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EP-4287931-B1 - DETECTION AND METROLOGY OF ALLERGEN SKIN REACTION

EP4287931B1EP 4287931 B1EP4287931 B1EP 4287931B1EP-4287931-B1

Inventors

  • Hofkens, Wim
  • DE ROOVERE, PETER

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20220202

Claims (15)

  1. A system (1) for detection and metrology of an allergen skin reaction of an individual, wherein said system (1) comprises: - testing means (101) configured to host a body part (10) of said individual and to subject a skin surface area (11) of said body part (10) to an allergen skin reaction test; - illumination means (102), comprising a plurality of light sources (112), and configured to successively illuminate said skin surface area (11) having been subjected to said allergen skin reaction test under a plurality of predetermined illumination angles (20) with respect to a receiving direction (4) along which acquisition means (103) are positioned, each of the predetermined illumination angles (20) corresponding to an angle formed between the illumination means (102) and the skin surface area (11) of the individual; and wherein said light sources (112) are positioned under an angle larger than 40 degrees with respect to said receiving direction (4); - said acquisition means (103) fixedly positioned with respect to said skin surface area (11) along said receiving direction (4), wherein said acquisition means (103) is configured to image, for each of said predetermined illumination angles (20), said illuminated skin surface (21); and - analysing means (104) configured to determine one or more illumination-angle-dependent variations (202) in light intensity (201) imaged by said acquisition means (103), wherein said illumination-angle-dependent variations (202) are caused by one or more wheals (2) on said skin surface area (11).
  2. A system (1) according to claim 1, wherein: - said skin surface area (11) extends along a longitudinal direction (3); - said acquisition means are fixedly positioned with respect to said skin surface area (11) along said receiving direction (4) traverse to said longitudinal direction (3); - said predetermined illumination angles (20) are formed between said receiving direction (4) and a lighting direction (7) for each of said light sources (112) of said illumination means (103), wherein a light source (112) tangentially illuminates said skin surface area (11) along said lighting direction (7).
  3. A system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said acquisition means (103) are further configured to capture one or more images (30) of said skin surface area (11) for each of said predetermined illumination angles (20), thereby generating a set of images (31) of said skin surface area (11) for said allergen skin reaction test.
  4. A system (1) according to claim 3, wherein analysing means (103) are further configured to process said set of images (31) and to determine, from said set of images (31), one or more of the following: - reflections (203) generated from said illumination by said wheals (2) on said skin surface area (11); - shadows (204) generated from said illumination by said wheals (2) on said skin surface area (11); thereby determining said illumination-angle-dependent variations (202) in light intensity (201) imaged by said acquisition means (103).
  5. A system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said analysing means (104) are further configured to determine a location of said wheals (2) on said skin surface area (11) using said illumination-angle-dependent variations (202) in light intensity (201) imaged by said acquisition means (103).
  6. A system (1) according to any of the claims 3 to 5, wherein said analysis means (104) are further configured to determine, from said set of images (31), a size and/or a shape of one or more of said wheals (2) on said skin surface area (11).
  7. A system (1) according to any of the claims 2 to 6, wherein said acquisition means (103) are positioned along said receiving direction (4) traverse to said longitudinal direction (3) to image said illuminated skin surface (21) under each of said predetermined illumination angles (20).
  8. A system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said acquisition means (103) are positioned at a fixed predetermined receiving distance from said skin surface (11) area for all of said predetermined illumination angles (20).
  9. A system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each light source (112) is configured to illuminate said skin surface area (11); and wherein said system (1) further comprises one or more mounting supports (105) configured to hold said light sources (112).
  10. A system (1) according to claims 7 and 9, wherein said light sources (112) and/or said mounting supports (105) are further configured to rotate around said body part (10) in a plane (5) comprising said receiving direction (4) and traverse to said longitudinal direction (3) such that said light sources (112) illuminate said skin surface area (11) under said plurality of predetermined illumination angles (20).
  11. A system (1) according to claims 7 and 9, wherein said light sources (112) and/or said mounting supports (105) are further configured to rotate around said body part (10) in a plane (6) comprising said longitudinal direction (3) of said body part (10) and said receiving direction (4) such that said light sources (112) illuminate said skin surface area (11) under said plurality of predetermined illumination angles (20).
  12. A system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said testing means (101) is configured to simultaneously deposit one allergen at a predetermined position on said skin surface area (11) and incise said skin surface area (11) of said individual at each of said predetermined positions.
  13. A system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein an angular spread (23) of said light sources (112) within said illumination means (102) is comprised between 35 degrees and 55 degrees.
  14. A method for detection and metrology of an allergen skin reaction of an individual, wherein said method comprises the steps of: - hosting a body part (10) of said individual; - subjecting a skin surface area (11) of said body part (10) to an allergen skin reaction test; - providing a plurality of light sources (112); - arranging said light sources (112) under an angle larger than 40 degrees with respect to a receiving direction (4) along which said skin surface area (11) being illuminated will be imaged; - successively illuminating said skin surface area (11) having been subjected to said allergen skin reaction test with said light sources (112) under a plurality of predetermined illumination angles (20) with respect to a fixed position along said receiving direction (4) along which said illuminated skin surface (21) will be imaged, each of the predetermined illumination angles (20) corresponding to an angle formed between the illumination means (102) and the skin surface area (11) of the individual; - imaging said illuminated skin surface (21) from said fixed position with respect to said skin surface area (11) and for each of said predetermined illumination angles (20); and - determining one or more illumination-angle-dependent variations (202) in light intensity (201) being imaged, wherein said illumination-angle-dependent variations (202) are caused by one or more wheals (2) on said skin surface area (11).
  15. A method according to claim 14, wherein said method further comprises the steps of: - capturing one or more images (30) of said skin surface area (11) for each of said predetermined illumination angles (20), thereby generating a set of images (31) of said skin surface area (11) for said allergen skin reaction test; - determining on said set of images (31) one or more illumination-angle-dependent variations (202) in light intensity (201) being imaged, wherein said illumination-angle-dependent variations (202) are caused by one or more wheals (2) on said skin surface area (11), thereby detecting presence of one or more wheals (2) on said skin surface area (11); and - determining, from said set of images (31), a location and/or a size and/or a shape of said wheals (2) on said skin surface area (11).

