System and method for remote colorimetry and ratiometric comparison and quantification in analysis of medical test results

Abstract

A system for providing colorimetric and ratiometric comparison and quantification for medical test results, comprising a testing device including an alignment target and including a plurality of immunoassay test strips, the plurality of immunoassay test strips each including a test line and a control line, and a colorimetry device configured to operate with a mobile device, the mobile device including a camera and a software application stored thereon, wherein the software application provides executable instructions to detect color properties of a color of the test line and a color of a control line of at least one of the plurality of immunoassay test strips, determine a risk value for each of at least one disease risks tested using the biologic sample, wherein the risk value is a rating determined from the color properties of the color of the test line, and provide medical test results based on the risk value.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for providing colorimetric and ratiometric comparison and quantification for medical test results, comprising:
 a colorimetry device configured to operate with a mobile device, wherein the colorimetry device includes:
 one or more light sources configured to emit a first wavelength of light onto at least a test line of at least one immunoassay test strip of a testing device, wherein the testing device is configured to receive a biologic sample, and 
 a color filter configured to be disposed between the testing device and the mobile device, wherein the color filter includes a clamp that presses against a back of the mobile device to maintain the color filter over a lens of a camera of the mobile device; and 
   the mobile device including a viewing screen and a software application stored thereon, wherein the software application provides executable instructions to:
 capture an image of the testing device, including receiving, by the camera, a second wavelength of light, different from the first wavelength of light, that is passed through the color filter after reflection off the at least one immunoassay test strip, 
 detect color properties of a color of the test line and a color of a control line of the at least one immunoassay test strip, 
 transmit the image and the color properties to a server, and 
 provide medical test results. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the colorimetry device includes a light apparatus configured to emit a light of a predefined color onto the testing device. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the colorimetry device includes a light box apparatus, wherein the light box apparatus includes:
 a body, wherein the one or more light sources are disposed within the body;   a platform for placing the testing device; and   a window disposed over the platform on a top panel of the body for viewing the testing device.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the step of capturing the image includes disposing the mobile device over the window of the light box apparatus. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the window of the light box apparatus includes the color filter. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the software application further provides executable instructions to:
 assign values to the first wavelength of light and the second wavelength of light; and   determine whether a color shift occurred between the first wavelength of light and the second wavelength of light based on the assigned values.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one immunoassay test strip includes one or more fluorescent dye indicators. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a third wavelength of light is reflected off the at least one immunoassay test strip and is received by the color filter. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the software application further provides executable instructions to:
 receive a selected test from among a plurality of test options; and   issue a notification concerning use of the colorimetry device and instructions regarding configuration of the colorimetry device, for display to a user on the viewing screen, wherein the notification includes information particular to the selected test and a recommendation for configuring the colorimetry device for use with the selected test.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the testing device includes thereon an alignment target, and wherein the software application further provides executable instructions to:
 present on the viewing screen of the mobile device an alignment graphic to be aligned with the alignment target of the testing device;   detect when an alignment of the alignment graphic and the alignment target has taken place; and   capture the image of the testing device in response to detecting the alignment of the alignment graphic and the alignment target.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the software application further provides executable instructions to:
 determine a risk value, as at least a portion of the medical test results, for each of at least one disease risk tested using the biologic sample, wherein the risk value is a rating determined from the color properties of the color of a test line of the testing device.   
     
     
         12 . A method for providing colorimetric and ratiometric comparison and quantification for medical test results, comprising:
 collecting at least one biologic sample by a testing device;   providing a software application to be stored on a mobile device, the mobile device including a camera and a viewing screen;   providing a colorimetry device configured to operate with the mobile device, wherein the colorimetry device includes:
 one or more light sources configured to emit a first wavelength of light onto at least a test line of at least one immunoassay test strip of the testing device, and 
 a color filter configured to be disposed between the testing device and the mobile device, wherein the color filter includes a clamp that presses against a back of the mobile device to maintain the color filter over a lens of the camera of the mobile device; 
   capturing an image of the testing device, including receiving, by the camera, a second wavelength of light, different from the first wavelength of light, that is passed through the color filter after reflection off the at least one immunoassay test strip;   detecting color properties of a color of the test line and a color of a control line of at least one immunoassay test strip;   transmitting the image and the color properties to a server; and   providing medical test results.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the colorimetry device includes a light apparatus configured to emit a light of a color onto the testing device. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the colorimetry device includes a light box apparatus, wherein the light box apparatus includes:
 a body;   one or more lights disposed within the body;   a platform for placing the testing device; and   a window disposed over the platform on a top panel of the body for viewing the testing device.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of capturing the image includes disposing the mobile device over the window of the light box apparatus. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the window of the light box apparatus includes the color filter. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 assigning values to the first wavelength of light and the second wavelength of light; and   determining whether a color shift occurred between the first wavelength of light and the second wavelength of light based on the assigned values.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one immunoassay test strip includes one or more fluorescent dye indicators. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 receiving a test selection via the software application; and   issuing by the software application a notification concerning use of the colorimetry device and instructions regarding configuration of the colorimetry device.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 presenting on the viewing screen an alignment graphic to be aligned with an alignment target disposed on the testing device;   detecting when an alignment of the alignment graphic and the alignment target has taken place; and   capturing the image of the testing device in response to detecting the alignment of the alignment graphic and the alignment target.