Granted Patent B2

US 12,514,455 · App. 18/061,198 · Granted Jan 6, 2026

Inventors: Darius S. Francescatti (Cheyenne, WY); Cristian J. Wedekind (Cheyenne, WY); Scott Tremberth (Cheyenne, WY); Philip Paul Hoekstra, III (Cheyenne, WY)

Assignee: ANGIOLYTICS LLC

A61B5/015G01N2021/0106G01N2021/0181G01N2021/0187

Abstract

Claims (32)

1. A system for infrared analysis of a target surface region of a subject, the system comprising:

a reservoir containing a medium at a predetermined temperature;

a conduit defining a channel for transmitting the medium from the reservoir to the target surface region, the conduit having a first end that is attached to an outlet of the reservoir and a second end that is flexibly conformable to a shape corresponding to a perimeter of the target surface region and defining a sealed microenvironment test space with a pressure relief vent, the sealed microenvironment test space surrounding the target surface region of the subject and having a predefined volume and a predefined atmospheric condition therein based upon an evacuation of an ambient environment and replacement with the medium;

an infrared camera operable to capture infrared image data of the target surface region through the sealed microenvironment test space; and

one or more processors operable to produce a representation of the captured infrared image data at a plurality of timings relative to the transmission of the medium from the reservoir to the target surface region.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the medium is a gas.

3. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a fan operable to drive the medium from the reservoir to the target surface region via the conduit.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined temperature is less than 35° C.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the conduit is infrared transparent.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the conduit includes one or more vents allowing the medium to pass from the channel to outside the conduit.

7. The system of claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive provided on the second end of the conduit.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the conduit comprises a detachable endpiece that has the second end.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the conduit terminates in at least one flap by which the second end of the conduit is divided into two or more segments that are sealable together.

10. A system for infrared analysis of a target surface region of a subject, the system comprising:

a reservoir containing a medium at a predetermined temperature;

a canopy that is deployable above and at least partially surrounding the target surface region, the canopy having an inlet that is attached to an outlet of the reservoir and having a plurality of outlets spaced apart from each other on an underside of the canopy, the canopy defining a plurality of channels for transmitting the medium from the reservoir to the target surface region via the inlet and the plurality of outlets, the canopy further defining a sealed microenvironment test space with a pressure relief vent, the sealed microenvironment test space surrounding the target surface region of the subject and having a predefined volume and a predefined atmospheric condition therein based upon an evacuation of an ambient environment and replacement with the medium;

an infrared camera operable to capture infrared image data of the target surface region through the sealed microenvironment test space; and

one or more processors operable to produce a representation of the captured infrared image data at a plurality of timings relative to the transmission of the medium from the reservoir to the target surface region.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the medium is a gas.

12. The system of claim 10 , further comprising a fan operable to drive the medium from the reservoir to the target surface region via the canopy.

13. The system of claim 10 , wherein the predetermined temperature is less than 35° C.

14. The system of claim 10 , wherein the canopy is infrared transparent.

15. The system of claim 10 , wherein the canopy comprises a plurality of directable vents each of which is arranged to direct the medium exiting from a corresponding one of the plurality of outlets.

16. The system of claim 10 , wherein the canopy comprises a top panel and two side panels, the two side panels hinged to the top panel at opposite sides thereof.

17. The system of claim 10 , wherein the canopy comprises a flexible drape.

18. A method of conducting infrared analysis of a target surface region of a subject, the method comprising:

providing a reservoir containing a medium at a predetermined temperature;

transmitting the medium from the reservoir to the target surface region, the target surface region being enclosed within a sealed microenvironment test space with a pressure relief vent, the sealed microenvironment test space having a predefined volume and a predefined atmospheric condition therein based upon an evacuation of an ambient environment and replacement with the medium;

capturing infrared image data of the target surface region through the sealed microenvironment test space at a plurality of timings relative to the transmission of the medium from the reservoir to the target surface region, the plurality of timings including at least a first timing during the transmission of the medium and a second timing during a recovery phase, the recovery phase being after cessation of the transmission of the medium but before the target surface region returns to a pre-transmission temperature; and

producing a representation of the captured infrared image data at the plurality of timings.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the target surface region comprises both of the subject's breasts.

20. The method of claim 18 , wherein the target surface region comprises only one of the subject's breasts.

Assignments (1)

Continuity (2)

References Cited (60)