In-situ Optical Diagnostic Tool for Real-time Pap Test Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Pap smear tests are time-consuming and costly due to manual inspection and lab analysis, requiring multiple visits and additional tests, and lack the capability for real-time, in-situ diagnosis of pre-cancerous and cancerous cells.
Innovation Solution
A removable in-situ diagnostic tool with an optical and digital magnification path coupled to image detecting sensors, featuring an extendable fiber optical scraper stem for tissue sampling and illumination, allowing for real-time optical imaging and processing of micrograph images to identify harmful bio-entities directly within the vaginal cavity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual inspection and lab analysis are used for Pap smear tests, then diagnostic accuracy can be maintained through specialist review, but the process becomes time-consuming and costly with multiple visits required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection by specialists with an automated optical imaging system that captures micrograph images of cervical cells and uses computer-based analysis to identify pre-cancerous and cancerous cells, eliminating the time delay of manual lab analysis while maintaining diagnostic accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates digital micrograph copies of cervical cells that can be immediately analyzed and stored, replacing the need for physical slide preparation and manual microscopy review, enabling real-time diagnostic results without losing diagnostic precision
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual sampling and specialist inspection are used, then comprehensive analysis of multiple bio-entities can be performed, but the process requires multiple additional tests and visits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple detection capabilities into a single device that can identify various bio-entities including pre-cancerous cells, cancerous cells, and HPV infections through one optical imaging system, eliminating the need for multiple separate tests and visits while maintaining comprehensive diagnostic coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines specimen collection, optical imaging, and diagnostic analysis into a single integrated process that occurs during one office visit, merging functions that previously required separate steps including lab analysis and multiple follow-up appointments
3Reliability
If traditional Pap smear procedures are used, then standard diagnostic protocols are followed, but costs escalate to over $1,000 per visit due to multiple tests
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the core diagnostic function from the complex multi-step traditional Pap smear process, isolating the essential cell sampling and imaging steps while eliminating unnecessary intermediate steps and follow-up tests, thereby reducing costs while maintaining diagnostic reliability through focused optical imaging and analysis
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables rapid, cost-effective, and automated diagnosis of vaginal and cervical ailments, reducing the need for multiple visits and additional tests by providing immediate results and facilitating real-time identification of pre-cancerous and cancerous cells.
Implementation Method 1
the stem having at least one fiber optical channel for conducting selected frequency and wavelength light from single frequency or tunable light sources
Implementation Method 2
an optical and digital magnification path coupled to image detecting sensor logic... The optical microscopy magnification path focusing microgragh images on a digital CCD or CMOS detector
Data Source
AI summary
An in vivo and insitu diagnostic and light therapeutic tool for the Pap test having a cavity fitting housing with an optical and digital magnification path coupled to image detecting sensor logic. The tool has an optical scraper stem mechanically controlled and extendable from within the housing, the stem having at least one fiber optical channel for selected frequency and wavelength light various light sources, an optical scraper slide component optically coupled to the scraper fiber optic channel stem distal end, channeling light from the housing to the scraper slide normal axis surface for illumination penetrating a specimen sample for optical imaging into an optical microscopy magnification path axis whereby micrograph image from in vivo Pap tests can be accomplished and resulting image micrographs programmatically identified and verified in situ in real-time.