DESCRIPTION
FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patents Rules, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 and rule 13)
1. DETECTION AND METROLOGY OF ALLERGEN SKIN REACTION
2.
1. (A) HIPPOCREATES
(B) Belgium
(C) Betekomsesteenweg 69E, 3200 Aarschot, Belgium
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be
performed.

2
Technical Field
5
[01] The present disclosure generally relates, amongst others, to allergy detection and more
specifically to methods, devices, and systems for detecting allergies. More particularly, it relates to
automating detection of allergic disease through skin reaction.
10
Background
[02] An allergy, also known as an allergic disease, corresponds to a condition caused by
hypersensitivity of the immune system of an individual to one or more substances, also referred to as
15 allergens, present in the environment of this individual. In other words, an allergic response, medically
known as an immediate type I hypersensitivity allergic response, is triggered by an apparent excessive
response of the immune system of the human body to harmless environmental antigens, referred to as
allergens. More particularly, an allergy is a reaction of the human body when for example an allergen
comes in contact with the human body. Several different types of allergy exist such as for example hay
20 fever, food allergies, atopic dermatitis, allergic asthma, anaphylaxis, allergies to medicines, etc. Before a
clinically significant allergic response can occur, an individual must be sensitized to an allergen. During
sensitization, individuals who develop allergies default to a strong Th2 CD4 T-cell response when
exposed to the allergen. These Th2 cells are principally characterized by the production of the cytokines
IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13. In excessive response, IL-4 and IL-13 will instruct the allergen-specific B-cells to
25 class switch to immunoglobulin or IgE. The IgE antibodies with specificity for the offending allergen will
coat the surface of mast cells located in connective and subepithelial tissues throughout the body. Mast
cells bind the IgE via their cell surface high-affinity IgE receptor also known as FcεRI, resulting in the
antigen-binding regions of the antibody oriented away from the cell surface. The mast cells are now said
to be sensitized against the offending allergen.
30
[03] Re-exposure to the sensitizing allergen will cause cross-linking of the IgE on the mast cell
surface by the allergen, which will stimulate the mast cell’s activation and release of the chemical
mediators of the allergic response. The chemical mediators released from the mast cell include
histamine. This organic nitrogenous compound is the main actor in the local inflammatory reaction, its
35 biological effects include dilation of blood vessels, increased vascular permeability, and transient
contraction of smooth muscles. These cascades together with the mast cell activation that stimulates the
rapid synthesis and secretion of eicosanoids, comprising for example prostaglandins and leukotrienes,
both of which are derived from arachidonic acid, will cause the typical allergic reaction.
40 [04] Symptoms or clinical manifestation of these allergies may comprise one or more of for example
red eyes, an itchy rash, sneezing, shortness of breath, swelling, rhinitis, asthma, urticaria, etc. The
3
clinical manifestations of allergic responses vary with the anatomical site of the allergic reaction. For
example, allergic rhinitis develops in response to inhaled allergens such as pollen that stimulate mast
cells in the nasal mucosa, resulting in increased mucus secretion. On the other hand, allergic asthma is
caused by the activation of bronchial mast cells and is characterized by airway obstruction caused by
5 mucus secretion, inflammation, and bronchial smooth muscle contraction. Some symptoms may result in
mild discomfort for the individual, while other symptoms or a combination thereof may result in severe
health risks endangering the individual’s life.
[05] The most severe form of allergy is anaphylaxis, caused by the systemic activation of sensitized
10 mast cells. This may occur in response to bee stings or ingested for example nuts or shellfish, the
allergens from which get absorbed into the circulation. The systemic reaction causes oedema in many
tissues, accompanied by a fall in blood pressure and bronchoconstriction, creating a potentially lifethreatening situation.
15 [06] An allergen is a type of antigen that produces an abnormally vigorous immune response in which
the immune system of an individual fights off a perceived threat that would otherwise be harmless to the
body. Sensitivities to allergens vary widely from one person or from one animal to another. Additionally, a
very broad range of substances can be allergens to sensitive individuals. An allergen may be for example
a suspended substance in the environment and which may be breathed in by an individual, such as for
20 example pollen. An allergen may be for example ingested by an individual, such as for example food or
medicines. An allergen may for example come in contact with the skin of the individual and provoke an
immune response on the skin of the individual, such as for example dust mites, fabrics, metals, insect
stings, insect venom, animal dander, or allergen gaseous or liquid or solid substances.
25 [07] Treatments for allergies include the avoidance of known allergens. Other treatments for allergies
involve the use of one or more medications such as for example steroids and/or antihistamines and/or
adrenaline in severe reactions. Allergen immunotherapy, which gradually exposes people to larger and
larger amounts of allergen, is for example useful for some types of allergies such as hay fever and
reactions to insect bites.
30
[08] However, it is not always possible to completely prevent the exposure of an allergic individual to
an allergen. For example, an allergy to a medicine is usually only identified when the medicine is
ingested or injected into the body and provokes an allergic reaction. This remaining existing risk for
encounter between the individual and the allergen to which he or she is allergic could potentially threaten
35 the individual’s life.
[09] It is therefore important to clearly identify allergens to which an individual is allergic. This way, an
effective personalized treatment may be properly administrated to or foreseen for the individual. A
common way to confirm allergies is to use the underlying hyper-sensitivity as a mechanism. The most
40 utilized skin test evaluating IgE-driven allergic disorders is through the epicutaneous, also referred to as
the prick/puncture route. Skin allergy testing comprises a range of methods for medical diagnosis of
4
allergies that attempts to provoke a small, controlled, allergic response. Typical methods of allergen skin
reaction testing comprise introducing a microscopic amount of an allergen to a patient's skin by various
means, for example on the forearm or on the back of the patient. The most used allergen skin reaction
tests are skin prick tests: the skin of a patient is pricked or punctured with a needle or a pin containing a
5 small amount of the allergen, thereby making a micro-incision on the skin of the patient and
simultaneously bringing the allergen in contact with the body. Alternatively, making a micro-incision on
the skin of a patient succeeds the deposition of a microscopic amount or a droplet of the allergen onto
the patient’s skin, as long as the location of the micro-incision coincides with the location where the
allergen is deposited. Other commonly used tests are for example skin scratch tests: a deep dermic
10 scratch is performed with help of the blunt bottom of a lancet and a droplet of an allergen is deposited on
the deep dermic scratch, thereby bringing the allergen in contact with the body. Other commonly used
tests are for example intradermic tests: a tiny quantity of allergen is injected under the dermis with a
hypodermic syringe, thereby bringing the allergen in contact with the body. Other commonly used tests
are for example skin scrape tests: a superficial scrape is performed with help of a needle to remove the
15 superficial layer of the epidermis and a droplet of an allergen is deposited on the superficial scrape,
thereby bringing the allergen in contact with the body. Other commonly used tests are for example patch
tests wherein a patch is applied to the skin, where the patch contains the allergen.
[10] Such allergen skin reaction tests allow testing multiple allergens on the forearm or on the back of
20 a patient. However, the tests can easily become lengthy as the suitably trained medical staff must
perform the pricks or punctures or scratches, or apply patches, individually for each separate allergen.
The time needed to perform allergen skin reaction tests for several allergens can lead to discomfort for
the patient. Additionally, errors can easily occur along this time-consuming process. Attention must
indeed always be paid to the use of a sterile lancet for each perforation stitch to ensure that the test is
25 unambiguous, in order to prevent corresponding cross-transfers of an allergen with another through
contaminated lancets. Errors can also occur when mislabelling pricks or punctures or patches and their
corresponding allergens, thereby jeopardizing the relevance of the tests.
[11] Another limitation of these allergen skin reaction tests is that they all rely on the manual actuation
30 of the medical personnel when pricking or puncturing the skin of the patient. Discrepancies in the
penetration depths of the lancets can thereby be observed. For example, if the manual pressure when
pricking is too low, there may be insufficient perforation of the uppermost skin layer and thus insufficient
contact of the allergen with the immune system. On the other hand, deep perforation can lead to vascular
injuries and corresponding bleeding, through which the allergen can be washed out of the perforation
35 location, or through which the allergen undesirably comes into contact with the bloodstream.
[12] In all cases where the allergen skin reaction test is positive, the skin will become raised in the
form of a wheal, red and appear itchy at the location where the allergen came in contact with the body.
40 [13] The results of skin prick tests are recorded manually by medical staff who manually annotates
and/or manually measures and/or visually evaluates the size of the wheals - larger wheals indicating that
5
the subject is more sensitive to that particular allergen. Detecting allergies is therefore performed in a
laborious manner prone to errors. Alternatively, apparatuses such as the one disclosed in
US2012/0253224A1 may be used to monitor the evolution of wheals indicating that the subject is more
sensitive to that allergen. The apparatus of US2012/0253224A1 comprises a light source 124 visible on
5 Fig.7A which is collimated and is directed towards the skin surface of the subject. With the apparatus of
US2012/0253224A1, several images of the skin surface must be acquired at different moments in time,
i.e. after one or more appropriate time periods have elapsed as described in paragraphs [102] to [111] of
US2012/0253224A1, to provide skin testing of sufficient accuracy for allergen assessment. Scaled object
to image registration is needed for two or more images of the skin that are obtained after appropriate
10 time periods. A mechanism for precise alignment of images obtained at different times is therefore
needed in US2012/0253224A1, rendering the method of US2012/0253224A1 laborious and prone to
errors if the alignment between the different images taken at different periods of time is not accurate
enough.
15
Summary
[14] It is thus an object of embodiments of the present disclosure to propose a system and the related
method for the automatic detection and metrology of an allergen skin reaction. More specifically, it is an
20 object of embodiments of the present disclosure to propose a system and the related method for robustly
and accurately performing allergen skin reaction tests for several allergens and for providing reliable
results which will facilitate diagnosis of allergic reactions, thereby improving the accuracy of the detection
of allergies.
25 [15] The scope of protection sought for various embodiments of the present disclosure is set out by
the independent claims.
[16] The embodiments and features described in this specification that do not fall within the scope of
the independent claims, if any, are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding various
30 embodiments of the present disclosure.
