Method, computer readable medium and computer program for assisting first user in capturing digital image of transparent wound dressing and for assisting second user in viewing digital image of transparent wound dressing

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for assisting a user (38) in capturing a digital image (14, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e, 60, 66) of a transparent wound dressing (4, 62), preferably for monitoring the healing process of a wound (2) applied with and visible through a transparent wound dressing (4, 62), to a method for assisting a user in viewing a digital image (40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e) of a transparent wound dressing (4, 62), preferably for monitoring the healing process of a wound (2) applied with and visible through the transparent wound dressing (4, 62), the invention also relates to a corresponding computer program and a computer readable medium. Furthermore, a system is described for assisting a first user (38) in capturing a digital image (14, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e, 60, 66) of the transparent wound dressing (4, 62) and for assisting a second user in viewing the digital image (14, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e, 60, 66) of the transparent wound dressing (4, 62). In order to enhance the user friendliness and reliability of the digital image acquisition, it is proposed that an overlay image (16, 30) with a visual indication (18a, 18b) is superimposed on the currently obtained digital image (14, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e, 60, 66).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for assisting a first user in capturing a digital image of a transparent wound dressing, preferably for monitoring the healing process of a wound covered with a transparent wound dressing and visible through the transparent wound dressing, to a method for assisting a second user in viewing a digital image of a transparent wound dressing, and to a corresponding computer program and computer-readable medium. Furthermore, a system for assisting a first user in capturing a digital image of a transparent wound dressing and for assisting a second user in viewing a digital image of a transparent wound dressing is described. Background Art

[0002] In the context of the digitization of services across all disciplines, it is known to equip healthcare professionals with mobile hardware and software to support them in their daily tasks. For example, applications are known that can reliably identify wound types based on images of wounds and expert input from healthcare personnel present with the patient on site. Furthermore, applications are known that can suggest the type of plaster or wound dressing suitable for the wound type. Although such digital tools facilitate the work of healthcare professionals or nurses, they mainly rely at least in part on the expertise of these users and are rarely intended for use by the patients themselves.

[0003] If a patient is discharged immediately after surgery has taken place, it would be convenient if the patient could participate in the recording of the wound healing. However, in order to obtain information that can actually be used as a basis for healthcare, the reproducibility of the acquisition or the acquisition conditions are very important. Overall, and for most data sets intended for subsequent analysis, and especially data sets that should enable comparisons to determine evolution or changes, it is desirable to minimize the number of parameters that are variable and not part of the parameters to be monitored. For example, in the specific case of monitoring the evolution of an item (such as a surgical wound) by analyzing digital images of the item taken continuously over time, it would be ideal if only the item depicted changed from image to image. However, precisely because the consecutive images are taken at different times, it is difficult to reproduce the acquisition conditions from one image to another. Parameters such as the shooting angle, brightness, and the distance between the imaging sensor used and the item may vary more or less. These difficulties concern not only patients but even trained professionals.

[0004] An aid for monitoring wound healing after surgery is a wound dressing known from the prior art, which is at least partially transparent. Such a transparent wound dressing allows the state of the wound it protects to be observed without having to be removed. In this way, the healing process can be followed without altering the beneficial effect of the protection. However, even for wounds protected by such a transparent wound dressing, medical follow-up requires precise information collection, which is most often carried out by qualified healthcare staff (e.g., healthcare professionals at the patient's location). For example, after discharge, generally qualified personnel are seen to be responsible for collecting information and traveling from patient to patient. Alternatively, the patient must return to the healthcare facility to allow medical staff to monitor the progress of wound healing on site.

[0005] Generally, collecting information suitable for diagnostic analysis, especially collecting sets of information that are easy to compare with each other, is not trivial and there is a constant need for improvement. In addition to the quality of image or data acquisition and the quality of processing or handling of the information, the way in which the information obtained is provided to, for example, healthcare professionals has a great impact on the quality of the diagnosis. In particular, the comparability of the data presented is of utmost importance for the quality of the diagnosis. Currently, data collection for diagnostic purposes is therefore mainly done by healthcare professionals to ensure high-quality data. Since this results in a high workload for healthcare professionals, it would be beneficial if patients could participate in data collection without reducing the quality of subsequent diagnosis.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for improved systems and methods applicable to both patients and healthcare professionals, and in particular for assisting such users in obtaining and / or viewing information about wounds, especially in a reliable manner for subsequent analysis. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to improve existing methods and products. In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide methods and digital products capable of recording information about wounds in a reliable manner, with the aim of providing sufficient information material suitable for use as a basis for monitoring wounds over time and being user-friendly for both trained healthcare professionals and patients.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method, a computer program, and a computer-readable medium that are user-friendly for patients having a wound that has been dressed after a medical procedure, where the healing process of the wound should be further monitored, for example, after discharge.

[0009] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method, a computer program, and a computer-readable medium that facilitate access by a healthcare professional to information that has been detected over time and pertains to a wound whose healing process is to be monitored.

[0010] The present invention achieves these objects by a method for assisting a user in capturing a digital image of a transparent wound dressing, which method is preferably used for monitoring the healing process of a wound covered by a transparent wound dressing and visible through the transparent wound dressing, the method comprising at least the following steps: obtaining at least one digital image of the transparent wound dressing by means of an imaging device, and displaying the at least one obtained digital image of the transparent wound dressing by means of a user interface; superimposing an overlay image on the at least one digital image of the transparent wound dressing displayed by the user interface; and saving the at least one digital image of the transparent wound dressing.

