System and method for diagnosing and treating disease

Abstract

A device and method for treating disease involves inserting a scope into a patient's body, the scope having a light source, a camera and a cartridge connected thereto. The cartridge has two chambers separated by membrane, a first one of the chambers containing a virus, and a second one of the chambers being connected to a plurality of microneedles configured for extending into the patient's tissue upon insertion of the scope. Cells from the patient are removed via suction from the microneedles and are deposited in the second chambers. The membrane is then broken to mix the virus with the cells to infect the cells, and the infected cells are then transported back into the patient to treat the disease.

Claims

1. A method for treating infection or disease, comprising: inserting a scope into a body of a patient, the scope having a light source, a camera and a cartridge connected thereto, the cartridge having two chambers separated by a membrane, a first one of said chambers containing a virus, and a second one of said chambers being connected to a plurality of microneedles configured for extending into tissue of the patient tissue upon insertion of the scope, removing cells from the patient via suction from the plurality of microneedles, the cells being deposited in the second one of said chambers; breaking the membrane between the chambers to mix the virus with the cells; and releasing the virus and cell mixture back into the patient.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the membrane is broken by application of pressure on the first chamber.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the pressure is applied via a plunger.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the step of releasing the virus and cell mixture is accomplished with the plunger.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising allowing the virus and cells to incubate for a predetermined period of time before the step of releasing.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the scope is an endoscope.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first chamber additionally contains T-cells of the patient that were previously extracted.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.

(2) In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views:

(3) FIG. 1 shows a schematic drawing of the system according to the invention in use for treating a patient;

(4) FIG. 2 shows a flow diagram of the method steps according to the invention;

(5) FIG. 3 shows a drawing of a treatment plan according to one embodiment of the invention;

(6) FIG. 4 shows the system according to the invention used with an endoscope;

(7) FIG. 5 shows a diagnosis being displayed holographically;

(8) FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the device of FIG. 4 with an extension;

(9) FIG. 7 shows the device of FIG. 6 in use on a patient; and

(10) FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of the device of FIG. 6;

(11) FIG. 9 shows another alternative embodiment of the device according to the invention using a modified virus to treat disease;

(12) FIG. 10 shows the device of FIG. 9 in an intermediate state; and

(13) FIG. 11 shows the device of FIG. 9 showing injection of the cells infected with the modified virus back into the patient.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(14) Referring now in detail to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a patient 1 with an infected wound 2. An individual 3 treating patient 1 has an individual microprocessor such as a mobile smart phone 4 with a built-in 3D imaging system in the form of camera 5. Camera 5 is adapted with depth sensing capabilities, to take very high-resolution 3-dimensional images that can be enlarged to show individual cells and/or bacteria. To treat patient 1, individual 3 takes a photograph of wound 2 using camera 5 in mobile phone 4. The camera 5 could also be connected to a hard-wired microprocessor in a clinical setting. This microprocessor could also be connected with magnification equipment such as an endoscope, which can magnify the diseased area prior to taking the photograph. The photograph is then sent by the individual via text message or email to a server 6 via having a communication device 7, such as a modem. Server 6 is equipped with a microprocessor 8, which can scan the received photograph, and using software installed on server 6, enlarge and enhance the photograph to see the individual cells and bacteria of wound 2. Microprocessor 8 then searches initial database 9, which contains photographs of many different diseases, to find a match to the photograph sent by individual 3. This search can be conducted with any suitable visual matching software, such as those discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,911,139 and 7,756,309, the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference. Once a match has been found, the microprocessor 8 searches database 19, which is a specialized database correlated to the identification made from database 9. If no match is found, the system notifies individual 3, and prompts individual 3 for further information about the disease being searched. Microprocessor 8 can then use this extra information to continue a search in database 9 to find the closest match, which is then used to locate the proper database 19 for conducting the second search.

(15) If a match is made to a particular disease in database 19, the microprocessor then searches database 19 for a suitable treatment plan, which correlates with the photograph in database 19 that matches the photograph sent by individual 3. Once a treatment plan has been identified, it is sent via communication device 6 to mobile telephone 4 for use in treating patient 1.

(16) In one embodiment, the treatment plan involves exposing the wound 2 to a wavelength of light that will kill any bacteria in wound 2. As shown in FIG. 3, microprocessor 8 sends a software application 12 to mobile phone 4, which generates such a light beam 11.