[17] There is a need for minimizing errors in allergen skin reaction tests by removing manual
actuation when performing the allergen skin reaction tests and when collecting the results of the allergen
skin reaction tests.
35
[18] Amongst others, it is an object of embodiments of the present disclosure to automate allergen
skin reaction tests and the collection of allergen skin reaction tests results.
[19] This object is achieved, according to a first example aspect of the present disclosure, by a
40 system for detection and metrology of an allergen skin reaction of an individual, wherein the system
comprises:
6
− testing means configured to host a body part of the individual and to subject a skin surface area of
the body part to an allergen skin reaction test;
− illumination means comprising a plurality of light sources and configured to successively illuminate
the skin surface area having been subjected to the allergen skin reaction test under a plurality of
5 predetermined illumination angles with respect to a receiving direction along which acquisition means
are positioned; and wherein the light sources are positioned with respect to the receiving direction or
a direction parallel thereto under an angle larger than 40 degrees;
− the acquisition means fixedly positioned with respect to the skin surface area along the receiving
direction, wherein the acquisition means is configured to image, for each of the predetermined
10 illumination angles, the illuminated skin surface; and
− analysing means configured to determine one or more illumination-angle-dependent variations in
light intensity imaged by the acquisition means, wherein the illumination-angle-dependent variations
are caused by one or more wheals on the skin surface area.
15 [20] The system according to the present disclosure comprises illumination means which are
configured to illuminate the skin surface area of the body part of the patient having been subjected to the
allergen skin reaction test under a plurality of predetermined illumination angles. In other words, light is
shined onto the skin surface area having been subjected to an allergen skin reaction test under
predetermined angles with respect to the acquisition means, and the system according to the present
20 disclosure images the illuminated skin surface for each of the predetermined illumination angles. An
image of the illuminated skin surface is therefore acquired by the system according to the present
disclosure for each predetermined illumination angle. Subjecting the skin surface area to an allergen
during an allergen skin reaction test might cause an allergic reaction at the position where the allergen
skin reaction test was performed with this allergen. Usually, the allergic reaction comprises presence of a
25 wheal on the skin surface area, i.e. a cutaneous condition as part of an allergic reaction. In the context of
the present disclosure, a wheal is for example a rounded and/or flat-topped papule or plaque, which can
be for example pale red, and that is characteristically evanescent, disappearing within 24 to 48 hours
after the allergen skin reaction test. This temporary raised bubble of taut skin on the site of a properly
delivered epicutaneous test can also be called a welt. Illumination of the skin surface area is swept for
30 each predetermined illumination angles and the system according to the present disclosure images the
illuminated skin surface for each predetermined illumination angles. As the acquisition means of the
system according to the present disclosure are positioned at a fixed angle and distance with respect to
the skin surface area during the imaging of the skin surface area for two or more different predetermined
illumination angles, each wheal on the illuminated skin surface will cause a variation in the light intensity
35 imaged by the system according to the present disclosure between the two or more different
predetermined illumination angles. For example, raised papules will be lit by the illumination means and
the shadow generated by the raised papules and captured by the acquisition means will change in
function of the predetermined illumination angle under which the illumination means lit the skin surface
area. The system according to the present disclosure then determines variations in the light intensity
40 collected by the acquisition means between one predetermined illumination angle and one or more other
predetermined illumination angles. When such variations in light intensity are determined by the system
according to the present disclosure, presence of one or more wheals on the skin surface area is
7
detected. The system according to the present disclosure images the skin surface area in black and
white. Alternatively, the system according to the present disclosure images the skin surface area in
colors.
5 [21] The system according to the present disclosure allows sweeping the illumination of the skin
surface area from one predetermined illumination angle to another. The light sources are positioned
within the system according to the present disclosure such that an angle larger than 40 degrees is
formed between the receiving direction along which the acquisition means are positioned and the
position of the light source which is the closest to the acquisition means along the receiving direction.
10 This way, there is at least one light source of the light sources in the context of the present disclosure
which thereby tangentially illuminates the skin surface area of the body part. The positions of the light
sources with respect to the receiving direction allow one or more light sources to tangentially illuminate
the skin surface area of the body part along the lighting direction of the corresponding light sources. Each
of the predetermined illumination angles of the present disclosure is formed between the receiving
15 direction along which the acquisition means are positioned and the lighting direction of one of the light
sources, wherein this light source tangentially illuminates the skin surface area along the lighting
direction and wherein the lighting direction substantially symmetrically divides the illumination aperture or
emission angle of this light source. Using the plurality of light sources, it becomes possible to sweep a
tangent illumination of the skin surface area. This allows the determination of illumination-dependent
20 variations in light intensity for example caused by wheals on the skin surface area, wherein the
illumination-dependent variations in light intensity may be captured by the acquisition means and
determined by the analysing means according to the present disclosure.
[22] With the system according to the present disclosure, it is not necessary to capture several
25 images of the skin surface area after different appropriate time periods to determine a possible allergic
reaction to one or more allergens by detecting presence of one or more wheals which would be formed
on the skin surface during each of the appropriate time periods. On the contrary, within the same time,
which can be very short, for example a matter of a few minutes or even a minute or even less, such as
for example a few seconds or a few tens of seconds, the system according to the present disclosure
30 captures an image of the skin surface being illuminated under each of the predetermined illumination
angles and for each of the predetermined illumination angles. The system according to the present
disclosure is therefore more reliable and less prone to errors than prior art solution such as the one
described in US2012/0253224A1. The experience for a patient is considerably shortened, thereby
improving the comfort of the examination. Indeed, the body part must not be positioned several times
35 after each other in the system to determine whether an allergic reaction took place or to determine an
evolution of the size and dimensions of the allergic reaction. Contrary to prior art solutions such as the
one described in US2012/0253224A1, the accuracy of the system according to the present disclosure
does not depend upon the alignment of the body part during examination with respect to previous
positions of the body part. With the plurality of light sources, it becomes possible to sweep the
40 illumination of the skin surface area under the plurality of predetermined illumination angles and to
capture an image of the skin surface area for each predetermined illumination angles. This way,
8
illumination-dependent variations in light intensity for example caused by wheals on the skin surface area
will be made visible on the series of captured images by the light sources which will illuminate the skin
surface area tangentially. In other words, the tangent illumination from the light sources of the skin
surface area allows to follow an evolution of one or more lines along the skin surface area, wherein a line
5 delimitates illuminated regions of the skin surface area from other less illuminated regions of the skin
surface area, e.g. regions of the skin surface area on which a shadow is visible.
[23] The light sources are positioned or arranged under an angle with respect to the receiving
direction or a direction substantially parallel thereto, wherein the angle is larger than 40 degrees. The
10 system according to the present disclosure is compatible with any size of arms being tested for allergen
skin reaction tests. In other words, the system according to the present disclosure is suitable for testing
arms of children as well as arms of adults which demonstrate a larger cross-section along a plane
comprising the receiving direction 4 and the direction traverse to the receiving direction 4 and the
longitudinal direction 3. As visible on Fig. 5 of the present disclosure, the origin 27 corresponds to the
15 intersection between the receiving direction 4 and a line extending from the origin 27 towards the light
source 112 which is the closest to the acquisition means along the receiving direction 4, i.e. the line 25.
The origin 28 corresponds to the intersection between the receiving direction 4 and a line extending from
the origin 27 towards the light source 112 which is the furthest to the acquisition means along the
receiving direction 4, i.e. the line 26. The angle 22 – which is formed between the receiving direction 4
20 and the line 25;26 extending from the origin 27;28 towards the corresponding light source 112 – is larger
than 40 degrees. In other words, the light sources are positioned under an angle with respect to the
receiving direction or a direction substantially parallel thereto, wherein the angle is larger than 40
degrees and wherein the angle is measured from the side of the receiving direction 4 along which the
acquisition means 103 are positioned. The system according to the present disclosure is configured such
25 that the origin 27 when testing an arm of a child corresponds to the origin 27 when testing an arm of an
adult with the same system.
[24] The system according to the present disclosure allows the automatic testing and the automatic
detection of allergen skin reaction, i.e. of an allergic reaction of the skin surface area of an individual to
30 one or more allergens. The automatization of the process of testing, detecting, and evaluating the
allergen skin reactions minimizes the manual and/or visual actions that were previously required with
prior art solution in order to test and detect allergic skin reactions. Indeed, no human intervention is
needed to perform the allergen skin reaction tests on the body part of the individual and no human
intervention is needed to collect data on the reaction of the individual to the allergens from the skin
35 surface area having been subjected to the allergen skin reaction test. Automatizing the allergen skin
reaction tests ensures the reproducibility and the repeatability of the allergen skin reaction tests from one
allergen to another and/or from one individual to another, in terms of incision as well as in terms of
quantity of allergen disposed. With the system according to the present disclosure, the skin surface area
of the individuals on which allergen skin reaction tests are performed will be punctured and/or incised in
40 the same manner by the system, with uniform prick pressure, thereby ensuring good contact between the
immune system and the allergen while preventing discrepancies in the penetration depths of the
9
allergens and also guaranteeing the health of the patient by preventing unwanted bleeding and
hazardous contact between the bloodstream of the patient and an allergen which could for example
endanger the life of the patient. This makes the detection and the monitoring of allergic skin reaction with
the system according to the present disclosure consistent and robust.
5
[25] Additionally, minimizing human action in the testing and the detection of allergen skin reaction
also renders the results unambiguous and considerably less error-prone than solutions of the prior art.
The risk of mislabelling pricks or punctures and their corresponding allergens is minimized, thereby
improving the relevance of the tests. The position of the pricks and/or of the corresponding allergens is
10 automatically determined and saved by the system according to the present disclosure, thereby ensuring
the alignment of the pricks and the allergens for optimum testing conditions. Cross-transfers of an
allergen with another through contaminated test equipment is also unlikely with the system according to
the present disclosure. The risk of performing an inaccurate and/or incomplete visual assessment of the
reaction of the individual to one or more allergens by only looking at the skin surface area having been
15 subjected to an allergen skin reaction test is minimized with the system according to the present
disclosure. The system according to the present disclosure acquires and provides reliable and accurate
data which helps the medical staff accurately detect, evaluate, measure, quantify the allergic reaction.