[0011] Superimposing the overlay image on the digital image provides an indication to the user of the imaging device on how to take a picture. In particular, the overlay image sets a framework for a plurality of acquisition conditions, which is intuitive for the user to follow. As an effect, the image acquisition conditions can be easily adapted to capture a digital image with as little deviation as possible from the indication given by the overlay image.

[0012] In this way, the patient can obtain an image of the transparent wound dressing he is wearing himself and at least partially meet the predetermined specifications of the image acquisition conditions. Since the wound dressing is transparent, the acquired image also shows the underlying wound, such that the information of the digital image obtained in this way is suitable as a basis for subsequent medical analysis.

[0013] A digital image can be a data set comprising information about an image composed of picture elements (also called pixels), each picture element having a finite, discrete number of numerical representations of its intensity, gray level, and / or color code, wherein each picture element or pixel has an assigned spatial position within the image surface defined by a two-dimensional function, where the spatial coordinates are represented by x and y on the x-axis and y-axis, respectively. A digital image can be captured by collecting information about light intensity, gray level, and / or color described by a color code, such as coordinates in an RGB color space, as a function of the spatial position on a predetermined surface, and storing the collected information at least temporarily in a computer-readable memory. In this case, the picture element position or pixel position within the digital image corresponds to the spatial position within the light-sensing surface of the light sensor.

[0014] Obtaining at least one digital image is performed by means of an imaging device. Such an imaging device may include at least one sensor, at least one processor, and at least one memory, wherein the at least one sensor, the at least one processor, and the at least one memory are connected to each other for transmitting information. The at least one sensor may have a predetermined acquisition surface that is sensitive to light or at least to a certain range of electromagnetic waves. The at least one sensor is configured to acquire light intensity, gray level, and / or color code as a function of the spatial position on its acquisition surface, and is configured to transmit the acquired information to the memory. The processor may be configured to read information from the memory and convert the read information into a corresponding digital signal.

[0015] The user interface may have at least one display and be connected to the imaging device. The display may be configured to process the digital signal corresponding to the digital image into a visible light image and present the visible light image. In addition, the user interface may have at least one user input detector and processor configured to obtain user input and execute commands corresponding to the user input. In this way, the user to whom at least one of the obtained digital images is displayed can interact with the user interface and, in response, input a user input having an instruction. As an example, the user input may correspond to an instruction to trigger saving the displayed digital image.

[0016] The user interface and the imaging device may be combined into a single device. As an example, a smart phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or any other mobile device having a camera and a display may be used in the present method to both obtain at least one digital image and display the obtained digital image. Preferably, the mobile device used in the method of the present invention is a smart phone or a tablet computer.

[0017] The at least one digital image is an image of a transparent wound dressing. In other words, the information collected, including light intensity, gray level, and / or color code, at least partially corresponds to the presentation of the transparent wound dressing as a function of the spatial position.

[0018] In the context of the present invention, a transparent wound dressing can be any kind of article capable of protecting a wound and which is at least partially transparent. A "wound" in this context can be any type of open wound, such as a tear in the skin. For example, the wound can be a surgical wound, i.e., a wound caused by surgical intervention. The wound can also be a tear caused by an accident. The wound dressing is preferably a medical dressing capable of absorbing fluids (such as wound fluid). Thus, an absorbent dressing is preferred. The wound dressing can be adapted to be used on the skin (such as human skin) and will thus adhere to the skin of the wearer, such as the skin of a patient. In order to be able to absorb wound fluid, the wound dressing can include one or more absorbents. The wound dressing can additionally include further layers with various properties - such as layers that promote adhesion to the skin or enhance the integrity of the dressing and / or layers with additional functions, such as layers suitable for enhancing the wound healing process by providing additional absorbent capacity or releasing active agents that support the wound healing process.

[0019] The wound dressing can, for example, comprise or consist of the following: (a) a cover layer; (b) an absorbent or absorbents on the wound-facing side of the cover layer, and (c) a wound contact layer on the wound-facing side of the one or more absorbents. Additionally, the wound dressing can include an adhesive layer on the wound-facing side of the wound contact layer. It will be understood that all components of the wound dressing can be fully or partially transparent to promote the required transparency of the wound dressing.

[0020] The term "transparent" or "transparency" refers to the property of transmitting light, with at least a certain degree of light being transmitted from one side to the other. The transmittance can vary from fully transparent to opaque. However, digital images collected in the context of the present invention preferably show the underlying wound in order to allow monitoring of the wound healing process. Thus, the degree of light transmission is preferably selected to allow observation through the wound dressing. Specifically, a "transparent" wound dressing in this context indicates that features (such as a wound) on the surface immediately below the wound dressing (e.g., the skin of a patient) will be visible through the wound dressing (e.g., when observed by a person at a distance of 25 cm). The wound dressing can be completely transparent, i.e., transparent over its entire surface, or can have one or more transparent sections that enable the user to observe the underlying wound.

[0021] The overlapping image can be a digital data set corresponding to information on light intensity, gray level, and / or color code as a function of a spatial position on a predetermined surface. Thus, the overlapping image can be a color image and / or a black-and-white image. Moreover, the overlapping image is configured to be visually superimposed on at least one digital image at least. In the framework of the present invention, the term "superimposition" shall cover the simultaneous display of the digital image and the overlapping image together, wherein the spatial positions of the image elements or pixels of both the digital image and the overlapping image are matched. Preferably, the overlapping image is configured to have a transparency level that allows the digital image on which the overlapping image can be superimposed to be visible through.

[0022] In one embodiment, at least two digital images of a transparent wound dressing are obtained by means of an imaging device, at least two digital images of the transparent wound dressing are displayed as a live feed by means of a user interface, and the overlapping image is superimposed on the live feed displayed by the user interface.

