Minimally invasive allergy testing system

Abstract

An allergy testing system includes encapsulated allergens, a microneedle array, and an activation system coupled to the microneedle array and the encapsulated allergens such that the encapsulated allergens are moved into contact with a subject as the microneedle array is moved from a resting position to a penetrating position. A method for determining a degree of reaction to one or more allergens by a patient in a minimally invasive manner is also disclosed. Penetration of one or more microneedles into a skin of the patient is caused. Each of the penetrations into the skin is exposed with an allergen from each of the one or more microneedles. One or more images are captured of each of the penetrations into the skin. Each of the captured images are analyzed to assess the degree of reaction to the specific allergen. Allergic reactivity data is output for at least one of the allergens.

Description

FIELDThe claimed invention generally relates to systems and methods for testing for medical conditions and, more particularly, to systems used to determine a degree of reaction to one or more allergens by a subject in a minimally invasive manner.BACKGROUNDIt is estimated that at least 50% of the population has some form of allergy. Approximately 20 million patients are currently tested for allergies using a number of techniques, for example, skin prick test, intradermal test, blood test, and skin patch test. Allergy test methods, such as the skin prick test are invasive and manual, involving depositing drops of many allergens on a subject's back, forearm, or other smooth body surface, labeling the region for identification, and then pricking the region with a needle to allow penetration of the allergy into the subject's body. The intradermal test is even more invasive, involving injecting a small amount of various allergens into the subject's skin. Due to the nature of these process...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The claimed invention provides a system and method to minimize the invasiveness of allergy testing, degree and area of reaction, testing time, general discomfort, and risk of infection. Another advantage of the claimed invention is that it enables a much smaller test area footprint when compared to prior testing devices. The much smaller footprint also simplifies and expedites the allergy testing process for a medical staff. The claimed invention is compatible with micro-fluidic technology, and therefore much smaller quantities of allergens may be dispensed, reducing the severity of the reaction for a patient, and possibly reducing the cost for the testing. The allergen dispensing process may also be automated in some embodiments, allowing for automated and quantified allergy reactivity data readout, thereby reducing uncertainty and subjectivity. A further advantage possible with automated embodiments is the ability to capture continuous or nearly continuous visual images of an allergy test site. This allows scientist and medical personnel the chance to study the time rate of change for certain allergic reactions, and better understand a patient's reaction and sensitivity. Overall, the minimally invasive allergy testing system enables a relatively fast allergy test cycle time, lowers the cost of such testing, and significantly reduces the chance for errors.

Problems solved by technology

Allergy test methods, such as the skin prick test are invasive and manual, involving depositing drops of many allergens on a subject's back, forearm, or other smooth body surface, labeling the region for identification, and then pricking the region with a needle to allow penetration of the allergy into the subject's body.

The intradermal test is even more invasive, involving injecting a small amount of various allergens into the subject's skin.

Due to the nature of these processes, large areas of the subject's skin tend to be affected.

Unfortunately, blood testing does not surpass the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value of the skin test.

Blood testing for allergies is also a more expensive option.

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