breakage of the tester, since a curved glass tumbler can be difficult to handle, especially against small or enclosed body parts. 
     The tester of this invention comprises transparent testing regions. In this specification, a transparent testing region is one which is sufficiently transparent to enable a person using the tester to see the rash or spot underneath the testing region such that a determination can be made as to whether its appearance has changed or not to be indicative of a particular disease or other identifiable dermatological spot or rash. This may not require substantially complete transparency as in the case of clear glass, although in some embodiments such complete transparency may be present. 
     A tester according to this invention may be made from a glass material, or it may be made from a more suitable material, such as a plastics material. The tester of this invention may be made from a material which is less likely to shatter than glass when pressure is applied to it. 
     The testing regions may comprise curved or arcuate or smooth profiles. 
    
    
     
       Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIGS. 1   a  to  1   e  show a spot tester according to an embodiment of this invention— FIG. 1   a  is a view from underneath,  FIG. 1   b  is a side view,  FIG. 1   c  is a view from above,  FIG. 1   d  is a view from an end,  FIG. 1   e  is a sectional view from a side taken through the line A-A shown in  FIG. 1   d ; and 
         FIGS. 2   a  to  2   d  show a spot tester according to another embodiment— FIG. 2   a  is a side view,  FIG. 2   b  is a view from above,  FIG. 2   c  is an end view,  FIG. 2   d  shows the views of  FIGS. 2   a  to  2   c  and other perspective views. 
     
    
    
