Apparatus and method for inspecting skin lesions

Abstract

A user moves a handheld inspection device toward a skin region that includes a target skin lesion. A current image of the skin region or part thereof that includes the target skin lesion as currently taken by the handheld inspection device is displayed on a screen, with the target skin lesion marked. When reaching a close distance from the target skin lesion, a close-up inspection is performed. If the target skin lesion is missing in the current image, the close-up inspection process is interrupted, and the user is instructed to move the handheld inspection device to a remote distance from the skin region for restarting the inspection process.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A process of close-up inspection of at least one skin lesion within a region on a skin surface, the region containing multiple skin lesions, the process comprising:
 in a handheld inspection device, positioned by a user at a remote distance from the skin surface, the remote distance being effectives for acquiring an image of the region by the handheld inspection device: acquiring an image of the region;   in a processor: selecting a target skin lesion within the image of the region;   on a screen:
 displaying the image of the region, and 
 marking the target skin lesion within the image of the region, to visually distinguish the target skin lesion from other skin lesions within the region; 
   while the handheld inspection device is moved by the user toward the skin surface:
 in the handheld inspection device: continuously acquiring a current image of the skin surface, and 
 in the processor and on the screen: showing and marking the target skin lesion within the current image of the skin surface, and, if the target skin lesion is not included within the current image of the skin surface, interrupting the process of close-up inspection and instructing the user to restart the process of close-up inspection from a remote distance; and 
   in the handheld inspection device: in a close distance that is less than the remote distance and is sufficiently close to the skin surface for performing a close-up inspection of the target skin lesion: performing the close-up inspection of the target skin lesion.   
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the close-up inspection includes: illuminating the target skin lesion. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the close-up inspection includes at least one of:
 acquiring a high-resolution image of the target skin lesion; or   performing digital dermatoscopy of the target skin lesion.   
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 3 , wherein the close-up inspection further includes: extracting features of the target skin lesion. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 3 , wherein the close-up inspection further includes: projecting from the handheld inspection device at least one laser beam illuminating within or in proximity to the target skin lesion, and further performing at least one of:
 visually identifying the target skin lesion on the skin surface;   measuring a distance between the handheld inspection device and the skin surface; or   measuring an angle between the handheld inspection device's optical axis and the skin surface.   
     
     
         6 . A system for close-up inspection of at least one skin lesion within a region on a skin surface, the region containing multiple skin lesions, the system comprising:
 a handheld inspection device that can be positioned at selectable distances from the skin surface, the handheld inspection operable to, at least:
 acquire skin images, 
 from a remote distance: acquire an image of the region, and 
 from a close distance that is closer to the skin surface than the remote distance: perform a close-up inspection of a skin lesion; 
   a screen operable to, at least:
 display skin images captured by the handheld inspection device, and 
 display a processor-generated marker to visually distinguish a selected skin lesion within a skin image that contains multiple lesions; and 
   a processor programmed to, at least:
 receive an image from the handheld inspection device, 
 check whether the image received from the handheld inspection device includes a target skin lesion, 
 if the check is negative: interrupt the close-up inspection and instruct the user to restart the process of close-up inspection from a remote distance, 
 if the check is positive: generate a current image that includes the image received from the handheld inspection device with the target skin lesion image marked by a marker, and send the current image to the screen. 
   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the close-up inspection includes: illuminating the target skin lesion. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the screen and the processor form part of the handheld inspection device. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising a computer that is separate from the handheld inspection device, and wherein the screen and the processor form part of the computer. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the close-up inspection includes at least one of:
 acquiring a high-resolution image of the target skin lesion; or   performing digital dermatoscopy of the target skin lesion.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the close-up inspection further includes: extracting features of the target skin lesion. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the handheld inspection device further includes a laser projecting at least one laser beam for illuminating within or in proximity to the target skin lesion for at least one of:
 visually identifying the target skin lesion on the skin surface;   measuring a distance between the handheld inspection device and the skin surface; or   measuring an angle between the handheld inspection device's optical axis and the skin surface.   
     
     
         13 . A handheld inspection device for close-up inspection of at least one skin lesion within a region of a skin surface, the region containing multiple skin lesions, the handheld inspection device comprising:
 a camera operable to, at least:
 acquire skin images, 
 from a remote distance: acquire an image of the region, and 
 from a close distance that is closer to the skin surface than the remote distance: perform a close-up inspection of a skin lesion; 
   a screen operable to, at least:
 display skin images captured by the camera, and 
 display a processor-generated marker to visually distinguish a selected skin lesion within a skin image that contains multiple lesions; and 
   a processor programmed to, at least:
 receive an image from the camera, 
 check whether the image received from the camera includes a target skin lesion, 
 if the check is negative: interrupt the close-up inspection and instruct the user to restart the process of close-up inspection from a remote distance, 
 if the check is positive: generate a current image that includes the image received from the camera with the target skin lesion image marked by a marker, and send the current image to the screen. 
   
     
     
         14 . The handheld inspection device of  claim 13 , further comprising other sensors, and wherein the close-up inspection further includes: performing, with participation of the other sensors, digital dermatoscopy of the target skin lesion. 
     
     
         15 . The handheld inspection device of  claim 13 , further comprising an illuminator, and wherein the close-up inspection further includes: illuminating the target skin lesion. 
     
     
         16 . The handheld inspection device of  claim 13 , further comprising a laser projecting at least one laser beam for illuminating within or in proximity to the target skin lesion for at least one of:
 visually identifying the target skin lesion on the skin surface;   measuring a distance between the handheld inspection device and the skin surface; or   measuring an angle between the handheld inspection device's optical axis and the skin surface.   
     
     
         17 . The handheld inspection device of  claim 13 , wherein the close-up inspection includes acquiring a high-resolution image of the target skin lesion. 
     
     
         18 . The handheld inspection device of  claim 17 , wherein the close-up inspection further includes: extracting features of the target skin lesion.