Description:BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an epithelium detection device and particularly to a corneal epithelium detection device and method thereof.
Description of Related Art
[002] Corneal epithelial defects are regions of epithelial (outermost corneal layer) loss that can be caused by mechanical trauma, corneal dryness, neurotrophic illness, post-surgical alterations, infection, or any of several other factors. Corneal epithelial abnormalities are among the most prevalent ocular diseases encountered in the general population. A cobalt-blue filter is used to see the dye, which causes it to emit a vivid green color. Fluorescein dye does not stain intact corneal epithelium but does stain corneal stroma, therefore defining the epithelial loss region. The distribution, size, and shape of the corneal defect vary depending on the etiology. Usually, the defects are thin, linear defects for fingernail scratches, whole corneal surface defects for an extensive chemical burn, and inferior corneal defects for lid abnormalities/lagophthalmos.
[003] Furthermore, there is no dedicated device for analyzing the corneal epithelium; however, the fluorescein dye pattern can be observed manually using diagnostic devices such as anterior segment optical coherence tomography, slit lamp biomicroscopes, and corneal topography, which is used to guide treatment and intervention. There are several high-end technologies known as corneal mapping technologies that are not widely available and are restricted to specific nations and institutes.
[004] There is thus a need for an improved and advanced corneal epithelium detection device that can administer the aforementioned limitations in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[005] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a corneal epithelium detection device. The device comprising: an image capturing unit configured to capture a first slit image of an eye of a patient and a second slit image of the eye of the patient, wherein the first slit image is captured on a first visit of the patient, and the second slit image is captured on a follow-up visit of the patient. The device further comprising: a processing unit communicatively connected to the image capturing unit. The processing unit is configured to: receive the captured first slit image of the eye of the patient from the image capturing unit; store the first slit image of the eye of the patient in a storage unit; analyze a staining pattern formed on a corneal surface of the eye of the patient from the stored first slit image; enable a medical practitioner to suggest the staining pattern, a diagnosis, and a severity index associated with a corneal epithelium disease; receive the captured second slit image of the eye of the patient from the image capturing unit; store the received second slit image of the eye of the patient in the storage unit; compare the second slit image of the eye of the patient with the first slit image of the eye of the patient stored in the storage unit; and display a status of the corneal epithelium disease along with the first slit image and the second slit image on a display unit, wherein the status of the corneal epithelium disease is selected from a stable status of the corneal epithelium disease, a progressive status of the corneal epithelium disease, or a recovery status of the corneal epithelium disease.
[006] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention further provide a method for diagnosing a corneal epithelium disease using a corneal epithelium detection device. The method comprising steps of: receiving a captured first slit image of an eye of a patient from an image capturing unit; storing the received first slit image of the eye of the patient in a storage unit; analyzing a staining pattern formed on a corneal surface of the eye of the patient from the stored first slit image; enabling a medical practitioner to suggest the staining pattern, a diagnosis, and a severity index associated with a corneal epithelium disease; receiving a captured second slit image of the eye of the patient from the image capturing unit; storing the received second slit image of the eye of the patient in the storage unit; comparing the second slit image of the eye of the patient with the first slit image of the eye of the patient stored in the storage unit; and displaying a status of the corneal epithelium disease along with the first slit image and the second slit image on a display unit, wherein the status of the corneal epithelium disease is selected from a stable status of the corneal epithelium disease, a progressive status of the corneal epithelium disease, or a recovery status of the corneal epithelium disease.
[007] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on their particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide a corneal epithelium detection device.
[008] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a corneal epithelium detection device that reduces a chair time of patients by helping a practitioner in accurate diagnosis.
[009] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a corneal epithelium detection device that accurately diagnoses a condition along with its severity.
[0010] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a corneal epithelium detection device that preserves photographic records of disease recovery and/or progression of the disease.
[0011] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a corneal epithelium detection device that predicts corneal conditions like keratitis and corneal erosion.
