Device for use in early detection of breast cancer

Abstract

A device is provided for aid in early detection of breast cancer. The device comprises a flexible, heat-conductive web, preferably in the form of a disc-shaped patch having an adhesive layer on one side thereof and a peelable layer removably secured thereto by said adhesive layer. On the other side thereof, the device comprises an array of spaced-apart indicators, each of said indicators comprising a dye or a pigment and a temperature sensitive substance (crystalline organic chemical) which melts at a relatively precise temperature which is approximately 0.5° F. different from the adjacent indicator. As many indicators are used as are necesary to cover the desired temperature range. The device is incorporated into the breast-receiving cups of a brassiere and mirror image quadrants of the two breasts are scanned and the device is visually examined to determine the number of indicators which have displayed a change in color, thus apprising the person of the existence of abnormality in the mammary tissue.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. A device for use in early detection of breast cancer, which device comprises: (a) a flexible, heat-conductive web .Iadd.divided into a plurality of sectors so disposed and of total area to contact simultaneously opposite side areas of the breast.Iaddend.,   (b) an adhesive layer on one side of said web and a .[.pealable.]. .Iadd.peelable .Iaddend.layer removably adhered to said web by said adhesive layer,   (c) an array of spaced-apart .[.indicatorson the other side of said web.]. .Iadd.indicators on each of said sectors .Iaddend.each of said indicators comprising a dye or a pigment and a temperature-sensitive substance having a relatively precise melting point approximately 0.5° F. different from the melting point of the temperature-sensitive substance in the adjacent indicator, and wherein each indicator displays a change in color upon melting of each of said temperature sensitive substance, and   (d) a transparent flexible layer conformably overlying said web and sealably secured thereto for visual examination of the change in color of said indicators.   
     
     
       2. A device as in claim 1 wherein said web is made of an aluminum foil. 
     
     
       3. A device as in claim 2 wherein each of said temperature-sensitive substances is a crystalline organic chemical. 
     
     
       4. A device as in claim 3 wherein said device is generally circular in configuration and wherein said indicators are radially disposed thereon. 
     
     
       5. A device as in claim 3 wherein said device is generally pie-shaped in configuration and wherein said indicators are radially disposed thereon. 
     
     
       6. A device as in claim 2 wherein said device is generally circular in configuration and wherein said indicators are radially disposed thereon. 
     
     
       7. A device as in claim 2 wherein said .[.device is.]. .Iadd.sectors are .Iaddend.generally pie-shaped in configuration and wherein said indicators are radially disposed thereon. 
     
     
       8. A device as in claim 1 wherein each of said temperature-sensitive substances is a crystalline organic chemical. 
     
     
       9. A device as in claim 8 wherein said device is generally circular in configuration and wherein said indicators are radially disposed thereon. 
     
     
       10. A device as in claim 8 wherein said .[.device is.]. .Iadd.sectors are .Iaddend.generally pie-shaped in configuration and wherein said indicators are radially disposed thereon. 
     
     
       11. A device as in claim 1 wherein said device is generally circular in configuration and wherein said indicators are radially disposed thereon. 
     
     
       12. A device as in claim 1 wherein said .[.device is.]. .Iadd.sectors are .Iaddend.generally pie-shaped in configuration and wherein said indicators are radially disposed thereon. .Iadd. 
     
     
       13.  A breast cancer detector having a heat-conductive web divided into a plurality of pie-shaped sectors so disposed and of total area to contact simultaneously opposite side areas of the breast, each sector having an array of temperature indicators of which each indicator senses a specific temperature different from that sensed by adjacent indicators in the array through a predetermined graded temperature range, the ranges of different temperature sensed by the several sectors being substantially identical so that the same specific temperature may be sensed simultaneously at different locations on a single breast for ease in comparing temperatures at mirror image locations on both breasts when a duplicate of the said detector has been applied to the other breast..Iaddend. .Iadd.14. The breast cancer detector of claim 13 in which the web is in pie-shaped sectors of a disc of about 5 inches to about 7 inches in diameter..Iaddend. .Iadd.15. The breast cancer detector of claim 13 or 14 in which the heat-conductive web is metal foil and the temperature indicators, adapted to be interposed between the foil and the breast, comprise a dye or pigment and a temperature-sensitive substance having a relatively precise melting point approximately 0.5° F. different from the melting point of the temperature-sensitive substance in an adjacent indicator and wherein each indicator displays a change in color upon melting of said temperature-sensitive substance..Iaddend.