The system according to the present disclosure therefore provides fast, error-free data comprising
information indicative for presence of an allergic reaction to an allergen and information indicative for a
20 degree of allergic sensitivity of the individual to this allergen, larger wheals indicating that the subject is
more sensitive to that particular allergen. The data acquired and collected by the system according to the
present disclosure facilitates the diagnosis of the medical staff of presence or absence of an allergic skin
reaction and, if present, of the intensity of the allergic reaction.
25 [26] With the system according to the present disclosure, and more particularly with the testing means
of the system according to the present disclosure, it becomes possible to test reaction of an individual to
several allergen skin reaction tests simultaneously and it also becomes possible to detect the reaction of
an individual to several allergen skin reaction tests for example simultaneously using the same system.
This makes the testing and the detection of allergen skin reactions more time efficient for the medical
30 staff, but also for the individual being tested, thereby increasing his comfort with respect to prior art
testing systems. Alternatively, it is also possible with the system according to the present disclosure to
test skin reaction to one allergen at a time. This improves the comfort of the patient.
[27] The reaction of the individual to each allergen skin reaction test performed on the skin surface
35 area can be individually monitored by the system according to the present disclosure. Alternatively, the
reaction of the individual to several allergens can be monitored simultaneously by the system according
to the present disclosure, thereby rapidly and efficiently identifying allergens to which an individual is
allergic and coming up with an individual-specific and customized treatment of these allergies.
40 [28] A body part in the context of the present disclosure is for example the forearm of an individual,
i.e. the region of the upper limb between the elbow and the wrist of the individual. The skin surface area
10
of the body part in the context of the present disclosure is for example the anterior skin surface of the
forearm of the individual, wherein the anterior skin surface of the forearm is usually being less hairy than
the posterior skin surface of the forearm of the individual. Performing the allergen skin reaction tests on
the forearm of the individual has a further advantage: the radial and ulnar arteries and their branches
5 supply the blood to the forearm and they usually run on the anterior face of the forearm, thereby allowing
to reliably test the immune system of the individual during the allergen skin reaction test.
[29] Allergen skin reaction tests in the context of the present disclosure comprises a range of
methods for medical diagnosis of allergies that attempts to provoke a small, controlled, allergic response.
10 Typical methods of allergen skin reaction tests comprise introducing a microscopic amount of an allergen
to a patient's skin by various means, for example on the forearm of the patient. Preferably, an allergen
may be deposited in the form of a liquid droplet onto the skin surface area of the body part. Alternatively,
an allergen may be deposited in another form onto the skin surface area of the body part. The most used
allergen skin reaction tests are skin prick tests. For example, a droplet of an allergen is deposited on the
15 skin surface area of the arm and then the skin surface area is pricked or punctured at the location of the
droplet. Alternatively, the skin of for example the forearm of a patient is pricked or punctured with a
needle or a pin containing a small amount of the allergen, thereby making a micro-incision on the skin of
the patient and simultaneously bringing the allergen in contact with the body. Alternatively, making a
micro-incision on the skin of a patient precedes or succeeds the deposition of a microscopic amount or a
20 droplet of the allergen onto the patient’s skin, as long as the location of the micro-incision coincides with
the location where the allergen is deposited. Developing an automatic test allows to reduce the amount
of expensive allergen needed to achieve results, thereby further reducing costs. Other commonly used
allergen skin reaction tests are for example skin scratch tests: a deep dermic scratch is performed with
help of the blunt bottom of a lancet and a droplet of an allergen is deposited on the deep dermic scratch,
25 thereby bringing the allergen in contact with the body. Other commonly used allergen skin reaction tests
are for example intradermic tests: a tiny quantity of allergen is injected under the dermis with a
hypodermic syringe, thereby bringing the allergen in contact with the body. Other commonly used tests
are for example skin scrape tests: a superficial scrape is performed with help of a needle to remove the
superficial layer of the epidermis and a droplet of an allergen is deposited on the superficial scrape,
30 thereby bringing the allergen in contact with the body. The system according to the present disclosure
comprises testing means which are configured to subject a skin surface area of the patient to one or
more of these allergen skin reaction tests.
[30] Illumination means in the context of the present disclosure comprise several light sources. For
35 example, the illumination means comprises two light sources. For example, the illumination means
comprises more than two light sources, such as for example three, four, five light sources, etc. For
example, the illumination means comprises tens of light sources. A light source is for example a lamp or
a LED, or any suitable light source. For example, the illumination means comprise one or more lighting
strips, such as for example LED strips. For example, the illumination means are an LED strip wherein the
40 LED strip demonstrates a radiation angle of for example 120 degrees. The light intensity imaged by the
acquisition means corresponds to light generated by the illumination means and reflected by the skin
11
surface area. A predetermined illumination angle corresponds to the angle formed between the
illumination means and the skin surface area of the patient. Variations in the light intensity collected by
the acquisition means correspond to one or more changes in the light intensity imaged by the acquisition
means between two or more predetermined illumination angles. These variations are therefore
5 illumination-angle-dependent variations. The illuminated skin surface corresponds to the area of the skin
surface area of the body part subjected to the allergen skin reaction test which is exposed to the
illumination from the illumination means under a predetermined illumination angle. In other words, the
illuminated skin surface is different for each predetermined illumination angle and the acquisition means
are configured to image each illuminated skin surface for each corresponding predetermined illumination
10 angle. For example, one or more light sources according to the present disclosure emit in the visible
spectrum. The illumination means is configured to emit one or more wavelengths within the visible
spectrum.
[31] The acquisition means in the context of the present disclosure are for example a camera.
15 Alternatively, the acquisition means are any suitable sensor configured to capture light, and comprise for
example one or more photosensitive sensors, and/or one or more photosensitive cells, and/or one or
more photodiodes, and/or one or more photoresistors, etc. A predetermined illumination angle is
understood as the angle formed between the receiving direction along which the acquisition means are
fixedly positioned and the direction substantially symmetrically dividing the illumination aperture or
20 emission angle of the illumination means emitting the illumination, such as for example the light source
emitting the illumination. For example, the acquisition means according to the present disclosure
comprises one or more red-blue-green detectors.
[32] The system according to the present disclosure may further comprise a housing configured to
25 host the testing means and the illumination means. Optionally, the acquisition means may be also
comprised in the housing. Alternatively, the acquisition means are not integrally combined in the same
housing with the testing means, the illumination means and/or the analysing means. Optionally, the
analysing means may be also comprised in the housing. Alternatively, the analysing means are not
integrally combined in the same housing with the testing means, the illumination means and/or the
30 acquisition means. For example, the analysing means may be a remote computer, tablet or smartphone,
operationally coupled to the testing means, the illumination means and/or the acquisition means.
[33] The system according to the present disclosure optionally comprises a motor configured to
displace the illumination means. The motor may cause the illumination means to rotate around the skin
35 surface area in a steady speed, thus allowing an even sweeping of the illumination of the skin surface
area from one predetermined illumination angle to another. Alternatively, the system according to the
present disclosure has predetermined illumination angles for the illumination means registered and the
motor is configured to displace the illumination means to these predetermined illumination angles
sequentially. The system according to the present disclosure optionally comprises a motor configured to
40 displace the acquisition means. The motor may cause the acquisition means to translate above the skin
surface area along a traverse direction in a steady speed until the acquisition means reach a position for
12
which the clear image of the skin surface area can be captured by the acquisition means. Alternatively,
the system according to the present disclosure has predetermined positions for the acquisition means
registered and the motor is configured to displace the acquisition means, along a receiving direction
traverse to the longitudinal direction along which the arm extends, to these predetermined positions
5 sequentially until the acquisition means reach a position for which the clear image of the skin surface
area can be captured by the acquisition means.
[34] There is provided a system for detection and metrology of an allergen skin reaction of an
individual, wherein the system comprises:
10 − testing means configured to host a body part of the individual and to subject a skin surface area of
the body part to an allergen skin reaction test;
− illumination means configured to successively illuminate the skin surface area having been subjected
to the allergen skin reaction test under one or more predetermined illumination angles with respect to
acquisition means;
15 − the acquisition means fixedly positioned with respect to the skin surface area, wherein the acquisition
means is configured to image, for each of the predetermined illumination angles, the illuminated skin
surface; and
− analysing means configured to determine one or more illumination-angle-dependent variations in
light intensity imaged by the acquisition means, wherein the illumination-angle-dependent variations
20 are caused by one or more wheals on the skin surface area.
[35] According to example embodiments:
− the skin surface area extends along a longitudinal direction;
− the acquisition means are fixedly positioned with respect to the skin surface area along the receiving
25 direction traverse to the longitudinal direction;
− the predetermined illumination angles are formed between the receiving direction and a lighting
direction for each of the light sources of the illumination means, wherein a light source tangentially
illuminates the skin surface area along the lighting direction.