[0012] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0013] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible by utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a corneal epithelium detection device, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a processing unit of the corneal epithelium detection device, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0017] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method for diagnosing a corneal epithelium disease using the corneal epithelium detection device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0020] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising", "comprises”, and the like (which are synonymous with "including", "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of", “consists essentially of", and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of", "consists of”, the like.
[0021] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a corneal epithelium detection device 100 (hereinafter referred to as the device 100), according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the device 100 may collect a slit image of an eye of a patient. The collected slit image may further be analyzed by a medical practitioner for diagnosing a status of a corneal epithelium disease in the eye of the patient, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] According to embodiments of the present invention, the medical practitioner may be, but not limited to, a doctor, a nurse, a caretaker, a ward boy, a matron, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any medical practitioner. According to embodiments of the present invention, the device 100 may be used in locations such as, but not limited to, a hospital, an incubation center, a home, a school, an office, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any location for utilization of the device 100, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0024] According to embodiments of the present invention, the device 100 may comprise an image capturing unit 102, a processing unit 104, a storage unit 106, and a display unit 108.
[0025] In an embodiment of the present invention, the image capturing unit 102 may be configured to capture a first slit image of the eye of the patient. The image capturing unit 102 may further be configured to capture a second slit image of the eye of the patient, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the first slit image may be captured on a first visit of the patient. The second slit image may be captured on a follow-up visit of the patient, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] In an embodiment of the present invention, the image capturing unit 102 may be configured to record a first video of the eye of the patient. The image capturing unit 102 may further be configured to record a second video of the eve of the patient, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the first video may be recorded on the first visit of the patient. The second video may be recorded on the follow-up visit of the patient, in an embodiment of the present invention. The image capturing unit 102 may be configured to record videos of a predefined duration, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the predefined duration of the recorded video clips may be of 2 seconds. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the predefined duration of the recorded video clips may be of 4 seconds. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the video clips may be of any duration.
[0027] In an embodiment of the present invention, the medical practitioner may stain the eye of the patient with a pigment substance before capturing the first slit image and the second slit image using the image capturing unit 102. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pigment substance may be a fluorescein dye. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the pigment substance that may be used by the medical practitioner to stain the eye of the patient. In an embodiment of the present invention, the fluorescein dye may be an orange color dye that may be used with a blue light to detect damage to the cornea.
[0028] According to other embodiments of the present invention, a resolution for the captured slit images and/or videos of the eye of the patient using the image capturing unit 102 may be, but not limited to, 320 pixels by 240 pixels, 640 pixels by 480 pixels, 1024 pixels by 768 pixels, 1360 pixels by 768 pixels, 1920 pixels by 1080 pixels, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any resolution for the captured slit images and/or videos of the eye of the patient using the image capturing unit 102, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0029] According to other embodiments of the present invention, the image capturing unit 102 may be, but not limited to, a still camera, a video camera, a color balancer camera, a thermal camera, an infrared camera, a telephoto camera, a wide-angle camera, a macro camera, a Close-Circuit Television (CCTV) camera, a web camera, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the image capturing unit 102 may be a photo slit lamp. The image captured by the photo slit lamp may represent a corneal surface of the eye of the patient. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the image capturing unit 102, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0030] In an embodiment of the present invention, the processing unit 104 may be communicatively connected to the image capturing unit 102. The processing unit 104 may be configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to generate an output relating to the device 100. According to embodiments of the present invention, the processing unit 104 may be, but not limited to, a Programmable Logic Control (PLC) unit, a microprocessor, a development board, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the processing unit 104 may be a Raspberry Pi. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the processing unit 104 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In an embodiment of the present invention, components of the processing unit 104 may be explained in conjunction with FIG. 2.