[0023] Thereby, the overlapping image gives an indication of what the digital image to be saved should look like, and gives the possibility of changing the current acquisition conditions. As a result, it helps the user to adjust, in real time and in situ, the shooting position or angle of the imaging device, for example, to obtain a digital image under desired conditions. In particular, it allows the user to be guided in an intuitive way to predetermined acquisition conditions.

[0024] In the sense of the present invention, the live feed can be a presentation of a digital image sequence that has been continuously acquired in the very recent past before the presentation or at least over a very small number of time units. In particular, the term "live feed" includes the form of real-time video.

[0025] According to another embodiment, the overlapping image includes at least one visual indication of the appearance of the transparent wound dressing, and the visual indication should be at least partially presented on at least one digital image of the transparent wound dressing to be saved.

[0026] The overlapping image is superimposed with an indication of, for example, the size that the transparent wound dressing is expected to display on the digital image to be saved, and is used as a reference for adjusting the distance between the imaging device and the transparent wound dressing so as to match the desired size pattern as much as possible.

[0027] At least one visual indication may be a representation of at least one piece of information regarding the size, length, width, thickness, distance, size ratio, shape, curve, contour, angle, color, appearance, pattern, contrast, position, type, or combination thereof of the transparent wound dressing. Specifically, the visual indication may be the shape of the wound dressing, including the shape of the structural element and / or sub-structural element of the wound dressing, such as, for example, a gel pad or an edge region having an adhesion function. The visual indication may be presented as a schematic presentation, a drawing, a photograph. Such a schematic presentation may consist of or include frames, partial frames, lines. The schematic representation may be adapted to the contour of the wound dressing used, for example, having the same shape as the wound dressing when worn and observed in the skin direction from the distal direction. For example, a schematic presentation in the form of a frame or a partial frame may have an oval shape, a rounded shape, an elliptical shape, a rectangular shape, a cloverleaf shape, or one or more parts of these shapes. One or more parts of these shapes may be, for example, two parts of these shapes (such as an ellipse), showing, for example, only 5% - 30% of the distal part of the shape and 5% - 30% of the proximal part of the shape.

[0028] According to yet another embodiment, at least one visual indication has the same or substantially the same aspect ratio as the aspect ratio of the transparent wound dressing for which a digital image should be saved.

[0029] This allows assisting the user in adjusting the position and angle of the imaging device relative to the transparent wound dressing such that the imaging device is then positioned to acquire a digital image according to the expectation. In particular, an overlay image showing a visual indication with a specific aspect ratio limits the range of possible positions of the imaging device for proper acquisition. Correspondingly, the overlay image serves as an accurate and simple indication for guiding the user towards the expected acquisition conditions.

[0030] The aspect ratio of the shape of the transparent wound dressing may be understood as the ratio or dimensional relationship between the contours of the shape of the transparent dressing. Specifically, the aspect ratio of a rectangular shape is the ratio of its dimensions in different dimensions. For example, when a rectangle is oriented in "landscape", the aspect ratio of the rectangle is the ratio of its long side to its short side - the width to the height. For an ellipse, the aspect ratio represents the ratio of the major axis to the minor axis.

[0031] In an exemplary embodiment, the aspect ratio of the shape of the wound dressing presented on the overlay image and the shape itself may be the only information required for the schematic presentation that generates the overlay image.

[0032] According to another embodiment, at least one digital image of the transparent wound dressing is saved in association with a timing indicator.

[0033] As a beneficial effect, the acquisition time of digital images can be considered for later analysis. When several digital images are saved, they can then be placed in the order of their respective acquisition times. Overall, this feature enables the monitoring of the evolution of the transparent wound dressing and the wound covered with the transparent wound dressing.

[0034] The temporal indicator can be the sequential position of the digital image in the digital image sequence, a time stamp indicating the time when at least one digital image is saved, a number created by an iterative process when counting the saved digital images, the temporal order in a serialized list.

[0035] According to another embodiment, the method further comprises: before superimposing the overlapping image on at least one digital image of the transparent wound dressing displayed by the user interface, checking whether at least one digital image of the transparent wound dressing has been saved in association with a past temporal indicator; if so, using one of the at least one digital image of the transparent wound dressing saved in association with the past temporal indicator to obtain the overlapping image; and if not, retrieving and using information about the appearance that the transparent wound dressing should exhibit at least partially on the at least one digital image to be saved to obtain the overlapping image.

[0036] Thus, several digital images of the wound covered with the transparent wound dressing can be reliably obtained over time under similar acquisition conditions, regardless of the level of expertise of the user assisted by the method. In particular, a first digital image can be obtained from the overlapping image with at least approximate acquisition conditions as indicated by a visual indication, the overlapping image displaying the first overlapping image as a drawing or schematic representation with a visual indication of the shape of the transparent wound dressing, and then further digital images of the transparent wound dressing can be obtained by guiding the user with the first digital image itself as a transparent overlapping image using detection conditions similar to those of the first image.

[0037] The check of whether a digital image has been saved in the past can be performed by retrieving information about the digital image saved on the memory and analyzing the corresponding temporal indicator (if any).