30 [36] A predetermined illumination angle in the context of the present disclosure is understood as the
angle formed between the receiving direction along which the acquisition means are fixedly positioned,
and the lighting direction of the illumination means. The lighting direction of the illumination means in the
context of the present disclosure corresponds to the direction along which the illumination means
tangentially illuminates the skin surface area of the body part. For example, the lighting direction
35 substantially symmetrically divides the illumination aperture or the emission angle of the illumination
means emitting the illumination and the illumination means tangentially illuminates the skin surface area
of the body part along this lighting direction. For example the lighting direction is the direction along
which the illumination means tangentially illuminates the skin surface area of the body part and the
direction which substantially symmetrically divides the illumination aperture or the emission angle of the
40 light source. In other words, the illumination means is positioned at an illumination position along the
lighting direction, and the illumination means illuminates the skin surface area tangentially along the
13
lighting direction such that a predetermined illumination angle is formed between the lighting direction
and the receiving direction. Each of the predetermined illumination angles of the present disclosure is
therefore formed between the receiving direction along which the acquisition means are positioned and
the lighting direction of the illumination means, wherein the illumination means tangentially illuminates the
5 skin surface area along the lighting direction and wherein the lighting direction substantially symmetrically
divides the illumination aperture or emission angle of the illumination means. Each of the predetermined
illumination angles of the present disclosure is formed between the receiving direction along which the
acquisition means are positioned and the lighting direction of one of the light sources, wherein this light
source tangentially illuminates the skin surface area along the lighting direction and wherein the lighting
10 direction substantially symmetrically divides the illumination aperture or emission angle of this light
source. The illumination means may for example be mounted on one or more mounting supports such
that, the illumination means may tangentially illuminate the skin surface area under more than one
predetermined illumination angles. For example, when the illumination means are fixedly mounted on
one or more mounting supports, i.e. when the illumination means are at a fixed illumination position, the
15 illumination means may still rotate around the fixed illumination position to illuminate the skin surface
area under several lighting directions such that the illumination means illuminate the skin surface area
under several predetermined illumination angles formed between the receiving direction and each of the
lighting directions. Alternatively, when the illumination means are mounted on one or more mounting
supports and may be positioned at several illumination positions, the illumination means illuminate the
20 skin surface area under several predetermined illumination angles formed between the receiving
direction and each of the lighting directions at each of the illuminated positions. Alternatively, when the
illumination means are mounted on one or more mounting supports and may be positioned at several
illumination positions, the illumination means may still rotate around each illumination position to
illuminate the skin surface area under several lighting directions such that the illumination means
25 illuminate the skin surface area under several predetermined illumination angles formed between the
receiving direction and each of the lighting directions at each of the illuminated positions. Alternatively,
when the illumination means are mounted on one or more mounting supports and may be positioned at
several illumination positions, the illumination means may still rotate around each illumination position
and/or translate to another illumination position to illuminate the skin surface area under several lighting
30 directions such that the illumination means illuminate the skin surface area under several predetermined
illumination angles formed between the receiving direction and each of the lighting directions at each of
the illuminated positions.
[37] According to example embodiments, the acquisition means are further configured to capture one
35 or more images of the skin surface area for each of the predetermined illumination angles, thereby
generating a set of images of the skin surface area for the allergen skin reaction test.
[38] For each illumination angle, an image of the illuminated skin surface is captured by the
acquisition. Sweeping the illumination at the predetermined illumination angles thereby results in a set of
40 images. Each image acquired by the acquisition means comprises an imaged light intensity which
corresponds to the light generated by the illumination means which is reflected by the skin surface area.
14
By comparing the light intensity captured under one predetermined illumination angle to the light intensity
captured under another and different predetermined illumination angle, i.e. by comparing the light
intensity between at least two images of the set of images, the system is configured to determined one or
more changes in light intensity between the two predetermined illumination angles. An image acquired by
5 the acquisition means is for example a picture or a photography of the skin surface area under one
predetermined illumination angle. Alternatively, an image acquired by the acquisition means is for
example a frame of a video of the skin surface area acquired by the acquisition means under one
predetermined illumination angle. Alternatively, an image acquired by the acquisition means is any twodimensional representation of the skin surface area under one predetermined illumination angle. One or
10 more images of the skin surface area comprise in black and white. Alternatively, one or more images of
the skin surface area comprise colors. Alternatively, one or more images of the skin surface area
comprise black and white and one or more images of the same skin surface area comprise colors.
[39] According to example embodiments, the analysing means are further configured to process the
15 set of images and to determine, from the set of images, one or more of the following:
− reflections generated from the illumination by the wheals on the skin surface area;
− shadows generated from the illumination by the wheals on the skin surface area;
thereby determining the illumination-angle-dependent variations in light intensity imaged by the
acquisition means.
20
[40] Each image acquired by the acquisition means comprises an imaged light intensity which
corresponds to the light generated by the illumination means which is reflected by the skin surface area.
Analysing light patterns on the skin surface area allows to detect presence of one or more wheals on the
skin surface area. When a wheal is present on the skin surface area, light of the illumination means will
25 be reflected by the skin and by the wheal, and a shadow of the wheal will be formed on the skin surface
area, wherein the shape and the position of the shadow are dependent upon the predetermined
illumination angle. By comparing the light intensity captured under one predetermined illumination angle
to the light intensity captured under another and different predetermined illumination angle, i.e. by
comparing the light intensity of the reflected light between at least two images of the set of images, and
30 by comparing the variations or changes of the shadows imaged between at least two images of the set of
images, the system is configured to determined one or more changes in light intensity between the two
predetermined illumination angles.
[41] The skin surface area is illuminated under a plurality of predetermined illumination angles. For
35 each predetermined illumination angle, the illumination means tangentially illuminates the skin surface
area along a lighting direction. The acquisition means image the skin surface area being illuminated
under each predetermined illumination angle. Reflections will be detected by the acquisition means,
wherein the reflections correspond to the illumination of the illumination means being reflected by the
skin surface area. Shadows will be detected by the acquisition means, wherein the shadows correspond
40 to the illumination of the illumination means not being reflected by the skin surface area. The skin surface
area facing the illumination means until the lighting direction may reflect the illumination of the
15
illumination means, thereby causing reflections which will be imaged by the acquisition means. Wheals
on the skin surface area facing the illumination means until the lighting direction may reflect the
illumination of the illumination means, thereby generating reflections and shadows which will be imaged
and generate illumination-angle-dependent variations in light intensity determined by the acquisition
5 means from the set of images for the predetermined illumination angles. The skin surface area facing
away from the illumination means from the lighting direction may not reflect the illumination of the
illumination means, thereby causing shadows which will be imaged by the acquisition means.
[42] According to example embodiments, the analysing means are further configured to determine a
10 location of the wheals on the skin surface area using the illumination-angle-dependent variations in light
intensity imaged by the acquisition means.
[43] It becomes possible to automatically determine the presence and the position of wheals on the
skin surface area with the system. Using the variations of the reflected light formed by the illumination of
15 the skin surface area when sweeping the illumination over the predetermined illumination angles, such as
for example the shadows, the system can identify the position of the wheals. This way, the system can
identify to which allergen corresponds the wheal detected on the skin surface area. The system has
preliminary knowledge about the position of the pricks and/or the position where the allergens were
deposited. When the location of a wheal on the skin surface area corresponds to the known position of a
20 prick and/or to the known position of an allergen, the system can reliably and accurately identify to which
allergen the individual reacts and is likely to be allergic. Identifying the position of wheals on the skin
surface area is therefore done automatically without relying on manual and/or visual inspection of the
skin surface area.
25 [44] According to example embodiments, the analysis means are further configured to determine,
from the set of images, a size and/or a shape of one or more of the wheals on the skin surface area.
[45] This way, the system, more particularly the analysing means, may comprise measuring the
dimensions of the wheals, thereby automatizing the metrology of the detection of allergies. The system
30 may comprise comparing the measured dimensions of a wheal, such as for example its size and/or
shape, with one or more referenced ranges of dimensions for wheals, wherein a referenced range of
dimensions may be indicative for a degree of sensitivity to an allergen. This way, when the dimensions of
a wheal fall within a referenced range of dimensions, it becomes possible to determine a degree of
sensitivity of the individual to the corresponding allergen. Alternatively, the system may comprise
35 comparing the measured dimensions of a wheal, such as for example its size and/or shape, with the
measured dimensions of another wheal formed on the same skin surface area, thereby determining a
relative degree of sensitivity of the individual to the corresponding allergens.
[46] According to example embodiments, the acquisition means are positioned along the receiving
40 direction traverse to the longitudinal direction to image the illuminated skin surface under each of the
predetermined illumination angles.
16
[47] This way, the acquisition means faces the skin surface area for each of the predetermined
illumination angles. The acquisition means can then capture an image of the entire skin surface area for
all the predetermined illumination angles.
5
[48] According to example embodiments, the acquisition means are positioned at a fixed
predetermined receiving distance from the skin surface area for all of the predetermined illumination
angles.
10 [49] This way, the acquisition means remain fixedly positioned facing the skin surface area for each of
the predetermined illumination angles. This allows the system to compare the different light patterns, i.e.
the variations in the light intensity captured by the acquisition means such as the reflected light and/or
the shadows, between the different images of a set of images.
15 [50] According to example embodiments, each light source is configured to illuminate the skin surface
area; and the system further comprises one or more mounting supports configured to hold the light
sources.
[51] This way, illumination of the skin surface area under the predetermined illumination angles may
20 be achieved in different ways. For example, one light source can be repositioned around the body part
and illuminate the skin surface area under each of the predetermined illumination angles, either by
continuously emitting, or by pulsed emission, or by emitting only when positioned at the predetermined
illumination angles. Alternatively, each light source remains fixedly positioned at a predetermined
illumination angle and wherein the illumination means illuminate the skin surface area with a one light
25 source at a time or according to a predetermined illumination sequence. A predetermined illumination
angle is understood as the angle formed between the receiving direction along which the acquisition
means are fixedly positioned and the direction symmetrically dividing the emission angle of the light
source emitting the illumination.
30 [52] According to example embodiments, the light sources and/or the mounting supports are further
configured to rotate around the body part in a plane comprising the receiving direction and traverse to the
longitudinal direction such that the light sources illuminate the skin surface area under the predetermined
illumination angles.
35 [53] For example, one light source is mounted on one mounting support which can rotate, or at least
partially rotate, around the body part such that the one light source illuminates the skin surface area
under each of the predetermined illumination angles. Alternatively, several light sources are mounted on
one or more mounting supports which can rotate, or at least partially rotate, around the body part such
that one or more light sources illuminate the skin surface area under each of the predetermined
40 illumination angles.
17
[54] According to example embodiments, the light sources and/or the mounting supports are further
configured to rotate around the body part in a plane comprising the longitudinal direction of the body part
and the receiving direction such that the light sources illuminate the skin surface area under the
predetermined illumination angles.
5
[55] For example, one light source is mounted on one mounting support which can rotate, or at least
partially rotate, around the body part such that the one light source illuminates the skin surface area
under each of the predetermined illumination angles. Alternatively, several light sources are mounted on
one or more mounting supports which can rotate, or at least partially rotate, around the body part such
10 that one or more light sources illuminate the skin surface area under each of the predetermined
illumination angles.