     Referring to  FIGS. 1   a  to  1   d , a spot tester  10  according to an embodiment of this invention comprises a first testing region  12  having a first profile and a second testing region  14  having a second profile. The first profile is different from the second profile. 
     In this embodiment the first profile is smaller than the second profile. In other embodiments the first and second profiles may be the same size. In this embodiment the first profile is of a different shape to the second profile. In other embodiments the first profile and the second profile may be of another shape, or they may be of the same shape or substantially the same shape as each other. 
     In this embodiment, the tester  10  also comprises a body portion  16  between the first testing region  12  and the second testing region  14 . The body portion  16  is generally elongate and can be used to help securely grip and position the tester  10  when it is in use. The first testing region  12 , second testing region  14  and body portion  16  are integrally formed from a transparent plastics material. The plastics material has anti-shatter properties to reduce the likelihood of the tester shattering in the case of excessive pressure being applied to it. 
     Both testing regions  12 ,  14  in this embodiment are substantially smooth, curved surfaces. In this embodiment edges of the testing regions are generally arcuate—the radius of curvature of the edge of the first testing region  12  is about 25 mm in this embodiment. The body portion  16  also has a curved profile. In this embodiment the curved testing regions  12 ,  14  are curved convexly away from the direction of the intended contact with skin of a person being tested. The tester  10  has a saddle-like shape. This shape does not have any protruding features, such as protruding edges or ridges which might stick into a person&#39;s body and cause discomfort while they are being tested. Therefore the testing regions  12 ,  14  are more easily used in tight spaces. In other embodiments, other shapes and sizes of testing regions can be used—such shapes and sizes will be apparent to the skilled person in view of the disclosure of this invention. 
     In use, the first testing region  12  is useful in testing spots in more difficult to access locations, such as in armpits or around the neck of an infant. The smaller, first testing region  12  is also more useful when testing the skin of infants or small children. 
     The larger second testing region  14  is useful in testing more open areas, such as an arm or a leg (of an infant or a larger child or adult). The second testing region  14  has a larger surface area, which may make the appearance of a spot or rash under pressure easier to see and so it can be preferable if the larger testing region  14  is used if possible. If it is not possible, then the first testing region  12  is a very useful alternative. 
     In other embodiments more than two testing regions may be provided—for example a tester having testing regions all of different shapes and sizes may be provided, or a tester having some testing regions of the same size, but different shapes (as appropriate to a particular body part) may be provided, or a tester having testing regions of the same shapes, but different sizes may be provided. 
     The tester may be between 6 cm and 20 cm long. The radius of curvature of the smaller testing region may be between 0.5 cm and 3 cm (for example 1 cm). The radius of curvature of the larger testing region may be between 1.5 cm and 10 cm (for example, 5 cm). 
     The tester  10  comprises a generally elongate tester so it is easily and comfortably held in the hand of a user. The length of the tester  10  is about 163 mm in this embodiment. 
     The tester  10  includes a thermometer  18 . In this embodiment the thermometer is a contact thermometer arranged to measure the temperature of a person via contact with, for example, the forehead. The thermometer  18  is provided at the body portion  16  of the tester  10  so that it does not interfere with, or get damaged by, use of the testing portions  12 ,  14  when testing rashes. 
     In this embodiment the thermometer  18  is detachably attached to the tester  10 . Attachment means  20  in the form of a snap-fit attachment is provided on the body portion  16  so that the thermometer  18  or a replacement thermometer  18  can be easily removed or added to the body portion  16 , for example if it is required to be replaced following damage. 
     In other embodiments, the thermometer may be attached to different means, or at a different location on the tester  10 . In yet further embodiments, the thermometer  18  may be integrally formed with the tester  10 . 
     In some embodiments an infra-red thermometer is used. Infra-red thermometers provide quick body temperature readings. In other embodiments an electronic or digital thermometer may be used. The thermometer may be a tympanic thermometer or an axilla thermometer. In some embodiments the thermometer is integrally attached to the tester—in other embodiments the thermometer is detachable from the rest of the tester. In other embodiments the tester does not include a thermometer. The decision as to whether to use a digital or an infra-red thermometer may be based upon accuracy requirements. 
     The tester  10  also includes an integrally formed magnifier  22 . The tester  10  and magnifier  22  are integrally formed from a transparent plastics material. The magnifier is used as a general purpose magnifier, e.g. to magnify moles or splinters or any other features of interest. In this way a very useful multi-purpose spot tester is provided. 
     In use, a person, for example a parent, selects an appropriate testing region  12  or  14  to test a spot on themselves, or on another person, such as a child. The testing region to be used is selected on the basis of the one that provides the most suitable shape or size or combination of shape and size or other profile characteristics for the particular body part of the particular person to be tested. Assuming the body part is a relatively open body part, such as a surface of the thigh, the individual or parent may select the larger testing region  14 . As previously mentioned, this will have the extra advantage over the smaller testing region  12  of having a larger surface area over which to view the spot under pressure. However the smaller testing region can be used in this situation if favoured for some reason. 
     The individual or parent then presses the selected testing region  14  against the relevant spot or rash. If it is found that this testing region  14  is in fact too large, or of the wrong shape, then the other testing region  12  can be used. Similarly if the testing region  12  had been selected initially it is apparent that a larger or differently shaped testing region could be used, then the individual or parent may decide to switch from using the smaller testing region to using the larger testing region. 
     The appearance of the spot should be noted prior to pressing the testing region against it, and when the pressing action is performed, the spot should be monitored to check whether its appearance changes under pressure (e.g. whether it blanches, becomes white, pale or fades to usual skin colour) or whether its appearance does not significantly change to suggest non-blanching. From the result, a determination of whether or not a disease, such as meningococcal bacteria which causes meningitis and septicaemia, is suspected can be made. A combination of shape, size and material of the tester  10  makes it easier to handle than a glass tumbler, makes the pressing action more comfortable for the person pressing and the person being pressed and also provides a tester which is less likely to break or shatter due to excessive force being applied. 
     If the large testing region  14  is being used for testing, the small testing region  12 , or the body portion  16 , or a combination of both  12 ,  14  can be used as a handle due to their ergonomic profiles. As a result the tester  10  can be securely gripped without exerting undue excessive force. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2   a  to  2   d , there is shown a spot tester  30  similar to the spot tester  10  in that it has first  32  and second  34  testing regions separated by a body portion  36 . The tester  30  of this embodiment does not include a thermometer, but does include a magnifier  38 . 
     In further embodiments the tester may include a thermometer but not a magnifier. In further embodiments the tester may include neither a thermometer nor a magnifier. 
     In one embodiment, the entire tester is formed of a plastic Fresnel lens material, which acts as a magnifier. The tester of this embodiment is flexible. Therefore all portions are provided with magnifying and viewing capability. 
     In some embodiments the tester comprises a camera arranged to capture an image at the or each or any one or more of the testing regions. There may be a camera designated to each testing region. In some embodiments there is a display provided on the tester. In some embodiments the camera readout is sent to a remote display—for example via a data transfer connection on the tester, such as a USB port provided on the tester. Other suitable forms of data transfer connection will be apparent to the skilled person. The data transfer may be wireless in some embodiments. In some embodiments the tester comprises a data capture button—this may be provided at or near or adjacent to one of the testing regions. In this way, the button should be conveniently located in an area which is held by a user when the tester is being used. More than one such button may be provided. 
     In some embodiments, a measurement mechanism is provided and arranged so that a user can objectively measure the size of a spot being tested. Usefully, the user can then check whether the spot is changing in size (growing or shrinking) over time. The measurement mechanism might be in the form of graduations provided on the tester at the, each, or any one or more of the testing regions. The graduations may be dots, notches or other such simple markings, or may be in the form of concentric circles, possibly centred at the centre of the relevant testing region. 
     In embodiments where there is both a camera and a measurement mechanism, it may be possible for the spot size to be determined automatically by a processor which is able to receive data associated with the camera readout. 
     Various modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from its scope. For example more than two testing regions may be provided in order to provide more combinations of shape, size or both. Different materials may be used to form the tester. The tester may not be integrally formed—different materials may be used to form different parts of the tester. A body portion may be differently shaped or sized. The body portion may not be present at all. 
     In some embodiments the tester comprises a magnifier arranged to magnify a region of interest, e.g. the or each testing region. In some embodiments the magnifier is provided integrally with the rest of the tester, for example by forming the region of interest from a different shape, dimensions or material such that the view of the region being tested is magnified and any spot or rash being tested can be more easily identified as being blanching or non-blanching. In another embodiment the magnifier comprises magnifying means which may be in the form of a magnifying window placed near or adjacent to the testing region to magnify the view of the testing region. 
     In other embodiments the tester comprises a magnifier arranged away from the region of interest. Such a magnifier may be used as a general purpose magnifier, e.g. to magnify moles or splinters or any other feature under inspection. 
     In some embodiments the tester comprises a light source arranged to illuminate the spot or rash of interest. The light source may comprise a battery operated light source. The light source may be operated completely or partially by solar power. The battery is preferably a small battery, e.g. a watch battery. The light source may be partially or completely operated by mains electricity power. The light source may be integrally attached to the tester, or in other embodiments may be removably attached to the tester. Illuminating the spot or rash may provide a better view of it such that a better judgement of whether it is blanching or non-blanching can be made.