[0038] Retrieving information about the appearance that a transparent wound dressing should present on an image to be saved can be performed by receiving information from a memory that stores information issued from an earlier user input or obtained via a method for automatic or semi-automatic recognition of the wound dressing. In particular, information about the appearance of the transparent wound dressing can include the output of a computer program for identifying or suggesting the type of wound dressing performed upstream of the present method. Alternatively or in addition, retrieving information about the appearance of the transparent wound dressing can be performed by presenting corresponding questions to the user via a user interface, collecting user input, processing the user input and creating an overlapping image with visual indications corresponding to the user input, or retrieving a prepared overlapping image with visual indications corresponding to the user input from a database. For example, the user can receive questions about the type of wound dressing used, where "type" can be defined, for example, by: the manufacturer, a trade name, dimensions, shape and / or other information suitable for characterizing the wound dressing, in particular the shape and dimensions of the wound dressing.

[0039] Using a digital image of a transparent wound dressing saved in association with a past chronological indicator to obtain an overlapping image can include: saving a copy of the past digital image; modifying its characteristics such that the user interface displays it as the digital image on which the overlapping image should be superimposed with a higher level of transparency; and saving the modified copy as the overlapping image. When using a combination of at least two of at least one digital image of a transparent wound dressing saved in association with a past chronological indicator, the characteristics of these digital images can be collected and processed to create a superimposed image having characteristics corresponding to the progression of the characteristics of the past digital images and having a higher level of transparency as the digital image on which the overlapping image should be superimposed.

[0040] According to another embodiment, saving at least one digital image of a transparent wound dressing is automatically triggered as a result of a comparison between the characteristics of at least one digital image obtained by an imaging device and the characteristics of the overlapping image.

[0041] This automatic triggering increases both user-friendliness and the reliability of the method. Digital images acquired under desired acquisition conditions can be automatically saved. Thereby, the number of interventions performed by the user himself is reduced. In addition, image acquisition is triggered based on predetermined objective criteria and thus does not depend on the user's judgment.

[0042] The characteristics to be compared can be selected, for example, from the group consisting of: pixel positions of contrast, thresholds for exceeding or weakening the light intensity or gray level at specific pixel positions, distances between contrasts. The term contrast herein refers to the distinguishable differences of an object (or its representation in an image or display). In terms of visual perception, contrast can be determined by the differences in color and brightness between an object and other objects in the same visual field. Thus, by comparing specific high-contrast pixel positions in a digital image with similar high-contrast pixel positions in an overlapping image, the matching of the object positions of, for example, a transparent wound dressing can be identified.

[0043] Saving at least one digital image can be triggered based on the recognition of a match between the characteristics of a portion of a digital image and the characteristics of an overlapping image. For example, a digital image can be recognized as matching an overlapping image, for which the transparent wound dressing is presented in a smaller size but the correct position, brightness, etc. as in the overlapping image. This can be performed by considering a scaled version of the digital image for comparison with the overlapping image.

[0044] It is possible to utilize algorithms for object recognition in digital images, or algorithms of artificial intelligence models that can be trained, for example, in recognizing transparent wound dressings or wounds.

[0045] According to another embodiment, saving at least one digital image of a transparent wound dressing is automatically triggered after a predetermined duration.

[0046] This automatic triggering also improves user-friendliness and enables a simple design of the method and the devices involved in the method.

[0047] For example, the predetermined duration can start at the start of displaying the overlapping image, start obtaining at least one digital image via an imaging device, detect a user input with a corresponding command, or automatically recognize a match between the characteristics of the overlapping image and the characteristics of at least one obtained digital image.

[0048] According to another embodiment, the method further includes: outputting a first signal when the result of the comparison between the characteristics of at least one digital image in the digital images obtained by the imaging device and the characteristics of the overlapping image falls within a predetermined similarity range; and / or outputting a second signal when the result of the comparison between the characteristics of at least one digital image in the at least one digital image obtained by the imaging device and the characteristics of the overlapping image falls outside the predetermined similarity range. The first signal can be a pointer that the user's conditions are not optimal for image acquisition, while the second signal can be a pointer for the user to trigger image acquisition.

[0049] Using the signals, the user can be guided based on objective criteria for comparison. Thus, user assistance and the success probability are enhanced.

[0050] A predefined similarity range can be stored in a memory and is based on earlier user input or information given by the producer or programmer of the devices involved in the method. The predefined range can include information about at least one parameter value corresponding to at least one of the characteristics on which the comparison is based, and at least a tolerance range for the corresponding at least one parameter value. The similarity can correspond to the difference obtained by comparing corresponding characteristics of a digital image and an overlapping image. Correspondingly, a high similarity would be a relatively low value difference of the characteristics being compared, while a low similarity would be a relatively high value difference of the characteristics being compared. The range of similarity allows an objective judgment as to whether the similarity is high or low.

[0051] The first signal is intended to indicate a situation where the general position of the imaging device or the acquisition conditions are too far from the expected acquisition conditions set by the overlapping image, while the second signal is intended to indicate the situation when a match is recognized between the overlapping image and at least one of the obtained digital images.

[0052] According to another embodiment, the method further comprises automatically adapting the settings of the imaging device based on the result of a comparison between the characteristics of at least one digital image obtained by the imaging device and the characteristics of the overlapping image.

[0053] This feature also enhances user - friendliness and at the same time further increases the chance of success, as user intervention is avoided through the automatic setting of the imaging device. Additionally, adapting the acquisition conditions via adjustment of the device settings provides an additional way to meet the expected acquisition conditions.

[0054] The settings of the imaging device can be selected, for example, from the group consisting of: focal length, focus distance, exposure time, aperture of the lens, sensitivity of the sensor to light or ISO, stability or movement of the imaging device, optical stability of the lens or sensor, image file format, white balance, contrast of bright tones compared to dark tones, color saturation or color space, sharpness, image compression affecting the size of the image file, and brightness.