[56] According to example embodiments, the testing means is configured to simultaneously deposit
one allergen at a predetermined position on the skin surface area and incise the skin surface area of the
15 individual at each of the predetermined positions.
[57] The testing means may select a point in the skin surface area, providing an allergen on the point
and performing an incision on the point. A plurality of incisions may be made and combined with a
plurality of allergens with only one system according to the present disclosure.
20
[58] According to example embodiments, the testing means may further comprise a clamp configured
to maintain the body part immobile when imaging the illuminated skin surface for each of the
predetermined illumination angles.
25 [59] This way, the clamp maintains the body part in a fixed position during the allergen skin reaction
test and/or during the imaging of the illuminated skin surface under the predetermined illumination
angles. This prevents the system from performing the allergen skin reaction test twice at the same
location or from confusing the location of an allergen skin reaction test with another, thereby
guaranteeing the accuracy of the analysis. Additionally, the allergens may be released in a controlled
30 manner on an immobile skin surface area, thereby avoiding spillage of the allergens and contamination
of areas of subsequent incisions that could affect the allergen skin reaction test. The clamp may be
ergonomically adjusted to allow the individual to rest the body part immobile, or substantially immobile, or
in a substantially stationary position, for an amount of time that is required to perform the allergen skin
reaction test and/or for an amount of time that is required to image the skin surface area under the
35 predetermined illumination angles.
[60] Optionally, the system further comprises a handle to facilitate the maintenance of the
substantially stationary or substantially immobile position of the body part during the allergen skin
reaction test and/or during acquisition of the set of images for the predetermined illumination angles.
40
18
[61] Optionally, the system further comprises an allergen storing unit configured to store one or more
allergens, each allergen being stored in an individual and isolated compartment. Conservations of the
allergens in the storing unit may be thermally controlled to preserve their integrity.
5 [62] According to example embodiments, an angular spread of the light sources within the illumination
means is comprised between 35 degrees and 55 degrees.
[63] The positions of the light sources within the illumination means fan out over an angle of 35 to 55
degrees. In other words, an angle formed between the position of the light source the closest to the
10 acquisition means along the receiving direction and the position of the light source the furthest to the
acquisition means along the receiving direction is comprised between 35 degrees and 55 degrees. The
light sources may be periodically positioned in this angular spread. In other words, the angular spread of
the light sources within the illumination means may be periodically divided such that the positions of the
light sources are periodically distributed within the illumination means. For example, the angular spread
15 of the light sources within the illumination means may be periodically divided such that two adjacent light
sources are separated by an angle of a few degrees, such as for example two degrees, or three degrees,
or four degrees, or five degrees. Alternatively, the light sources are randomly positioned in this angular
spread.
20 [64] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for detection
and metrology of an allergen skin reaction of an individual, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
− hosting a body part of the individual;
− subjecting a skin surface area of the body part to an allergen skin reaction test;
− providing a plurality of light sources;
25 − arranging the light sources under an angle larger than 40 degrees with respect to a receiving
direction along which the skin surface area being illuminated will be imaged;
− successively illuminating the skin surface area having been subjected to the allergen skin reaction
test with the light sources under a plurality of predetermined illumination angles with respect to a
fixed position along said receiving direction along which said illuminated skin surface will be imaged;
30 − imaging the illuminated skin surface from the fixed position with respect to the skin surface area and
for each of the predetermined illumination angles; and
− determining one or more illumination-angle-dependent variations in light intensity being imaged,
wherein the illumination-angle-dependent variations are caused by one or more wheals on the skin
surface area.
35
[65] The method according to the present disclosure comprises illuminating the skin surface area of
the body part of the patient having been subjected to the allergen skin reaction test under several
predetermined illumination angles. In other words, light is shined onto the skin surface area having been
subjected to an allergen skin reaction test under several predetermined angles with respect to the
40 acquisition means, and the method according to the present disclosure images the illuminated skin
surface for each of the predetermined illumination angles. An image of the illuminated skin surface is
19
therefore acquired for each predetermined illumination angle. Subjecting the skin surface area to an
allergen during an allergen skin reaction test might cause an allergic reaction at the position where the
allergen skin reaction test was performed with this allergen. Usually, the allergic reaction comprises
presence of a wheal on the skin surface area, i.e. a cutaneous condition as part of an allergic reaction. In
5 the context of the present disclosure, a wheal is for example a rounded and/or flat-topped papule or
plaque, which can be for example pale red, and that is characteristically evanescent, disappearing within
24 to 48 hours after the allergen skin reaction test. This temporary raised bubble of taut skin on the site
of a properly delivered epicutaneous can also be called a welt. Illumination of the skin surface area is
swept for each predetermined illumination angles and the illuminated skin surface is imaged for each
10 predetermined illumination angles. As the images of the skin surface area for two or more different
predetermined illumination angles are acquired from a fixed position, i.e. at a fixed angle and distance
with respect to the skin surface area, each wheal on the illuminated skin surface will cause a variation in
the light intensity imaged between the two or more different predetermined illumination angles. For
example, raised papules will be lit and the shadow generated by the raised papules and captured with
15 the method according to the present disclosure will change in function of the predetermined illumination
angle under which the skin surface area is lit. The method according to the present disclosure then
determines variations in the light intensity collected between one predetermined illumination angle and
one or more other predetermined illumination angles. When such variations in light intensity are
determined by the method according to the present disclosure, presence of one or more wheals on the
20 skin surface area is detected.
[66] The method according to the present disclosure allows the automatic testing and the automatic
detection of allergen skin reaction, i.e. of an allergic reaction of the skin surface area of an individual to
one or more allergens. The automatization of the process of testing, detecting, and evaluating the
25 allergen skin reactions minimizes the manual and/or visual actions that were previously required with
prior art solution in order to test and detect allergic skin reactions. Indeed, no human intervention is
needed to perform the allergen skin reaction tests on the body part of the individual and no human
intervention is needed to collect data on the reaction of the individual to the allergens from the skin
surface area having been subjected to the allergen skin reaction test. Automatizing the allergen skin
30 reaction tests ensures the reproducibility and the repeatability of the allergen skin reaction tests from one
allergen to another and/or from one individual to another, in terms of incision as well as in terms of
quantity of allergen disposed. With the method according to the present disclosure, the skin surface area
of the individuals on which allergen skin reaction tests are performed will be punctured and/or incised in
the same manner, with uniform prick pressure, thereby ensuring good contact between the immune
35 system and the allergen while preventing discrepancies in the penetration depths of the allergens and
also guaranteeing the health of the patient by preventing unwanted bleeding and hazardous contact
between the bloodstream of the patient and an allergen which could endanger the life of the patient. This
makes the detection and the monitoring of allergic skin reaction with the method according to the present
disclosure consistent and robust.
40
20
[67] Additionally, minimizing human action in the testing and the detection of allergen skin reaction
also renders the results unambiguous and considerably less error-prone than solutions of the prior art.
The risk of mislabelling pricks or punctures and their corresponding allergens is minimized, thereby
improving the relevance of the tests. The position of the pricks and/or of the corresponding allergens is
5 automatically determined and saved by the method according to the present disclosure, thereby ensuring
the alignment of the pricks and the allergens for optimum testing conditions. Cross-transfers of an
allergen with another through contaminated test equipment is also unlikely with the method according to
the present disclosure. The risk of performing an inaccurate and/or incomplete visual assessment of the
reaction of the individual to one or more allergens by only looking at the skin surface area having been
10 subjected to an allergen skin reaction test is minimized with the method according to the present
disclosure. The method according to the present disclosure acquires and provides reliable and accurate
data which helps the medical staff accurately detect, evaluate, measure, quantify the allergic reaction.
The method according to the present disclosure therefore provides fast, error-free data comprising
information indicative for presence of an allergic reaction to an allergen and information indicative for a
15 degree of allergic sensitivity of the individual to this allergen, larger wheals indicating that the subject is
more sensitive to that particular allergen. The data acquired and collected by the method according to the
present disclosure facilitates the diagnosis of the medical staff of presence or absence of an allergic skin
reaction and, if present, of the intensity of the allergic reaction.
20 [68] There is provided a method for detection and metrology of an allergen skin reaction of an
individual, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
− hosting a body part of the individual;
− subjecting a skin surface area of the body part to an allergen skin reaction test;
− successively illuminating the skin surface area having been subjected to the allergen skin reaction
25 test under one or more predetermined illumination angles with respect to a fixed position;
− imaging the illuminated skin surface from the fixed position with respect to the skin surface area and
for each of the predetermined illumination angles; and
− determining one or more illumination-angle-dependent variations in light intensity being imaged,
wherein the illumination-angle-dependent variations are caused by one or more wheals on the skin
30 surface area.
[69] According to example embodiments, the method further comprises the steps of:
− capturing one or more images of the skin surface area for each of the predetermined illumination
angles, thereby generating a set of images of the skin surface area for the allergen skin reaction test;
35 − determining on the set of images one or more illumination-angle-dependent variations in light
intensity being imaged, wherein the illumination-angle-dependent variations are caused by one or
more wheals on the skin surface area, thereby detecting presence of one or more wheals on the skin
surface area; and
− determining, from the set of images, a location and/or a size and/or a shape of the wheals on the skin
40 surface area.
21
[70] This way, the method comprises calibration steps when the skin surface area is imaged while not
illuminated. Optionally, when the illumination means comprise several light sources wherein each light
source is positioned to illuminate the skin surface area under a predetermined illumination angle, the
method further comprises capturing one or more images of the skin surface area having been subjected
5 to the allergen skin reaction when the skin surface area is illuminated under several of the predetermined
illumination angles available. Alternatively, the method further comprises the step of capturing one or
more images of the skin surface area having been subjected to the allergen skin reaction when the skin
surface area is not illuminated.
10 [71] According to example embodiments, the method further comprises the steps of simultaneously
depositing one allergen at a predetermined position on the skin surface area and incising the skin surface
area of the individual at each of the predetermined positions.
