Devices and methods for identifying and monitoring changes of a suspect area of a patient

Abstract

A device for acquiring first and subsequent images of a suspect area on a patient and methods for monitoring or detecting changes of the suspect area over time and providing notification when the changes exceed a threshold. The device may be an imaging device, such as a digital camera, possibly augmented with physical or optical devices for arranging the orientation and/or distance of the imaging device with respect to the suspect area. In addition, methods for identifying, relocating, acquiring a first and/or subsequent image of the suspect area, and performing a comparative analysis of respective images are also described. Results of the comparative analysis can be used to notify and/or assist a medical professional in treating or counselling the patient.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of comparing at least two images of a suspect area on a patient, the method comprising:
 providing at least two images of the suspect area;   digitally overlaying the at least two images;   performing a best-fit transformation of one image to encourage the one image to approximately correspond to at least one detected attribute of the other acquired image;   comparing the at least two images to determine whether a difference exists between an aspect of the one image when compared with the same aspect of the other image.   
     
     
         2 .- 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus to acquire an image of a suspect area on a patient, the system comprising:
 an imaging device; and   a separation tool having a first end connected with a first section, at least a portion of the first end formed to contact the patient, the first section having an attachment portion to receive the imaging device, the first section formed to maintain the imaging device at a substantially fixed distance from the suspect area.   
     
     
         11 .- 77 . (canceled) 
     
     
         78 . A method of acquiring an image of a suspect area, the method comprising:
 identifying the suspect area; positioning a patient with the suspect area in approximately a first position;   aligning, in a repeatable manner, an imaging device to acquire an image of the suspect area; wherein the aligning comprises identifying a reference item located on the patient and determining a position of the suspect area in relationship to the reference item;   and acquiring the image after aligning the image device.   
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 78 , wherein positioning a patient with the suspect area in a first position includes placing the patient in a predetermined and repeatable position. 
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 78 , wherein aligning an imaging device to acquire the image includes placing the imaging device in a desired spatial orientation with respect to the suspect area. 
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 78 , wherein aligning an imaging device to acquire the image includes positioning the imaging device at a desired distance from the suspect area. 
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 78 , wherein aligning an imaging device to acquire the image includes aligning the image device based at least in part on information from a sensor coupled with the imaging device. 
     
     
         83 . The method of  claim 78 , further comprising adjusting an aspect affecting the imaging device to enhance a quality of the image. 
     
     
         84 . The method of  claim 83 , wherein adjusting the aspect affecting the imaging device includes attaching a filter to the imaging device. 
     
     
         85 . The method of  claim 83 , wherein adjusting the aspect affecting the imaging device includes adjusting an amount of light in a vicinity of the imaging device. 
     
     
         86 . The method of  claim 78 , wherein acquiring the image is done automatically when the imaging device achieves a desired position. 
     
     
         87 . The method of  claim 78 , further comprising archiving the first image in an electronic format. 
     
     
         88 . The method of  claim 78 , further comprising pre-processing the first image. 
     
     
         89 . The method of  claim 78 , wherein the method further comprises determining one or more parameters selected from (i) a distance separating the imaging device from the suspect area; (ii) an orientation of the imaging device in reference to the suspect area; (iii) a Cartesian coordinate location of the suspect area in reference to a reference object or reference marker; (iv) a color of the suspect area; (v) a distance between two points on the image of the suspect area; (vi) a total perimeter of the suspect area; and (vii) a distance between multiple points on a suspect area. 
     
     
         90 . The method of  claim 78 , wherein identifying a reference item comprises identifying a reference object located on the patient. 
     
     
         91 . The method of  claim 78 , wherein identifying a reference item comprises placing a reference marker on the patient.