[0055] According to another embodiment, the method further comprises obtaining identification information assigned to a patient wearing a transparent wound dressing and / or assigned to the transparent wound dressing; and saving at least one digital image of the transparent wound dressing associated with the obtained identification information.

[0056] This allows at least one of the saved digital images and thus the wound state visible through the transparent wound dressing presented on the digital image to be assigned to a specific patient or patient file. In particular, several digital images saved with the same identification information or accompanying identification information related to the same wound or patient can be collected for later analysis and monitoring of the healing process.

[0057] The term "identification information" shall be understood to include personal-related data, such as name, surname, date of birth, gender, address, date of hospital visit, information on medical interventions, medications and the like, as well as codes that allow anonymization, such as code numbers or sequences of letters. Such information may be a unique code generated by a computer, which can be converted into human-related data when processed together with the encoded data.

[0058] According to another embodiment, the method further comprises obtaining wound information about a wound covered with a transparent wound dressing; and storing at least one digital image of the transparent wound dressing associated with at least one piece of the obtained wound information.

[0059] This embodiment allows for the collection of supplementary information about a wound covered with a wound dressing, so as to enable a qualified person receiving the output of this method to subsequently better monitor the wound healing process.

[0060] It should be noted that the method described herein is not a method of treatment or diagnosis, but a method for collecting and processing information that can be used by healthcare personnel later in a separate diagnostic method. This also applies to the computer-readable medium and the computer program described therein. It is also possible to perform a method with additional diagnostic steps by viewing at least one stored digital image of the transparent wound dressing. In particular, the viewing can be performed by comparing at least one stored digital image with at least one previous digital image of the transparent wound dressing.

[0061] The wound information can be selected, for example, from the group consisting of: the color of the wound, body temperature, temperature in the wound area, appearance of the wound area, whether fluid leaks from the wound, whether the wound is closed or open, and whether the transparent wound dressing has been replaced.

[0062] The wound dressing information can be obtained as user input, for example, by means of a user interface, or via an upstream computer program or method for determining the wound information.

[0063] According to the present invention, the above object is also achieved by a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a device, cause the device to perform the above method. Preferably, the device is a mobile device, in particular a smart phone.

[0064] The above object is also achieved according to the present invention by a computer-readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing the method according to the present invention. Preferably, the device is a mobile device, in particular a smart phone.

[0065] According to the present invention, the above object is also achieved by a method for assisting a user in viewing digital images of a transparent wound dressing, the method comprising at least the following steps: obtaining at least two digital images of the transparent wound dressing captured according to the above method, wherein each digital image of the transparent wound dressing is associated with a corresponding timing indicator; providing a slider, wherein the slider can assume at least as many positions as there are digital images of the transparent wound dressing that have been obtained, and wherein one position of the slider is assigned to a timing indicator of at least two of the obtained digital images of the transparent wound dressing; and displaying one of the at least two digital images of the transparent wound dressing to which the current position of the slider is assigned.

[0066] The method preferably utilizes digital images obtained by the method for assisting a user in capturing digital images of a transparent wound dressing as described above and is complementary thereto. Using this method, the digital images can be placed in sequence according to the order or time of corresponding acquisition of the digital images. In this way, the digital images can actually be used to analyze the evolution of the wound visible through the transparent wound dressing presented in the digital images. Thus, the user viewing the digital images can be a healthcare professional (HCP), for example, an HCP located at a location remote from the patient (such as in a hospital). The method enables the HCP to remotely monitor the progress of wound healing.

[0067] The slider can be a movable cursor, wherein the cursor can assume at least two different positions within a predetermined range of positions. In particular, the movable cursor can be moved along an axial direction according to a user input, and the range of positions includes at least two positions with different coordinate values in the axial direction.

[0068] Specifically, the transition between digital images with consecutive timing indicators can be displayed in such a way that the digital images blend in as the cursor moves from a first position to a subsequent position.

[0069] Alternatively, it is possible to display only the digital image with the timing indicator assigned to the current position of the cursor of the slider.

[0070] According to the present invention, the above object is also achieved by a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a device, cause the device to perform the method for assisting a user in viewing digital images of a transparent wound dressing as described above.

[0071] According to the present invention, the above object is also achieved by a computer-readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing the method for assisting a user in viewing digital images of a transparent wound dressing as described above.

[0072] According to the present invention, the above object is also achieved by a system for assisting a first user in capturing a digital image of a transparent wound dressing and for assisting a second user in viewing the digital image of the transparent wound dressing, the system at least comprising the following: a first mobile device having the first computer-readable medium, an imaging device, and a user interface as described above; a second device having the second computer-readable medium and a second user interface as described above; and a server adapted to obtain from the first mobile device at least one digital image of the transparent wound dressing captured by the first mobile device, preferably at least two digital images, store the obtained at least one digital image of the transparent wound dressing captured by the first mobile device, and transmit the stored at least one digital image of the transparent wound dressing captured by the first mobile device to the second device.

[0073] Such a system is configured to assist a user in capturing a digital image of a transparent wound dressing on the one hand, store and transmit the captured digital image, and on the other hand assist another user in viewing the digital image of the transparent wound dressing. Generally speaking, the system allows for obtaining digital images in a reliable manner, which are obtained under acquisition conditions that are sufficiently similar for comparison of the digital images, and also allows for sorting the digital images in an understandable manner. Thereby, the patient can provide practically useful information to a healthcare professional (HCP), and the healthcare professional is in a situation sufficient to monitor the wound healing process.