[72] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer program
15 product comprising computer-executable instructions for causing a system to perform at least the
following:
− with a plurality of light sources arranged under an angle larger than 40 degrees with respect to a
receiving direction along which the skin surface area being illuminated will be imaged, successively
illuminating a skin surface area of a body part having been subjected to an allergen skin reaction test
20 under a plurality of predetermined illumination angles with respect to a fixed position along said
receiving direction along which said illuminated skin surface will be imaged;
− imaging said illuminated skin surface from said fixed position with respect to said skin surface area
and for each of said predetermined illumination angles; and
− determining one or more illumination-angle-dependent variations in light intensity being imaged,
25 wherein said illumination-angle-dependent variations are caused by one or more wheals on said skin
surface area.
[73] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer readable
storage medium comprising computer-executable instructions for performing the following steps when
30 the program is run on a computer:
− with a plurality of light sources arranged under an angle larger than 40 degrees with respect to a
receiving direction along which the skin surface area being illuminated will be imaged, successively
illuminating a skin surface area of a body part having been subjected to an allergen skin reaction test
under a plurality of predetermined illumination angles with respect to a fixed position along said
35 receiving direction along which said illuminated skin surface will be imaged;
− imaging said illuminated skin surface from said fixed position with respect to said skin surface area
and for each of said predetermined illumination angles; and
− determining one or more illumination-angle-dependent variations in light intensity being imaged,
wherein said illumination-angle-dependent variations are caused by one or more wheals on said skin
40 surface area.
22
Brief Description of the Drawings
[74] Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying
5 drawings.
[75] Fig. 1 depicts an example embodiment of a system according to the present disclosure.
[76] Figs. 2A and 2B depict an example embodiment of illumination-angle-dependent variations in
10 light intensity according to the present disclosure.
[77] Figs. 3A and 3B depict example embodiments of a rotation of the illumination means of a system
according to the present disclosure.
15 [78] Fig. 4 shows an example embodiment of a suitable computing system for performing one or
several steps in embodiments of the invention.
[79] Fig. 5 shows an example embodiment of illumination means and acquisition means according to
the present disclosure.
20
Detailed Description of Embodiment(s)
[80] Fig. 1 illustrates an example embodiment of a system 1 according to the present disclosure for
25 detection and metrology of an allergen skin reaction of an individual. The system 1 comprises testing
means 101, illumination means 102, acquisition means 103 and analyzing means 104. The testing
means 101 are configured to host a body part 10 of the individual and to subject a skin surface area 11 of
the body part 10 to an allergen skin reaction test. For the sake of clarity of the drawing, Fig. 1 does not
illustrate the skin surface area 11 being subjected to the allergen skin reaction test. The illumination
30 means 102 comprise a plurality of light sources 112. The illumination means 102 are configured to
successively illuminate the skin surface area 11 having been subjected to the allergen skin reaction test
under a plurality of predetermined illumination angles with respect the acquisition means 103. The
acquisition means 103 are fixedly positioned with respect to the skin surface area 11. The acquisition
means 103 are configured to image, for each of the predetermined illumination angles 20, the illuminated
35 skin surface corresponding to the skin surface area 11 being illuminated by the illumination means 102
under a predetermined illumination angle. The acquisition means 103 capture one or more images 30 of
the skin surface area 11 for each of the predetermined illumination angles, thereby generating a set of
images 31 of the skin surface are 11 for the allergen skin reaction test. The analysing means 104 are
configured to determine one or more illumination-angle-dependent variations 202 in light intensity 201
40 imaged by the acquisition means 103, wherein the illumination-angle-dependent variations 202 of the
light intensity 201 are caused by one or more wheals on the skin surface area 11. The analysing means
23
104 are configured to process the set of images 31 to determine, from the set of images 31, reflections
generated from the illumination by wheals on the skin surface area 11, and/or shadows generated from
the illumination by wheals on the skin surface area 11, thereby determining the illumination-angledependent variations 202 in light intensity 201 imaged by the acquisition means 103. The analysing
5 means 104 determine a location of the wheals on the skin surface area 11 using the illumination-angledependent variations 202 in light intensity 201 imaged by the acquisition means 103. The analysing
means 104 are configured to determine, from the set of images 31, a size and/or a shape of one or more
of the wheals on the skin surface area 11. The body part extends along a longitudinal direction 3 and the
acquisition means 103 are positioned along a receiving direction 4 traverse to the longitudinal direction 3
10 to image the illuminated skin surface 21 under each predetermined illumination angle. The acquisition
means 103 are positioned at a fixed predetermined receiving distance from the skin surface area 11 for
all of the predetermined illumination angles. The illumination means 102 comprise light sources 112,
wherein each light source 112 is configured to illuminate the skin surface area 11. The light sources 112
are positioned under an angle with respect to the receiving direction 4 larger than 40 degrees. The
15 system 1 further comprises one or more mounting supports 105 configured to hold the light sources 112.
The light sources 112 and/or the mounting supports 105 are configured to rotate around the body part 10
in a plane comprising the receiving direction 4 and traverse to the longitudinal direction 3 such that the
light sources 112 illuminate the skin surface area 11 under the predetermined illumination angles. The
light sources 112 and/or the mounting supports 105 are configured to rotate around the body part 10 in a
20 plane comprising the receiving direction 4 and the longitudinal direction 3 such that the light sources 112
illuminate the skin surface area 11 under the predetermined illumination angles. The testing means 101
are configured to simultaneously deposit one allergen at a predetermined position on the skin surface
area 11 and incise the skin surface area 11 at each of the predetermined positions. The testing means
101 optionally comprise a clamp which is not depicted on Fig. 1 for clarity and which maintains the body
25 part 10 substantially immobile when imaging the illuminated skin surface for each of the predetermined
illumination angles.
[81] Figs. 2A and 2B depict an example embodiment of illumination-angle-dependent variations in
light intensity according to the present disclosure. Components demonstrating an identical reference
30 number than on Fig. 1 fulfill the same function. On Fig. 2A, a skin surface area 11 of a body part 10
extending along a longitudinal direction 3 is illuminated under a first predetermined illumination angle 20,
thereby forming an illuminated skin surface 21. The skin surface area 11 has been subjected beforehand
to an allergen skin reaction test, during which 6 allergens have been tested, as indicated by the crosses
on Fig. 2A. Two wheals 2 are formed on the skin surface 11 and become visible on the illuminated skin
35 surface 21. Each wheal 2 generates a reflection 203 on the illuminated skin surface 21 of the illumination
under the first predetermined illumination angle 20 and each wheal 2 also generates a shadow on the
illuminated skin surface 21 of the illumination under the first predetermined illumination angle 20. The
same skin surface area 11 is now illuminated on Fig. 2B under a second predetermined illumination
angle 20, thereby forming an illuminated skin surface 21. The predetermined illumination angles 20 are
40 formed between a receiving direction 4 and a lighting direction of the illumination means, wherein the
illumination means tangentially illuminates the skin surface area 11 along the lighting direction. The two
wheals 2 previously visible on the illuminated skin surface 21 being illuminated under the first
24
predetermined illumination angle 20, are still visible on the illuminated skin surface being illuminated
under the second illumination angle 20. Under the second illumination angle 20, each wheal 2 generates
a reflection 203 on the illuminated skin surface 21 of the illumination under the second predetermined
illumination angle 20 and each wheal 2 also generates a shadow on the illuminated skin surface 21 of the
5 illumination under the second predetermined illumination angle 20. The reflections 203 of the wheals 2
generated under the first predetermined illumination angle 20 and under the second predetermined
illumination angle 20 are different. The shadows 204 of the wheals 2 generated under the first
predetermined illumination angle 20 and under the second predetermined illumination angle 20 are
different. The acquisition means of the system according to the present disclosure images the illuminated
10 skin surface 21 of Fig. 2A illuminated under the first predetermined illumination angle 20 and further
images the illuminated skin surface 21 of Fig. 2B illuminated under the second predetermined
illumination angle 20. The analyzing means of the system according to the present disclosure then
determines several illumination-angle-dependent variations 202 in the light intensity imaged by the
acquisition means, wherein the illumination-angle-dependent variations 202 are caused by the two
15 wheals 2 on the skin surface area 11. The analyzing means of the system according to the present
disclosure therefore detect presence of the two wheals 2 on the skin surface area 11.
[82] Figs. 3A and 3B depict example embodiments of a rotation of the illumination means of a system
according to the present disclosure. Components demonstrating an identical reference number than on
20 Fig. 1 or Figs. 2A or 2B fulfill the same function. The illumination means 102 comprise a plurality of light
sources 112. The illumination means 102 are configured to successively illuminate the skin surface area
11 having been subjected to the allergen skin reaction test under several predetermined illumination
angles 20 with respect the acquisition means 103. The acquisition means 103 are fixedly positioned with
respect to the skin surface area 11. The acquisition means 103 are configured to image, for each of the
25 predetermined illumination angles 20, the illuminated skin surface 21 corresponding to the skin surface
area 11 being illuminated by the illumination means 102 under a predetermined illumination angle 30.
The acquisition means 103 capture one or more images 30 of the skin surface area 11 for each of the
predetermined illumination angles 20, thereby generating a set of images 31 of the skin surface are 11
for the allergen skin reaction test. Fig. 3A depicts illumination under two predetermined illumination
30 angles 20, but these illuminations are understood to happen consecutively in the context of the present
disclosure. The analysing means are configured to determine one or more illumination-angle-dependent
variations in light intensity imaged by the acquisition means 103, wherein the illumination-angledependent variations of the light intensity are caused by one or more wheals on the skin surface area 11.
