Contact thermo-optical structure and its application for non-invasive imaging of histamine-induced hyperthermal subcutaneous reaction magnitude in cutaneous allergic reaction, recording device and method of allergic reaction diagnosis

Abstract

A passive planar thermo-optical structure for detection of a region of changed temperature on patient's skin is provided. The thermo-optical structure has a layered structure including a transparent film layer, a thermochromic layer, a securing layer, an adhesive layer, and a protective layer. At least one dye in the thermochromic layer is above a temperature threshold range of 31°-37° C., which adopts the first colour and keeps it in a temperature range greater than or equal to 0.6° C. A width of this temperature range, in which the colour is indefinite, is smaller than 0.3° C. A method of diagnosing allergy using the above-structure is provided. The method includes the steps of stimulation, measurement and comparison. After stimulating three regions of patient's skin, an evaluation of extent of histamine reaction is performed. Then, the extent of histamine reaction in the third region is compared to that in the first and second regions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A recording device, comprising:
 a central unit;   a housing for separating an area of measurement on a surface of a patient's skin from an external light; and   a digital camera for acquisition of a thermographic color image displayed on a screen of a contact dual-range passive thermo-optical converter apparatus, which is adhered onto the patient's skin;   wherein the recording device is provided with an ambient temperature measuring means and with a patient's skin temperature measuring means, both of which are connected to the central unit, and a standardized light source for illuminating the screen of the contact dual-range passive thermo-optical converter apparatus, and the housing is internally covered with a light absorbing layer.   
     
     
         2 . The recording device according to  claim 1 , wherein the standardized light source is a white composite LED source. 
     
     
         3 . The recording device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a remote communication interface where the central unit is adapted to transmit an image from the digital camera to another device via said remote communication interface.   
     
     
         4 . The recording device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an additional display means where the central unit is adapted to output via said additional display means the color thermographic image and information on a measured patient's skin temperature over an allergy testing area to identify a focal allergic hyperthermia associated with an allergen's application.   
     
     
         5 . The recording device according to  claim 1 , wherein the contact dual-range passive thermo-optical converter apparatus has a layered structure and comprises, in sequence:
 a transparent film layer which is a base polymer foil;   a thermochromic layer;   a securing layer; and   an adhesive layer;   wherein a portion of a surface of the transparent film layer has at least one screen, and the thermochromic layer forms at least two planar thermosensitive detectors containing at least two thermochromic dyes.   
     
     
         6 . The recording device according to  claim 5 , wherein:
 a first planar thermosensitive detector comprises a thermochromic dye capable of changing its color by selective reflection of a light beam as a function of temperature within a first range of 32.5° C.-34.3° C.;   a second planar thermosensitive detector comprises a thermochromic dye capable of changing its color by selective reflection of a light beam as a function of temperature within a second range of 34.4° C.-36.1° C., and   each of the thermochromic dyes selected for forming the first planar thermosensitive detector and the second planar thermosensitive detector are able to produce a primary color from a red-green-blue spectrum by selective reflection of a light beam in a temperature range from 0.3° C. to 0.6° C., before switching to another primary color along with a temperature change.