[0074] The first mobile device and the second device can be a single device having all the features of the mobile device and the second device as described above. In this way, it is possible to obtain a digital image of a transparent wound dressing in a reliable manner and provide the obtained digital image in a user-friendly manner with one device. As an example, a healthcare professional can then visit the patient, save digital images of the transparent wound dressing on different dates, and subsequently view the saved digital images to establish a diagnosis. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0075] Figure 1 A flowchart showing a method for assisting a user in capturing a digital image of a transparent wound dressing;

[0076] Figure 2 A computer-readable medium showing the first step of performing a method for assisting a user in capturing a digital image of a transparent wound dressing;

[0077] Figure 3 A computer-readable medium showing another step of performing a method for assisting a user in capturing a digital image of a transparent wound dressing Figure 2 ;

[0078] Figure 4showing another step of a method for assisting a user in capturing a digital image of a transparent wound dressing Figure 2 of a computer-readable medium;

[0079] Figure 5 showing a flowchart of a method for assisting a user in capturing a digital image of a transparent wound dressing according to a second embodiment;

[0080] Figure 6 showing a flowchart of a method for assisting a user in capturing a digital image of a transparent wound dressing according to a third embodiment;

[0081] Figure 7 showing a flowchart of a method for assisting a user in capturing a digital image of a transparent wound dressing according to a fourth embodiment;

[0082] Figure 8 showing another computer-readable medium for performing steps of a method for assisting a user in capturing a digital image of a transparent wound dressing according to a fourth embodiment;

[0083] Figure 9 showing a flowchart of a method for assisting a user in capturing a digital image of a transparent wound dressing according to a fifth embodiment;

[0084] Figure 10 showing a flowchart of a method for assisting a user in capturing a digital image of a transparent wound dressing according to a sixth embodiment;

[0085] Figure 11 showing a flowchart of a method for assisting a user in capturing a digital image of a transparent wound dressing according to a seventh embodiment;

[0086] Figure 12 showing a computer-readable medium for performing steps of a method for assisting a user in viewing a digital image of a transparent wound dressing; and

[0087] Figure 13 showing a system for assisting a first user in capturing a digital image of a transparent wound dressing and a second user in viewing a digital image of a transparent wound dressing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0088] Referring to Figure 1, which presents three steps A, B, and C of a method for assisting a user in capturing a digital image of a transparent wound dressing. In step A, at least one digital image of the transparent wound dressing is obtained by means of an imaging device and displayed by means of a user interface. In step B, an image of a specific type that schematically presents the transparent wound dressing is superimposed on the digital image as an overlay image via the display. In other words, the digital image obtained by means of the imaging device and the overlay image are displayed together via the user interface. Subsequently, in step C, the digital image is saved.

[0089] Go to Figure 2 , which shows a wound 2, a transparent wound dressing 4 worn by an injured patient 6, and a smart phone 8 with an imaging device (not shown due to the perspective of the presented view) and a user interface 10 including a display 12. The smart phone 8 is performing Figure 1 step A of the method. Thus, the imaging device acquires a digital image 14 of the wound 2 and the transparent wound dressing 4, and the user interface 10 displays the acquired digital image 14.

[0090] In Figure 3 accordance with Figure 1 method step B of the method presented in

[0091] Figure 4 , the user interface 10 of the smart phone 8 displays the acquired digital image 14 and an overlay image 16 superimposed on the digital image 14. Except for the schematic presentation of the curved distal and proximal ends 18a, 18b of the transparent wound dressing 4, the overlay image 16 is transparent, thereby indicating the desired size and position that the transparent wound dressing 4 should exhibit on the digital image 14 to be saved. In the current case, the overlay image 16 has been created by retrieving a basic image having a basic schematic presentation of the curved distal and proximal ends 18a, 18b of the transparent wound dressing 4 from a database, retrieving information about the size of the wound dressing 4, and processing both the retrieved basic image and the size information to produce an overlay image 16 having a schematic presentation of the curved distal and proximal ends 18a, 18b of the transparent wound dressing 4, wherein the aspect ratio of the schematic presentation is adapted to the retrieved size information.

[0091] Figure 4 shows the smart phone 8 of the previous figure, wherein the acquisition conditions for acquiring the digital image 14 by means of the imaging device are adjusted according to the indication given by the overlay image 16. More specifically, the distance 20 between the imaging device of the smart phone 8 and the transparent wound dressing 4 has been reduced so that the transparent wound dressing 4 appears larger on the display 12.

[0092] Now go to Figure 5 , which shows a second embodiment of a method for assisting a user in capturing a digital image of a transparent wound dressing, presenting three steps labeled A, B, and C'. Steps A and B are the same as Figure 1Steps A and B are the same. In step C', the digital image obtained with the aid of the imaging device in step A is saved together with a timing indicator. Here, the timing indicator is a timestamp output by a clock, which records the time at which the digital image has been acquired by the imaging device.

[0093] Figure 6 The flowchart of Figure 1 shows several steps of a method for assisting a user in capturing a digital image of a transparent wound dressing according to a third embodiment. The method starts with step A, which is the same as the method in . Then, in step D, it is checked whether at least one digital image of the transparent wound dressing has been saved in association with a past timing indicator. Depending on the result, step E or B' is initiated. Figure 1 If at least one digital image of the transparent wound dressing has been saved in association with a past timing indicator, then in step B', at least one of these digital images or a combination thereof is used to create an overlapping image. Here, the overlapping image is created by copying the digital image with the most recent timing indicator, adjusting its settings to be displayed as semi-transparent via the user interface, and saving the modified copy as the overlapping image.