Description

Technical Field The present disclosure generally relates, amongst others, to allergy detection and more specifically to methods, devices, and systems for detecting allergies. More particularly, it relates to automating detection of allergic disease through skin reaction. Background An allergy, also known as an allergic disease, corresponds to a condition caused by hypersensitivity of the immune system of an individual to one or more substances, also referred to as allergens, present in the environment of this individual. In other words, an allergic response, medically known as an immediate type I hypersensitivity allergic response, is triggered by an apparent excessive response of the immune system of the human body to harmless environmental antigens, referred to as allergens. More particularly, an allergy is a reaction of the human body when for example an allergen comes in contact with the human body. Several different types of allergy exist such as for example hay fever, food allergies, atopic dermatitis, allergic asthma, anaphylaxis, allergies to medicines, etc. Before a clinically significant allergic response can occur, an individual must be sensitized to an allergen. During sensitization, individuals who develop allergies default to a strong Th2 CD4 T-cell response when exposed to the allergen. These Th2 cells are principally characterized by the production of the cytokines IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13. In excessive response, IL-4 and IL-13 will instruct the allergen-specific B-cells to class switch to immunoglobulin or IgE. The IgE antibodies with specificity for the offending allergen will coat the surface of mast cells located in connective and subepithelial tissues throughout the body. Mast cells bind the IgE via their cell surface high-affinity IgE receptor also known as FcεRI, resulting in the antigen-binding regions of the antibody oriented away from the cell surface. The mast cells are now said to be sensitized against the offending allergen. Re-exposure to the sensitizing allergen will cause cross-linking of the IgE on the mast cell surface by the allergen, which will stimulate the mast cell's activation and release of the chemical mediators of the allergic response. The chemical mediators released from the mast cell include histamine. This organic nitrogenous compound is the main actor in the local inflammatory reaction, its biological effects include dilation of blood vessels, increased vascular permeability, and transient contraction of smooth muscles. These cascades together with the mast cell activation that stimulates the rapid synthesis and secretion of eicosanoids, comprising for example prostaglandins and leukotrienes, both of which are derived from arachidonic acid, will cause the typical allergic reaction. Symptoms or clinical manifestation of these allergies may comprise one or more of for example red eyes, an itchy rash, sneezing, shortness of breath, swelling, rhinitis, asthma, urticaria, etc. The clinical manifestations of allergic responses vary with the anatomical site of the allergic reaction. For example, allergic rhinitis develops in response to inhaled allergens such as pollen that stimulate mast cells in the nasal mucosa, resulting in increased mucus secretion. On the other hand, allergic asthma is caused by the activation of bronchial mast cells and is characterized by airway obstruction caused by mucus secretion, inflammation, and bronchial smooth muscle contraction. Some symptoms may result in mild discomfort for the individual, while other symptoms or a combination thereof may result in severe health risks endangering the individual's life. The most severe form of allergy is anaphylaxis, caused by the systemic activation of sensitized mast cells. This may occur in response to bee stings or ingested for example nuts or shellfish, the allergens from which get absorbed into the circulation. The systemic reaction causes oedema in many tissues, accompanied by a fall in blood pressure and bronchoconstriction, creating a potentially life-threatening situation. An allergen is a type of antigen that produces an abnormally vigorous immune response in which the immune system of an individual fights off a perceived threat that would otherwise be harmless to the body. Sensitivities to allergens vary widely from one person or from one animal to another. Additionally, a very broad range of substances can be allergens to sensitive individuals. An allergen may be for example a suspended substance in the environment and which may be breathed in by an individual, such as for example pollen. An allergen may be for example ingested by an individual, such as for example food or medicines. An allergen may for example come in contact with the skin of the individual and provoke an immune response on the skin of the individual, such as for example dust mites, fabrics, metals, insect stings, insect venom, animal dander, or allergen gaseous or liquid or solid substances. Treatments for allergies incl