[0031] In an embodiment of the present invention, the storage unit 106 may be configured to store the first slit image of the eye of the patient. The storage unit 106 may further be configured to store the second slit image of the eye of the patient, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the storage unit 106 may be, but not limited to, a Random-Access Memory (RAM), a Static Random-access Memory (SRAM), a Dynamic Random-access Memory (DRAM), a Read Only Memory (ROM), an Erasable Programmable Read-only Memory (EPROM), an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-only Memory (EEPROM), a NAND Flash, a Secure Digital (SD) memory, a cache memory, a Hard Disk Drive (HDD), a Solid-State Drive (SSD) and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the storage unit 106, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 108 may be configured to display a status of the corneal epithelium disease to the patient and/or the medical practitioner. The display unit 108 may further be configured to display the first slit image and the second slit image to the patient and/or to the medical practitioner, in an embodiment of the present invention. Further, the display unit 108 may enable the medical practitioner to visually interact with the device 100, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the display unit 108 may be, but not limited to, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display, an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the display unit 108 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0033] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a processing unit 104 of the device 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The processing unit 104 may include a data receiving module 200, a data storage module 202, a data analyzing module 204, a data comparison module 206, and a data display module 208.
[0034] In an embodiment of the present invention, the data receiving module 200 may be configured to receive the captured first slit image of the eye of the patient from the image capturing unit 102. The data receiving module 200 may further transmit the received first slit image of the eye of the patient to the data storage module 202, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0035] Further, the data receiving module 200 may be configured to receive the captured second slit image of the eye of the patient from the image capturing unit 102, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the data receiving module 200 may transmit the received second slit image of the eye of the patient to the data storage module 202.
[0036] In an embodiment of the present invention, the data storage module 202 may be configured to store the received first slit image of the eye of the patient in the storage unit 106. The data storage module 202 may further be configured to store the first slit image along with details associated with the patient, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0037] Further, the data storage module 202 may be configured to store the received second slit image of the eye of the patient in the storage unit 106, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the data storage module 202 may further be configured to store the second slit image of the eye of the patient.
[0038] According to embodiments of the present invention, the details associated with the patient may be, but not limited to, a name of the patient, an age of the patient, a gender of the patient, a medical diagnosis history of the patient, a medicinal history of the patient, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any details associated with the patient, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0039] The data analyzing module 204 may be configured to analyze a staining pattern formed on a corneal surface of the eye of the patient from the stored first slit image, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0040] According to embodiments of the present invention, the staining pattern formed on the corneal surface of the eye of the patient may be, but not limited to, a corneal abrasion, a microbial keratitis, a persistent epithelium, an ocular surface epithelial, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any staining pattern that may be formed on the corneal surface of the eye of the patient, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0041] Further, the data analyzing module 204 may be configured to enable the medical practitioner to suggest the staining pattern, a diagnosis, and a severity index associated with the corneal epithelium disease, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the medical practitioner may provide a diagnosis to the patient, and call the patient for the follow-up visit. On the follow-up visit, the second slit image of the eye of the patient may be captured and stored.
[0042] The data comparison module 206 may be configured to compare the second slit image of the eye of the patient with the first slit image of the eye of the patient stored in the storage unit 106, in an embodiment of the present invention. Upon comparison, the medical practitioner may diagnose a status of the corneal epithelium disease. According to embodiments of the present invention, the status of the corneal epithelium disease may be, but not limited to, a stable status of the corneal epithelium disease, a progressive status of the corneal epithelium disease, or a recovery status of the corneal epithelium disease. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any status of the corneal epithelium disease, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0043] In an embodiment of the present invention, the data display module 208 may be configured to display the status of the corneal epithelium disease along with the first slit image and the second slit image on the display unit 108.
[0044] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method 300 for diagnosing the corneal epithelium disease using the device 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0045] At step 302, the device 100 may receive the captured first slit image of the eye of the patient from the image capturing unit 102.
[0046] At step 304, the device 100 may store the received first slit image of the eye of the patient in the storage unit 106 along with details associated with the patient.
[0047] At step 306, the device 100 may analyze the staining pattern formed on the corneal surface of the eye of the patient from the stored first slit image.
[0048] At step 308, the device 100 may enable the medical practitioner to suggest the staining pattern, the diagnosis, and the severity index associated with the corneal epithelium disease.