[0094] If no digital image of the transparent wound dressing has been saved in association with a past timing indicator, then in step E, information about the appearance that the transparent wound dressing should at least partially exhibit on at least one digital image to be saved is retrieved. To this end, questions can be displayed to the user via the user interface, and user input containing information about the type of the transparent wound dressing can be obtained. Then, based on the information contained in the obtained user input, a ready-made overlapping image containing the schematic representation of the transparent wound dressing shown in step B of is retrieved from the database. Alternatively, the type of the transparent wound dressing can be automatically recognized. In the subsequent step B, the overlapping image is superimposed on the digital image obtained in step A. In step C', the digital image is saved together with the corresponding timing indicator.

[0095] Figure 1 Figure 1 In step B of , the overlapping image is superimposed on the digital image obtained in step A. In step C', the digital image is saved together with the corresponding timing indicator.

[0096] Figure 7A flowchart showing a method for assisting a user in capturing digital images of a transparent wound dressing according to a fourth embodiment, wherein after obtaining at least two digital images of the transparent wound dressing by means of an imaging device, these digital images are displayed as a live feed via a user interface (step A”). Subsequently, in step B”, an overlapping image created based on the previously obtained digital images of the transparent wound dressing and saved together with a past temporal indicator is superimposed on the live feed. In step F, the digital images of the live feed are compared with the overlapping image respectively. More specifically, the size and position of the transparent wound dressing in each digital image of the live feed are compared with the size and position of the transparent wound dressing in the overlapping image. In step C’, a digital image in which the size and position of the transparent wound dressing correspond to those of the transparent wound dressing in the overlapping image is saved together with the temporal indicator.

[0097] Figure 8 A smartphone 22 is shown with a user interface 24 and an imaging device (not shown due to the perspective of the presented view). The user interface 24 includes a display 26 that displays a live feed 28 of a digital image 2 of a wound dressing obtained by means of the imaging device and a superimposed overlapping image 30. The overlapping image 30 is a copy of a previously saved digital image with a past temporal indicator, and these characteristics have been adjusted to be displayed as semi-transparent.

[0098] Referring to Figure 9 , which shows a flowchart of a method for assisting a user in capturing digital images of a transparent wound dressing according to a fifth embodiment, steps A, B, and C are the same as steps A, B, and C of Figure 1 . After step B and before step C, step G is performed, where a predetermined duration is started, and step C of saving the digital image is triggered at the end of this duration.

[0099] A flowchart showing a sixth embodiment of the method Figure 10 shows the method steps A performed before step A 0 . In step A 0 , identification information assigned to the patient wearing the transparent wound dressing and / or assigned to the transparent wound dressing is obtained, for example, as user input, and is first registered and saved in a memory in a corresponding digital application. In step C” after step B of superimposing the overlapping image on at least one digital image, the digital image is saved together with both the temporal indicator and at least one piece of identification information obtained in step A 0 .

[0100] As Figure 11 shown, a seventh embodiment of the method includes for Figure 1The described method steps A, B, and C and subsequent step H. Step H corresponds to obtaining wound information, here as user input, which user input includes information about the appearance of a wound covered with a wound dressing and the temperature of the wound covered with the wound dressing, and saving this wound information together with a digital image.

[0101] In Figure 12 , while performing the steps of a method for assisting user 38 in viewing digital images 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e of a transparent wound dressing, a computer-readable medium 32 in the form of a smart phone 34 with a display 36 is shown. The display 36 shows a slider 42 adapted to adopt a number of slider positions 44a, 44b, 44c, 44d, 44e when moving from right to left or from left to right, and digital images 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e of the transparent wound dressing. The slider 42 is a continuous slider. This means that when the user's thumb is on the slider 42, the slider 42 moves continuously from left to right. When the user releases the slider 42, the slider 42 moves to the next possible discrete position assigned to a particular picture, for example from an intermediate position between the first position 44a and the position 44b, which will move to the next position 44b. In the illustrated embodiment, the digital images 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e are shown as a carousel 46 (with the current picture shown in the center and adjacent images shown to its left and right), where the digital image 40b in the front position of the carousel 48 has a timing indicator corresponding to the current slider position 44b. It will be understood that the digital images need not be shown in the form of such a carousel. Alternatively, for example, only the currently viewed image is shown.

[0102] Go to Figure 13, presents a system including a first mobile device 50, a second device 52, and a server 54. The first mobile device, the server 54, and the second device 52 are configured to exchange information via wireless technology. The first mobile device has an imaging device 56 and a display 58 and is configured to perform a method for assisting a user in capturing a digital image 60 of a transparent wound dressing 62 according to at least one of the previously described embodiments. The second device 52 has a display 64 and is configured to perform a method for assisting a user in viewing a digital image 66 of a transparent wound dressing 62 according to at least one of the previously described embodiments. In this example, the server 54 is hosted remotely from the first mobile device 50 and the second device 52 and is configured to obtain at least one digital image 60 of the transparent wound dressing 62 captured by the first mobile device 50 from the first mobile device 50, for storing the at least one digital image 60 of the transparent wound dressing 62 captured by the first mobile device 50 that is obtained, and for transmitting the at least one stored digital image 60 of the transparent wound dressing 62 captured by the first mobile device 50 to the second device 52.

Claims

1. A method for assisting a user (38) in capturing digital images (14, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e, 60, 66) of a transparent wound dressing (4, 62), preferably for monitoring the healing process of a wound (2) covered by and visible through the transparent wound dressing (4, 62), the method comprising at least the following steps: - obtaining at least one digital image (14, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e, 60, 66) of the transparent wound dressing (4, 62) by means of an imaging device (56), and displaying the at least one obtained digital image (14, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e, 60, 66) of the transparent wound dressing (4, 62) by means of a user interface (10, 24); - superimposing an overlay image (16, 30) on the at least one digital image (14, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e, 60, 66) of the transparent wound dressing (4, 62) displayed by the user interface (10, 24); and - saving the at least one digital image (14, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e, 60, 66) of the transparent wound dressing (4, 62).