The analysing means are configured to process the set of images to determine, from the set of images,
35 reflections generated from the illumination by wheals on the skin surface area 11, and/or shadows
generated from the illumination by wheals on the skin surface area 11, thereby determining the
illumination-angle-dependent variations in light intensity imaged by the acquisition means 103. The
analysing means determine a location of the wheals on the skin surface area 11 using the illuminationangle-dependent variations in light intensity imaged by the acquisition means 103. The analysing means
40 are configured to determine, from the set of images, a size and/or a shape of one or more of the wheals
on the skin surface area 11. The body part extends along a longitudinal direction 3 and the acquisition
means 103 are positioned along a receiving direction 4 traverse to the longitudinal direction 3 to image
25
the illuminated skin surface 21 under each predetermined illumination angle 20. The acquisition means
103 are positioned at a fixed predetermined receiving distance from the skin surface area 11 for all of the
predetermined illumination angles. The illumination means 102 comprise light sources 112, wherein each
light source 112 is configured to illuminate the skin surface area 11. The light sources 112 are positioned
5 under an angle 22 with respect to the receiving direction 4 larger than 40 degrees. The predetermined
illumination angles 20 are formed between the receiving direction 4 and a lighting direction 7 of the
illumination means 102, wherein the illumination means 102 tangentially illuminates the skin surface area
11 along the lighting direction 7. A predetermined illumination angle 20 is understood as the angle
formed between the receiving direction 4 along which the acquisition means 103 are fixedly positioned,
10 and the lighting direction 7 of the illumination means 102. The lighting direction 7 of the illumination
means 102 corresponds to the direction along which the illumination means 102 tangentially illuminates
the skin surface area 11 of the body part 10. For example, the lighting direction 7 substantially
symmetrically divides the illumination aperture or the emission angle of the illumination means 102
emitting the illumination and the illumination means 102 tangentially illuminates the skin surface area 11
15 of the body part 10 along this lighting direction 7. For example, when the illumination means 102
comprises a light source 112, the lighting direction 7 is the direction along which the illumination means
102 tangentially illuminates the skin surface area 11 of the body part 10 and the direction which
substantially symmetrically divides the illumination aperture or the emission angle of the light source 112.
In other words, the illumination means 102 is positioned at an illumination position along the lighting
20 direction 7, and the illumination means 102 illuminates the skin surface area 11 tangentially along the
lighting direction 7 such that a predetermined illumination angle 20 is formed between the lighting
direction 7 and the receiving direction 4. Each of the several predetermined illumination angles 20 is
therefore formed between the receiving direction 4 along which the acquisition means 102 are positioned
and the lighting direction 7 of the illumination means 102, wherein the illumination means 102 tangentially
25 illuminates the skin surface area 11 along the lighting direction 7 and wherein the lighting direction 7
substantially symmetrically divides the illumination aperture or emission angle of the illumination means
102. When the illumination means 102 comprises one light source 112, each of the predetermined
illumination angles 20 is formed between the receiving direction 4 along which the acquisition means 103
are positioned and the lighting direction 7 of the light source 112, wherein the light source 112
30 tangentially illuminates the skin surface area 11 along the lighting direction 7 and wherein the lighting
direction 7 substantially symmetrically divides the illumination aperture or emission angle of the light
source 112. When the illumination means 102 comprises several light sources 112, each of the
predetermined illumination angles 20 is formed between the receiving direction 4 along which the
acquisition means 103 are positioned and the lighting direction 7 of one of the light sources 112, wherein
35 this light source 112 tangentially illuminates the skin surface area 11 along the lighting direction 7 and
wherein the lighting direction 7 substantially symmetrically divides the illumination aperture or emission
angle of this light source 112. The illumination means 102 may for example be mounted on one or more
mounting supports 105 such that, the illumination means 102 may tangentially illuminate the skin surface
area 11 under more than one predetermined illumination angles 20. For example, when the illumination
40 means 102 are fixedly mounted on one or more mounting supports 105, i.e. when the illumination means
102 are at a fixed illumination position, the illumination means 102 may still rotate around the fixed
illumination position to illuminate the skin surface area 11 under several lighting directions 7 such that the
26
illumination means 102 illuminate the skin surface area 11 under several predetermined illumination
angles 20 formed between the receiving direction 4 and each of the lighting directions 7. Alternatively,
when the illumination means 102 are mounted on one or more mounting supports 105 and may be
positioned at several illumination positions, the illumination means 102 illuminate the skin surface area
5 11 under several predetermined illumination angles 20 formed between the receiving direction 4 and
each of the lighting directions 7 at each of the illuminated positions. Alternatively, when the illumination
means 102 are mounted on one or more mounting supports 105 and may be positioned at several
illumination positions, the illumination means 102 may still rotate around each illumination position to
illuminate the skin surface area 11 under several lighting directions 7 such that the illumination means
10 102 illuminate the skin surface area 11 under several predetermined illumination angles 20 formed
between the receiving direction 4 and each of the lighting directions 7 at each of the illuminated positions.
The system further comprises one or more mounting supports 105 configured to hold the light sources
112. On Fig. 3A, the light sources 112 and/or the mounting supports 105 are configured to rotate around
the body part 10 in a plane 5 comprising the receiving direction 4 and traverse to the longitudinal
15 direction 3 such that the light sources 112 illuminate the skin surface area 11 under the predetermined
illumination angles 20. On Fig. 3B, the light sources 112 and/or the mounting supports 105 are
configured to rotate around the body part 10 in a plane 6 comprising the receiving direction 4 and the
longitudinal direction 3 such that the light sources 112 illuminate the skin surface area 11 under the
predetermined illumination angles 20. According to an alternative embodiment, one or more of the
20 mounting supports 105 are straight and extending along the receiving direction 4. According to an
alternative embodiment, one or more of the mounting supports 105 are straight and extending along the
longitudinal direction 3. According to an alternative embodiment, one or more of the mounting supports
105 are straight and extending along the longitudinal direction 3 and one or more of the mounting
supports 105 are straight and extending along the longitudinal direction 3.
25
[83] Fig. 4 shows a suitable computing system 800 enabling to implement embodiments of the
system. Computing system 800 may in general be formed as a suitable general-purpose computer and
comprise a bus 810, a processor 802, a local memory 804, one or more optional input interfaces 814,
one or more optional output interfaces 816, a communication interface 812, a storage element interface
30 806, and one or more storage elements 808. Bus 810 may comprise one or more conductors that permit
communication among the components of the computing system 800. Processor 802 may include any
type of conventional processor or microprocessor that interprets and executes programming instructions.
Local memory 804 may include a random-access memory (RAM) or another type of dynamic storage
device that stores information and instructions for execution by processor 802 and/or a read only memory
35 (ROM) or another type of static storage device that stores static information and instructions for use by
processor 802. Input interface 814 may comprise one or more conventional mechanisms that permit an
operator or user to input information to the computing device 800, such as a keyboard 820, a mouse 830,
a pen, voice recognition and/or biometric mechanisms, a camera, etc. Output interface 816 may
comprise one or more conventional mechanisms that output information to the operator or user, such as
40 a display 840, etc. Communication interface 812 may comprise any transceiver-like mechanism such as
for example one or more Ethernet interfaces that enables computing system 800 to communicate with
other devices and/or systems, for example with other computing devices 881, 882, 883. The
27
communication interface 812 of computing system 800 may be connected to such another computing
system by means of a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN) such as for example the
internet. Storage element interface 806 may comprise a storage interface such as for example a Serial
Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) interface or a Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) for
5 connecting bus 810 to one or more storage elements 808, such as one or more local disks, for example
SATA disk drives, and control the reading and writing of data to and/or from these storage elements 808.
Although the storage element(s) 808 above is/are described as a local disk, in general any other suitable
computer-readable media such as a removable magnetic disk, optical storage media such as a CD or
DVD, -ROM disk, solid state drives, flash memory cards, … could be used. Computing system 800 could
10 thus correspond to the analyzing means 103 in the embodiment illustrated by Fig. 1.
[84] Fig. 5 illustrates an example embodiment of a illumination means and acquisition means 103
according to the present disclosure. Components having identical reference numbers than on Fig. 1, Fig.
2, Fig. 3A or Fig. 3B fulfill the same functions. The illumination means 102 and the acquisition means 103
15 of Fig. 5 are an example embodiment of the illuminations means 102 and the acquisition means 103 of
Fig. 1 of the present disclosure. The illumination means 102 comprise a plurality of light sources 112.
The illumination means 102 is configured to successively illuminate the skin surface area having been
subjected to the allergen skin reaction test under a plurality of predetermined illumination angles with
respect the acquisition means 103. The acquisition means 103 are fixedly positioned with respect to the
20 skin surface area. The acquisition means 103 are configured to image, for each of the predetermined
illumination angles, the illuminated skin surface corresponding to the skin surface area being illuminated
by the illumination means 102 under a predetermined illumination angle. The acquisition means 103
capture one or more images of the skin surface area for each of the predetermined illumination angles,
thereby generating a set of images of the skin surface are for the allergen skin reaction test. The body
25 part extends along a longitudinal direction 3 and the acquisition means 103 are positioned along a
receiving direction 4 traverse to the longitudinal direction 3 to image the illuminated skin surface under
each predetermined illumination angle. The acquisition means 103 are positioned at a fixed
predetermined receiving distance from the skin surface area for all of the predetermined illumination
angles. The illumination means 102 comprise light sources 112, wherein each light source 112 is
30 configured to illuminate the skin surface area. The light sources 112 are positioned under an angle 22
with respect to the receiving direction 4 or to a direction substantially parallel thereto, wherein the angle
22 is larger than 40 degrees. In other words, the angle 22 formed between the receiving direction 4 and
the line 25 in Fig. 5 is larger than 40 degrees. Also, the angle formed between the receiving direction 4
and the line 26 is larger than 40 degrees. light sources are positioned under an angle with respect to the
35 receiving direction or a direction substantially parallel thereto, wherein the angle is larger than 40
degrees. The system according to the present disclosure is compatible with any size of arms being
tested for allergen skin reaction tests. In other words, the system according to the present disclosure is
suitable for testing arms of children as well as arms of adults which demonstrate a larger cross-section
along a plane comprising the receiving direction 4 and the direction traverse to the receiving direction 4
40 and the longitudinal direction 3. The origin 27 corresponds to the intersection between the receiving
direction 4 and a line extending from the origin 27 towards the light source 112 which is the closest to the
acquisition means along the receiving direction 4, i.e. the line 25. The origin 28 corresponds to the
28
intersection between the receiving direction 4 and a line extending from the origin 27 towards the light
source 112 which is the furthest to the acquisition means along the receiving direction 4, i.e. the line 26.