(17) FIG. 2 shows the method steps according to one embodiment of the invention. In step 100, a dye is applied to an infected or diseased area of the body, to enhance the visual resolution of the infected or diseased area. In step 110, a photograph is taken of the infected or diseased area using a smartphone having a built-in camera with 3-D imaging capabilities, or using a camera connected to another type of microprocessor, such as a personal computer. Instead of or in addition to the photograph, a video showing the behavior of infected cells could also be taken.

(18) In step 120, the photograph is sent by text message or email to a diagnosing center having a server with a microprocessor and a database of photographs correlated with different diseases and infections. In step 130, the photograph is enlarged and enhanced via software installed on the microprocessor so that individual cells or bacteria can be seen in the enhanced photograph.

(19) In step 140, the enhanced photograph is compared with the photographs in the database to identify the disease or infection, using visual comparison software. In step 145, if a disease or infection is identified, the enhanced photograph is then compared to photographs in a second, specialized database that is specifically directed to the identified disease from step 140. If no disease can be identified in step 140, the individual can be asked to provide additional information about the disease to be searched in step 146. This information is then used to look at first database again in an attempt to identify the disease or infection. Once the disease or infection has been identified, the microprocessor searches the second database for a suggested treatment in step 150. In step 160, the microprocessor automatically sends information regarding the suggested treatment to the individual's mobile phone or microprocessor. The treatment information could also be displayed holographically. For example, if the camera is connected to an endoscope, the treatment could be projected onto the lens of the endoscope so that the physician would not need to look up from the procedure to obtain the necessary information. The information could also be communicated via computer-generated voice instructions.

(20) FIG. 4 shows how the invention would operate using a camera connected to an endoscope. Endoscope 40 has a shaft 41 connected to a camera 43, which can record video and still images seen through shaft 41. The 3-D video and still images are transmitted to microprocessor 45 via cable 44. The video and still images can also be displayed on display screen 46. Microprocessor 45 is connected to a communication device 47, which can be a modem. As with the embodiment in FIG. 1, the images obtained by camera 1 can be compared to an initial database stored inside a database connected to microprocessor 45, and if a match is found, then sent to a second database, accessible over the internet, for a more refined diagnosis. Once the final diagnosis has been made, the diagnosis and possible treatments are sent back to the physician, and can be displayed on display 46, or can be communicated in another manner, such as by voice instructions or holographically onto an eyepiece or lenses 50 worn by the physician, such as shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 shows a holographic message 51 being projected onto glasses 50, which can be worn by the physician during the procedure, so that the physician does not have to look away from the procedure to receive the diagnosis. The holographic message 51 could also be projected onto a lens of a microscope, or the endoscope, or even onto a wall or other surface.

(21) As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, endoscope 40 can have an extension 60 attached to its distal end. In use, extension 60 can be inserted into the tissue of a patient so that a layer of cells 70 lies on top of the top surface of the extension. This layer can then be illuminated, either from behind, if the extension is translucent (as shown in FIG. 8), or from the front, by the light source 80 of endoscope 40 (as shown in FIG. 7). The layer can be the thickness of a single layer of cells. Thus, the camera 43 takes a 3D image that is essentially a prepared slide for sending to microprocessor 45. Thus, the cells of the tissue being examined are more visible and the diagnosis can be made more easily. This procedure also saves the time and expense required in preparation of slides in a laboratory.

(22) FIG. 9 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention, which is used to treat disease. Attached to the endoscope 40 is a cartridge 150 containing two compartments 101, 102. In a first compartment 101, a modified virus 106 is stored in a suitable carrier. The second compartment 102 is initially empty and is in communication with several microneedles 103. The microneedles contact the patient's tissue upon insertion of the endoscope and suck up the patient's cells 107 for storage in the second compartment.

(23) A plunger 104 is connected to compartment 101. Depressing the plunger a small distance creates excessive pressure in the first compartment 101, which then breaks the membrane 105 separating the two compartments 101, 102. This allows virus 106 to mix with cells 107 and infect the cells, as shown in FIG. 10. The plunger can be actuated mechanically or via a motor control. For example, the plunger can have a shaft that extends out of the patient for manual actuation, or can be a motorized control activate by a switch (not shown). After a suitable incubation period, the infected cells 111 are transferred back into the patient by fully depressing the plunger 104 until both compartments are empty. The infected cells 111 thus travel back through the microneedles 103 into the patient, as shown in FIG. 11, where they can combat the disease in the patient.

(24) In an alternative embodiment, the virus can be pre-mixed with T-cells from the patient and placed in the first compartment 101, for mixing with the cells of the patient in the second compartment after depression of the plunger 104.

(25) Accordingly, while only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is obvious that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.