Optoelectronic Device for The Detection of Uterine Cervical Cancer, Comprising A Self-Positioning Attachment

Abstract

The disclosure is directed to a minimally-invasive diagnostic device for Papanicolaou testing and for an alternative examination method for taking a cell sample. The portable device analyzes cervical tissue using simultaneous electrical and optical measurements. The device examines different areas of cervical tissue, taking electrical measurements in different frequency ranges and optical measurements in three different wavelengths. Once obtained, the measurements are processed in accordance with mathematical formulae obtained from multiple measurements of healthy and cancerous tissues. Three possible responses can be obtained: healthy tissue, cancerous tissue, or the presence of human papilloma virus. A device attachment permits use of the device for self-detection after determining proximity to the cervix, and also includes an accessory for performing the alternative method of taking a cell sample for laboratory analysis to obtain an immediate response for use by the user or another person.

1 . A portable device for detecting uterine cervical cancer by means of simultaneous electrical and optical measurements, characterized by comprising five parts:
 a) a casing inside of which it is located the whole electronic part of the system consisting of a printed card containing the necessary LEDs for optical measurement, as well the photodiodes for receiving the luminous reflection from the cells; also containing a microcontroller which sends the signals for electrical stimulation, which is amplified by operational amplifiers for then stimulating the cells; the microcontroller or configurable circuit receives the signals from the diodes and electrodes for performing an analog-to-digital conversion and interpreting the measurements;   b) a test tube containing the fiber optics wiring needed for transmitting the light outputs and inputs;   c) a set of output and input optic fibers placed on the test tube tip and also gold electrodes which generate current and take measurements;   d) a positioning attachment;   e) a sample collecting attachment.   
     
     
         2 . The portable device for detecting uterine cervical cancer by means of simultaneous electrical and optical measurements according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the test tube is preferably about 4.0-7.0 mm. diameter, with four gold electrodes of 0.8-1.2 mm. diameter, spaced each other by a middle circle of 1.5-2.0 mm., applying a peak to peak current between 10 μA and 1 mA for an effective measurement. 
     
     
         3 . The portable device for detecting uterine cervical cancer by means of simultaneous electrical and optical measurements according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the fibers are sandwiched in an epoxy resin which protects the wiring throughout the test tube, and in the middle of a disposable cover. 
     
     
         4 . The portable device for detecting uterine cervical cancer by means of simultaneous electrical and optical measurements according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the epoxy resin is manufactured from a sterilizable plastics material. 
     
     
         5 . The portable device for detecting uterine cervical cancer by means of simultaneous electrical and optical measurements according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the electronic card is connected to one or more outer LEDs indicating the result. 
     
     
         6 . The portable device for detecting uterine cervical cancer by means of simultaneous electrical and optical measurements according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the electronic part is a printed card containing LEDs, photodiodes, microcontroller or configurable circuit and operational amplifiers. 
     
     
         7 . The portable device for detecting uterine cervical cancer by means of simultaneous electrical and optical measurements according to  claim 1 , characterized by containing a positioning attachment, which serves as a guide for easily locating the cervix, and consists of a circular member in the shape of a diaphragm, including an internal concave surface, an external surface, a bore on its center portion and a flexible plastic tube with a first end joined to a center portion of the diaphragm shaped circular member matching the center bore thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The portable device for detecting uterine cervical cancer by means of simultaneous electrical and optical measurements according to  claim 1 , characterized by containing a cervix sample collecting attachment consisting of cytological brushes which utilize, as a guide for obtaining the samples, a positioning attachment which serves as a guide for easily locating the cervix and consists of a circular member in the shape of a diaphragm, including an internal concave surface, an external surface, a bore on its center portion and a flexible plastic tube with a first end joined to a center portion of the diaphragm shaped circular member matching the center bore thereof; said sample collecting attachment consisting of a solid, rigid plastic sample collecting tube having a diameter lesser than the rigid guide member, having a first and second end, wherein the second end includes a plastic ring as an auxiliary grip which allows to easily handle and rotate the sample collection rigid tube, and preferably using three cytological scraping brushes equidistantly joined to the first end of the rigid tube. 
     
     
         9 . A method of controlling a portable device for performing measurements and calculating the condition of a tissue, characterized by outputting a current to the tissue, measuring the voltage through the tissue, calculating the impedance and saving the result; emitting different wavelength lights using LEDs, measuring tissue luminescence and saving the result; calculating the condition of the tissue based on mathematical formulae, and lighting up a LED depending on the generated result; the readings from the measurements are compared to mathematical formulae programmed in the device in real time; said mathematical formulae consider the impedance and luminance which are normally obtained from the taken measurements; the obtained value is compared in the central processing unit and is classified as normal (green LED) or abnormal (yellow or red LED); in the case of the optical measurement, three different wavelengths are output and the luminance with which each of them returns is received; because the size of the test tube is so reduced the transmission is done throughout the whole test tube by means of fiber optics, these fibers being connected to the three LEDs for outputting the signal, whereas for performing the reading there is a photodiode also connected to the fiber optics, then the signal is digitalized and the comparison is made, thus subsequently sending the signal whether normal or abnormal for displaying the final result to the user by means of LEDs.