The angle 22 – which is formed between the receiving direction 4 and the line 25;26 extending
respectively from the origin 27;28 towards the corresponding light source 112 – is larger than 40
5 degrees. In other words, the light sources 112 are positioned under an angle 22 with respect to the
receiving direction 4 or a direction substantially parallel thereto, wherein the angle is larger than 40
degrees and wherein the angle 22 is measured from the side of the receiving direction 4 along which the
acquisition means 103 are positioned. The system according to the present disclosure is configured such
that the origin 27 when testing an arm of a child corresponds to the origin 27 when testing an arm of an
10 adult with the same system. The system may further comprise one or more mounting supports
configured to hold the light sources 112. The light sources 112 and/or the mounting supports are
configured to rotate around the body part in a plane comprising the receiving direction 4 and traverse to
the longitudinal direction 3 such that the light sources 112 illuminate the skin surface area under the
predetermined illumination angles, while ensuring that the light sources 112 are positioned under an
15 angle 22 with respect to the receiving direction 4 or to a direction substantially parallel thereto, wherein
the angle 22 is larger than 40 degrees. The light sources 112 and/or the mounting supports are
configured to rotate around the body part in a plane comprising the receiving direction 4 and the
longitudinal direction 3 such that the light sources 112 illuminate the skin surface area under the
predetermined illumination angles, while ensuring that the light sources 112 are positioned under an
20 angle 22 with respect to the receiving direction 4 or to a direction substantially parallel thereto, wherein
the angle 22 is larger than 40 degrees. The positions of the light sources within the illumination means
fan out over an angle of 35 to 55 degrees. In other words, an angle 23 formed between the position of
the light source 112 labelled A on Fig. 5 the closest to the acquisition means 103 along the receiving
direction 4 and the position of the light source 112 labelled B the furthest to the acquisition means 103
25 along the receiving direction 4 is comprised between 35 degrees and 55 degrees. The light sources 112
may be periodically positioned in this angular spread 23. In other words, the angular spread 23 of the
light sources 112 within the illumination means 102 may be periodically divided such that the positions of
the light sources 112 are periodically distributed within the illumination means 102. For example, the
angular spread 23 of the light sources 112 within the illumination means 102 may be periodically divided
30 such that two adjacent light sources 112 are separated by an angle 24 of Fig. 5 of a few degrees, such
as for example two degrees, or three degrees, or four degrees, or five degrees. Alternatively, the light
sources are randomly positioned in this angular spread 23. For example, on Fig. 5 of the present
disclosure, the light sources 112 are positioned under an angle 22 equal to 51.4 degrees with respect to
the receiving direction 4; the illumination means comprise 15 light sources periodically spread from each
35 other under an angle 24 equal to 3.23 degrees; and the light sources 112 are spread over an angular
spread 23 equal to 15 times 3.23 degrees, i.e. 48.5 degrees.
[85] As used in this application, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following:
(a) hardware-only circuit implementations such as implementations in only analog and/or digital
40 circuitry and
(b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable):
(i) a combination of analog and/or digital hardware circuit(s) with software/firmware and
29
(ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal
processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile
phone or server, to perform various functions) and
(c) hardware circuit(s) and/or processor(s), such as microprocessor(s) or a portion of a
5 microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g. firmware) for operation, but the software may not be
present when it is not needed for operation.
This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any
claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation
of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or
10 processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for
example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor
integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device,
or other computing or network device.
15 [86] Although the present invention has been illustrated by reference to specific embodiments, it will
be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the details of the foregoing
illustrative embodiments, and that the present invention may be embodied with various changes and
modifications without departing from the scope thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be
considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by
20 the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the
scope of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.
[87] It will furthermore be understood by the reader of this patent application that the words
"comprising" or "comprise" do not exclude other elements or steps, that the words "a" or "an" do not
25 exclude a plurality, and that a single element, such as a computer system, a processor, or another
integrated unit may fulfil the functions of several means recited in the claims. Any reference signs in the
claims shall not be construed as limiting the respective claims concerned. The terms "first", "second",
third", "a", "b", "c", and the like, when used in the description or in the claims are introduced to distinguish
between similar elements or steps and are not necessarily describing a sequential or chronological order.
30 Similarly, the terms "top", "bottom", "over", "under", and the like are introduced for descriptive purposes
and not necessarily to denote relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are
interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and embodiments of the invention are capable of
operating according to the present invention in other sequences, or in orientations different from the
one(s) described or illustrated above.
30
WE CLAIM:

1. A system (1) for detection and metrology of an allergen skin reaction of an individual, wherein
said system (1) comprises:
5 − testing means (101) configured to host a body part (10) of said individual and to subject a skin
surface area (11) of said body part (10) to an allergen skin reaction test;
− illumination means (102), comprising a plurality of light sources (112), and configured to successively
illuminate said skin surface area (11) having been subjected to said allergen skin reaction test under
a plurality of predetermined illumination angles (20) with respect to a receiving direction (4) along
10 which acquisition means (103) are positioned; and wherein said light sources (112) are positioned
under an angle larger than 40 degrees with respect to said receiving direction (4);
− said acquisition means (103) fixedly positioned with respect to said skin surface area (11) along said
receiving direction (4), wherein said acquisition means (103) is configured to image, for each of said
predetermined illumination angles (20), said illuminated skin surface (21); and
15 − analysing means (104) configured to determine one or more illumination-angle-dependent variations
(202) in light intensity (201) imaged by said acquisition means (103), wherein said illumination-angledependent variations (202) are caused by one or more wheals (2) on said skin surface area (11).
2. A system (1) according to claim 1, wherein:
20 − said skin surface area (11) extends along a longitudinal direction (3);
− said acquisition means are fixedly positioned with respect to said skin surface area (11) along said
receiving direction (4) traverse to said longitudinal direction (3);
− said predetermined illumination angles (20) are formed between said receiving direction (4) and a
lighting direction (7) for each of said light sources (112) of said illumination means (103), wherein a
25 light source (112) tangentially illuminates said skin surface area (11) along said lighting direction (7).
3. A system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said acquisition means (103) are
further configured to capture one or more images (30) of said skin surface area (11) for each of said
predetermined illumination angles (20), thereby generating a set of images (31) of said skin surface area
30 (11) for said allergen skin reaction test.
4. A system (1) according to claim 3, wherein analysing means (103) are further configured to
process said set of images (31) and to determine, from said set of images (31), one or more of the
following:
35 − reflections (203) generated from said illumination by said wheals (2) on said skin surface area (11);
− shadows (204) generated from said illumination by said wheals (2) on said skin surface area (11);
thereby determining said illumination-angle-dependent variations (202) in light intensity (201) imaged by
said acquisition means (103).
40 5. A system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said analysing means (104) are
further configured to determine a location of said wheals (2) on said skin surface area (11) using said
31
illumination-angle-dependent variations (202) in light intensity (201) imaged by said acquisition means
(103).
6. A system (1) according to any of the claims 3 to 5, wherein said analysis means (104) are further
5 configured to determine, from said set of images (31), a size and/or a shape of one or more of said
wheals (2) on said skin surface area (11).
7. A system (1) according to any of the claims 2 to 6, wherein said acquisition means (103) are
positioned along said receiving direction (4) traverse to said longitudinal direction (3) to image said
10 illuminated skin surface (21) under each of said predetermined illumination angles (20).
8. A system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said acquisition means (103) are
positioned at a fixed predetermined receiving distance from said skin surface (11) area for all of said
predetermined illumination angles (20).
15
9. A system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each light source (112) is
configured to illuminate said skin surface area (11); and wherein said system (1) further comprises one or
more mounting supports (105) configured to hold said light sources (112).
20 10. A system (1) according to claims 7 and 9, wherein said light sources (112) and/or said mounting
supports (105) are further configured to rotate around said body part (10) in a plane (5) comprising said
receiving direction (4) and traverse to said longitudinal direction (3) such that said light sources (112)
illuminate said skin surface area (11) under said plurality of predetermined illumination angles (20).
25 11. A system (1) according to claims 7 and 9, wherein said light sources (112) and/or said mounting
supports (105) are further configured to rotate around said body part (10) in a plane (6) comprising said
longitudinal direction (3) of said body part (10) and said receiving direction (4) such that said light
sources (112) illuminate said skin surface area (11) under said plurality of predetermined illumination
angles (20).
30
12. A system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said testing means (101) is
configured to simultaneously deposit one allergen at a predetermined position on said skin surface area
(11) and incise said skin surface area (11) of said individual at each of said predetermined positions.
35 13. A system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein an angular spread (23) of said
light sources (112) within said illumination means (102) is comprised between 35 degrees and 55
degrees.
14. A method for detection and metrology of an allergen skin reaction of an individual, wherein said
40 method comprises the steps of:
− hosting a body part (10) of said individual;
− subjecting a skin surface area (11) of said body part (10) to an allergen skin reaction test;
5
10
15
20
providing a plurality of light sources (112);
arranging said light sources (112) under an angle larger than 40 degrees with respect to a receiving
direction (4) along which said skin surface area (11) being illuminated will be imaged;
successively illuminating said skin surface area (11) having been subjected to said allergen skin
reaction test with said light sources (112) under a plurality of predetermined illumination angles (20)
with respect to a fixed position along said receiving direction (4) along which said rlluminated skin
surface (21)will be imaged;
imaging said illuminated skin surface (21)from said fixed position with respect to said skin surface
area (1 1) and for each of said predetermined illumination angles (20); and
determining one or more illumination-angle-dependent variations (202) in light intensity (201) being
imaged, wherein said illumination-angle-dependent variations (202) ate caused by one or more
wheals (2) on said skin surface area (1 1).
15. A method according to claim 14, wherein said method further comprises the steps of:
- capturing one or more images (30) of said skin surface area (11) for each of said predetermined
illumination angles (20), thereby generating a set of images (31) of said skin surface area (11) for
said allergen skin reaction test;
- determining on said set of images (31) one or more illumination-angle-dependent variations (202) in
light intensity (201) being imaged, wherein said illumination-angle-dependent variations 12021 {e
caused by one or more wheals (2) on said skin surface area (1 1), thereby detecting presence of one
or more wheals (2) on said skin surface area (1 1); and
- determining, from said set of images (31), a location and/or a size and/or a shape of said wheals (2)
on said skin surface area (1 1)