Oral cancer screening device

Abstract

An oral cancer screening device 10 used for the detection of pre-cancerous and cancerous tissue has a power supply 100, an illumination source 200, a selector switch 300 that enables the activation of a specific wavelength of light from the illumination source 200, an electrical system 400 in communication with the selector switch 300 and the illumination source 200, a heat sink 500 in thermal communication with the illumination source, a filter or cover 600 to protect the illumination source, and a transparent sheath 700 for providing a sanitary shield for the device when it is brought into contact or close proximity with the patient oral cavity. The sheath may optionally have an angled mirror incorporated at a distal end of the sheath to provide the operator with a reflected image of the illuminated tissue 900. The operator will optionally utilize head mounted lenses 800 to assist the operator's visualization of the light from the illuminated oral cavity.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The present application, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 111(b), claims the benefit of the earlier filing date of provisional application Ser. No. 61 / 188,222 filed Aug. 7, 2008, and entitled “Apparatus for Optical Spectroscopic Identification of Cancer in Clinical Use” and provisional application Ser. No. 61 / 199,466 filed Nov. 17, 2008, and entitled “Oral Cancer Screening Device.”BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The invention relates to a medical device for use in the identification of oral pre-cancerous and cancerous conditions. More particularly, the present invention relates to an oral cancer screening device having an illumination source, a selector switch to enable the selection of a light source having a specific wavelength, an LED or laser diode at a distal end of the device, and a filter, an optical mixing element or diffuser, a beam shaper or a cover to protect the LED or laser diode.[0004]2. Description of th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]One embodiment of the invention provides an oral screening device for the detection of pre-cancerous and cancerous tissue. The screening device 10 has a power supply 100, an illumination source 200, a selector switch 300 that enables the activation of a specific wavelength of light from the illumination source 200, a microprocessor 400 in communication with the selector switch 300 and the illumination source 200, a heat sink 500 in thermal communication with the illumination source, a filter or cover 600 to protect the illumination source, and a transparent sheath 700 for providing a sanitary shield for the device when it is brought into contact or close proximity with the patient oral cavity. The sheath may optionally have an angled mirror incorporated at a distal end of the sheath to provide the operator with a reflected image of the illuminated tissue 900. The operator will optionally utilize head mounted lenses 800 to assist the operator's visualization of the light from the illuminated oral cavity. The filter or cover 600 may have optical mixing or beam shaping qualities.

Problems solved by technology

The difficulty in detecting early stages of oral cancer means that oral cancer has one of the worst survival rates of all cancers.

Unfortunately, patient survival 5 years after diagnosis has remained poor, with little improvement over the last 30 years (<50%), mainly because most cases of oral cancer are detected late (at stages III and IV) in the disease process.

Unfortunately, published studies indicate that currently less than 15% of those who visit a dentist regularly report having had an oral cancer screening.

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