Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
  • A61B1/24—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor for the mouth, i.e. stomatoscopes, e.g. with tongue depressors; Instruments for opening or keeping open the mouth
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
  • A61B1/00163—Optical arrangements
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
  • A61B1/04—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor combined with photographic or television appliances
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
  • A61B5/0059—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence
  • A61B5/0082—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence adapted for particular medical purposes
  • A61B5/0088—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence adapted for particular medical purposes for oral or dental tissue
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
  • A61B5/103—Measuring devices for testing the shape, pattern, colour, size or movement of the body or parts thereof, for diagnostic purposes
  • A61B5/1032—Determining colour of tissue for diagnostic purposes
  • A61B5/1034—Determining colour of tissue for diagnostic purposes by means of colour cards
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
  • A61B5/48—Other medical applications
  • A61B5/4854—Diagnosis based on concepts of alternative medicine, e.g. homeopathy or non-orthodox

Definitions

• known colour acquisition system and image processing system are not able to produce colour calibration with a satisfying degree of approximation to the true colour and a degree of consistency which does not vary across different machines.
• human tongue is a non-rigid organ, the tongue has a high degree of variability in size, shape, colour, and texture. While automated tongue area detection is crucial and indispensable for computer-aided tongue diagnosis, but it is difficult to implement because of the physiological properties of the tongue.
• the present invention seeks to provide an apparatus and method that alleviates the above mentioned drawbacks at least in part.
• the light source is capable of providing light with a high Colour Rendering Index (CRI) of at least 80.
• CRI Colour Rendering Index
• the light source is capable of providing light with a Day Light Colour Temperature of at least 5500K.
• the image acquisition assembly comprises a cylinder and the receiver is a mouth aperture shaped and sized to receive a subject's mouth.
• the mouth aperture is shaped to allow the subject to protrude his tongue for purpose of illumination by the light source. More preferably, the mouth aperture is fitted with a rubber/silicon lining.
• the apparatus comprises a meter for monitoring the operation hours of the image acquisition assembly.
• the apparatus comprises a proximity switch for detecting if the subject is near to an image acquisition device.
• the method further includes the step of determining if the tongue image based on the delta E value should be accepted or rejected; and compensation of the colour difference based on the delta E value.
• the ProPhoto RGB colour space and LAB environment is used for performing colour space configuration/setting.
• Fig. 3 shows various rubber/silicon linings adapted for different sizes for use with the mouth aperture according with an embodiment of the invention
• Fig. 5 shows an alternative filter holder of the image acquisition assembly of Fig. 4.
• Fig. 6a and Fig. 6b shows the back view of the apparatus showing a camera and mobile phone as the image acquisition device.
• Fig. 7 and 8 show the classification of colours based on inputs from TCM practitioners for each tongue image
• Fig. 9 shows an example of a captured tongue image in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
• Fig. 10 shows another possible application of the invention based on the classification of colours of teeth from dental practitioners.
• an apparatus 10 for image acquisition comprising an image acquisition assembly 12.
• the apparatus 10 is adapted to receive a subject or part thereof for image acquisition and processing.
• the apparatus 10 is especially suited (but not limited to) acquire image(s) of human tongues for further processing and classification based on tongue colour.
• the image acquisition assembly 12 comprises a light source and a reflector arranged or positioned to receive the subject there-between for image acquisition; and a receiver for receiving the subject or part thereof for illumination by the light source; wherein the received subject or part thereof, light source and reflector are operable to form an enclosed area such that the subject is illuminated by the light source only, and the reflector comprises a matt surface.
• the apparatus 10 may further include a chin rest assembly 14; and a base plate 16.
• the image acquisition assembly 12 may be mounted onto the base plate 16 using an assembly stand 18.
• the apparatus 10 is suitable for, but not limited to the acquisition of tongue image for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) applications and will be described in the context of a tongue image acquisition device.
• TCM Chinese medicine
• the tongue image acquisition assembly 12 comprises a front cover 22; a central enclosed area 24 and a back cover 26.
• Central enclosed area 24 comprises a slot 28 shaped and positioned on one side of the central enclosed area 24 for holding a light source 30.
• the back cover 26 comprises a mount 31 for mounting an image acquisition device such as a digital camera or mobile phone enabled with an image acquisition device.
• Front cover 22 may be releasably attached/detached to/from the central enclosed area 24 respectively.
• Front cover 22 has an aperture 32 as a receiver shaped to receive a subject for image acquisition.
• the aperture 32 may be a mouth aperture shaped to suitably receive the nose and mouth of a person.
• Mouth aperture 32 is shaped and sized such that when a person places his or her mouth in the central enclosed area 24, the mouth aperture 32 further contacts the cheeks of the person so as to prevent unnecessary movement when the person protrudes or sticks out his/her tongue for image acquisition.