2. The method according to claim 1, - wherein at least two digital images (14, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e, 60, 66) of the transparent wound dressing (4, 62) are obtained by means of the imaging device (56), - wherein the at least two digital images (14, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e, 60, 66) of the transparent wound dressing (4, 62) are displayed as a live feedback (28) by means of the user interface (10, 24), and - wherein the overlay image (16, 30) is superimposed on the live feedback (28) displayed by the user interface (10, 24).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the overlay image (16, 30) comprises at least one visual indication (18a, 18b) of an appearance that the transparent wound dressing (4, 62) should at least partially present on the at least one digital image (14, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e, 60, 66) of the transparent wound dressing (4, 62) to be saved.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the at least one visual indication (18a, 18b) has the same or substantially the same aspect ratio as the aspect ratio of the transparent wound dressing (4, 62) for which the digital image (14, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e, 60, 66) should be saved.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one digital image (14, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e, 60, 66) of the transparent wound dressing (4, 62) is saved in association with a timing indicator.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: - before superimposing the overlapping image (16, 30) on at least one digital image (14, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e, 60, 66) of the transparent wound dressing (4, 62) displayed by the user interface (10, 24), checking whether at least one digital image (14, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e, 60, 66) of the transparent wound dressing (4, 62) has been saved in association with a past timing indicator; - if so, using one of the at least one digital image (14, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e, 60, 66) of the transparent wound dressing (4, 62) saved in association with the past timing indicator; and - if not, retrieving and using information about the appearance that the transparent wound dressing (4, 62) should exhibit at least partially on the at least one digital image (14, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e, 60, 66) to be saved to obtain the overlapping image (16, 30).

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein saving at least one digital image (14, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e, 60, 66) of the transparent wound dressing (4, 62) is automatically triggered as a result of a comparison between characteristics of at least one of the at least one digital image (14, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e, 60, 66) obtained by the imaging device (56) and characteristics of the overlapping image (16, 30).

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein saving at least one digital image (14, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e, 60, 66) of the transparent wound dressing (4, 62) is automatically triggered after a predetermined duration.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: - outputting a first signal when the result of a comparison between characteristics of at least one of the digital images (14, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e, 60, 66) obtained by the imaging device (56) and characteristics of the overlapping image (16, 30) falls within a predetermined similarity range; and / or - outputting a second signal when the result of a comparison between characteristics of at least one of the at least one digital image (14, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e, 60, 66) obtained by the imaging device (56) and characteristics of the overlapping image (16, 30) falls outside the predetermined similarity range.

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: - Automatically adapt the settings of the imaging device (56) based on the result of a comparison between the characteristics of at least one of the at least one digital image (14, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e, 60, 66) obtained by the imaging device (56) and the characteristics of the overlapping image (16, 30).

11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: - Obtain identification information assigned to the patient wearing the transparent wound dressing (4, 62) and / or assigned to the transparent wound dressing (4, 62); and - Save at least one digital image (14, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e, 60, 66) of the transparent wound dressing (4, 62) associated with the obtained identification information.

12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: - Obtain wound information about the wound (2) covered with the transparent wound dressing (4, 62); and - Save at least one digital image (14, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e, 60, 66) of the transparent wound dressing (4, 62) in association with at least one piece of the obtained wound information.

13. A computer program comprising instructions that, when executed by a device, cause the device to perform the method according to claims 1 to 12.

14. A computer-readable medium (32) comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing the method according to claims 1 to 12.

15. A method for assisting a user in viewing digital images (40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e) of a transparent wound dressing (4, 62), comprising at least the following steps: - Obtain at least two digital images (40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e) of the transparent wound dressing (4, 62) captured by the method according to claims 1 to 12, wherein each digital image (40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e) of the transparent wound dressing (4, 62) is associated with a corresponding timing indicator; - Provide a slider (42), wherein the slider (42) can assume as many positions (44a, 44b, 44c, 44d, 44e) as there are digital images (40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e) of the transparent wound dressing (4, 62) that have been obtained, and wherein one position of the slider (42) is assigned to a timing indicator of at least two digital images (40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e) of the obtained transparent wound dressing (4, 62); and - Display a digital image (40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e) of the at least two digital images (40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e) of the transparent wound dressing (4, 62) whose timing indicator is assigned to the current position (44a, 44b, 44c, 44d, 44e) of the slider (42).

16. A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a device, cause the device to perform the method according to claim 15.

17. A computer-readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing the method according to claim 15.

18. A system for assisting a first user (38) in capturing digital images (14, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e, 60, 66) of a transparent wound dressing (4, 62) and for assisting a second user in viewing the digital images (14, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e, 60, 66) of the transparent wound dressing (4, 62), comprising at least the following: - A first mobile device having the computer-readable medium according to claim 14, an imaging device (56), and a user interface (10, 24); - A second device having the computer-readable medium according to claim 17 and a user interface (10, 24); and - A server adapted to obtain from the first mobile device at least one digital image (14, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e, 60, 66) of the transparent wound dressing (4, 62) captured by the first mobile device, store the at least one digital image (14, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e, 60, 66) of the transparent wound dressing (4, 62) captured by the first mobile device that is obtained, and transmit the at least one digital image (144a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e, 60, 66) of the transparent wound dressing (4, 62) captured by the first mobile device that is stored to the second device.

Images