[0049] At step 310, the device 100 may receive the captured second slit image of the eye of the patient from the image capturing unit 102.
[0050] At step 312, the device 100 may store the received second slit image of the eye of the patient in the storage unit 106.
[0051] At step 314, the device 100 may compare the second slit image of the eye of the patient with the first slit image of the eye of the patient stored in the storage unit 106.
[0052] At step 316, the device 100 may display the status of the corneal epithelium disease along with the first slit image and the second slit image on the display unit 108.
[0053] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims.
[0054] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. , Claims:CLAIMS
I/We Claim:
1. A corneal epithelium detection device (100), the device (100) comprising:
an image capturing unit (102) configured to capture a first slit image of an eye of a patient and a second slit image of the eye of the patient, wherein the first slit image is captured on a first visit of the patient, and the second slit image is captured on a follow-up visit of the patient; and
a processing unit (104) communicatively connected to the image capturing unit (102), wherein the processing unit (104) is configured to:
receive the captured first slit image of the eye of the patient from the image capturing unit (102);
store the received first slit image of the eye of the patient in a storage unit (106);
analyze a staining pattern formed on a corneal surface of the eye of the patient from the stored first slit image;
enable a medical practitioner to suggest the staining pattern, a diagnosis, and a severity index associated with a corneal epithelium disease;
receive the captured second slit image of the eye of the patient from the image capturing unit (102);
store the received second slit image of the eye of the patient in the storage unit (106);
compare the second slit image of the eye of the patient with the first slit image of the eye of the patient stored in the storage unit (106); and
display a status of the corneal epithelium disease along with the first slit image and the second slit image on a display unit (108), wherein the status of the corneal epithelium disease is selected from a stable status of the corneal epithelium disease, a progressive status of the corneal epithelium disease, or a recovery status of the corneal epithelium disease.
2. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the staining pattern is selected from a corneal abrasion, a microbial keratitis, a persistent epithelium, an ocular surface epithelial, or a combination thereof.
3. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the image capturing unit (102) is a photo slit lamp.
4. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein details associated with the patient is selected from a name of the patient, an age of the patient, a gender of the patient, a medical diagnosis history of the patient, a medicinal history of the patient, or a combination thereof.
5. A method (300) for diagnosing a corneal epithelium disease using a corneal epithelium detection device (100), the method (300) comprising steps of:
receiving a captured first slit image of an eye of a patient from an image capturing unit (102);
storing the received first slit image of the eye of the patient in a storage unit (106);
analyzing a staining pattern formed on a corneal surface of the eye of the patient from the stored first slit image;
enabling a medical practitioner to suggest the staining pattern, a diagnosis, and a severity index associated with a corneal epithelium disease;
receiving a captured second slit image of the eye of the patient from the image capturing unit (102);
storing the received second slit image of the eye of the patient in the storage unit (106);
comparing the second slit image of the eye of the patient with the first slit image of the eye of the patient stored in the storage unit (106); and
displaying a status of the corneal epithelium disease along with the first slit image and the second slit image on a display unit (108), wherein the status of the corneal epithelium disease is selected from a stable status of the corneal epithelium disease, a progressive status of the corneal epithelium disease, or a recovery status of the corneal epithelium disease.
6. The method (300) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the image capturing unit (102) is a photo slit lamp.
7. The method (300) as claimed in claim 5, comprising a step of staining the eye of the patient with a pigment substance before capturing the first slit image and the second slit image of the eye of the patient.
8. The method (300) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the pigment substance is fluorescein dye.
9. The method (300) as claimed in claim 5, wherein details associated with the patient is selected from a name of the patient, an age of the patient, a gender of the patient, a medical diagnosis history of the patient, a medicinal history of the patient, or a combination thereof.
10. The method (300) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the staining pattern is selected from a corneal abrasion, a microbial keratitis, a persistent epithelium, an ocular surface epithelial, or a combination thereof.
Date: February 08, 2023
Place: Noida

Nainsi Rastogi
Patent Agent (IN/PA-2372)
Agent for the Applicant