• Front cover 22 further comprises a slot for the insertion of a colour chart 23. Colour chart 23 is used for subsequent colour comparison; calibration and correction after tongue images have been acquired.
• the mouth aperture 32 may optionally be fitted with a rubber/silicon lining 33 as shown in Fig. 3.
• the rubber/silicon lining 33 is disposable and is available in various different sizes to fit different user profile(s). As rubber/silicon lining 33 is flexible and could adapt slightly to the user's nose and mouth profile, rubber/silicon lining 33 further minimize the external lighting from entering the central enclosed area 24 when in use as it fits snugly with the user's nose and mouth.
• Each rubber/silicon lining 33 is preferably a one-time usage item for each individual for hygienic reasons.
• the central enclosed area 24 is preferably a cylinder.
• Central enclosed area 24 comprises a filter/rest holder 34 for holding light filter 36 (see Figure 4 and 5).
• Light filter 36 may be in the form of a suitable paper medium.
• Fig. 4 shows a filter holder 34 having gaps 34a therebetween, each gap covered by filter paper 36, thus allowing filtered light to pass through when the apparatus 10 is in operation.
• Fig. 5 shows an alternative rest holder 34 which is a frame type rest holder 34.
• the rest holder 34 depicted in Fig. 5 provides an continuous area for filter paper 36, which advantageously provide an unblocked region for light from the light source 30/bulb 38 to pass through without being blocked by any other medium except the light filter paper 36.
• At least one bulb 38 is electrically connected to the light source 30.
• rest holder 34 When in use, rest holder 34 is positioned at a distance from the at least one bulb 38.
• An example of a suitable light source 30 would be one of high Colour Rendering Index (CRI) e.g. 80 or above and with Day Light Colour Temperature of at least 5500K (approximating sunlight).
• CRI Colour Rendering Index
• the internal surface of the cylinder 24 is preferably matt so that it enhances the "daylight effect” i.e. it increases the colour rendering index and day light colour temperature to achieve the required CRI and colour temperature.
• the daylight effect may be enhanced by deliberate design of the curvature; the surface; and the colour properties of interface surface of the central enclosed area 24.
• the reflected light is directed towards the tongue (when in proper use) and thereby further illuminates the tongue.
• the internal surface of the central enclosed area 24 thus acts as a 'sun bounce', i.e. the curved internal surface of the central enclosed area 24 functions as a reflector.
• the light source for example camera flash
• the subject is positioned in between the internal surface (reflector) and the light source.
• An exhaust fan 40 may be positioned at the base of the central enclosed area 24.
• the exhaust fan 40 may be placed at a suitable position near to the front cover 22 where the aperture 32 is.
• One particular use of the exhaust fan 40 is to remove moisture from the central enclosed area 24. Moisture may enter the central enclosed area 24 for example when the subject breathes into the central enclosed area 24 and/or evaporation of moisture on the tongue when image acquisition is taking place, thereby creating an environment which may cause the image acquisition device (e.g. the camera lens) to be blurred. Moisture may also be further introduced into the central enclosed area 24 when the aperture lining 33 is put in place.
• the exhaust fan 40 advantageously removes the moisture within the central enclosed area 24. Alternatively, any suitable removing agent may be suitably incorporated to remove moisture.
• the back cover 26 comprises a mount 31 for mounting the image acquisition device 42.
• the image acquisition device 42 may be either a digital camera or a mobile phone enabled with a camera or image capturing device, or any other suitable image acquisition device. It is to be appreciated that the image acquisition device 42 is capable of capturing and saving images in RAW format.
• An example of a mobile phone which supports RAW format is the Mystery HTC Windows PhoneTM.
• the tongue image acquisition assembly 12 may further include a mirror fixture 44.
• the mirror fixture 44 is intended for a user to adjust his or her own position in order to capture proper images independently, especially where a qualified practitioner/technician is not around.
• the tongue image acquisition assembly 12 is mounted on the assembly stand 18 which is subsequently mounted onto the base plate 16.
• the chin rest assembly 14 is mountable at a position adjacent to one end of the base plate 16. Chin rest assembly 14 further comprises a forehead support as added support for the subject to restrict movement when image acquisition is taking place. Tongue image acquisition assembly 12 is movable along a portion of a length of the base plate 16. This is enabled via a slot 46 made in the base plate 16. The assembly stand 8 interfaces with the slot 46.

Landscapes

• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Surgery (AREA)
• Medical Informatics (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Biomedical Technology (AREA)
• Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
• Biophysics (AREA)
• Molecular Biology (AREA)
• Pathology (AREA)
• Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
• Optics & Photonics (AREA)
• Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
• Dentistry (AREA)
• Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (AREA)
• Alternative & Traditional Medicine (AREA)
• Audiology, Speech & Language Pathology (AREA)
• Measuring And Recording Apparatus For Diagnosis (AREA)

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=49300857

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (2)

Cited By (10)

Citations (5)

• 2012
  • 2012-04-04 SG SG2012024493A patent/SG193674A1/en unknown
• 2013
  • 2013-04-04 WO PCT/SG2013/000133 patent/WO2013151509A1/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2013-04-04 SG SG11201406312XA patent/SG11201406312XA/en unknown

Patent Citations (5)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events