US5369527A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Melanoma detection device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1992-12-03
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Granted: 1994-11-29
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Expires: 2012-12-03
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for detecting indications of skin cancer, includes a magnifying glass for magnifying a lesion on an area of skin to be tested and indicia for determining the presence or absence of skin disease indications. The magnifying glass and the indicia are formed on a clear, flexible plastic sheet. The indicia include a circle for detecting whether the diameter of the lesion indicates the presence of melanoma and a cross for detecting whether the symmetry of the lesion indicates the presence of melanoma.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert McCracken
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 11:21
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/103; A61B5/1032; A61B5/1034; A61B5/0059; A61B5/44; A61B5/441; A61B5/444; G; G02; G02B; G02B25/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A disease detection apparatus, comprising: means for magnifying an area of skin; and means for detecting a visible skin disease indication; wherein the magnifying means and the detecting means are integrally formed on a sheet made of a flexible material, wherein the detecting means includes first means for observing the diameter of a skin lesion and second means for observing a symmetrical property of a skin lesion and wherein the first observing means is circular and the second observing means is cross-shaped.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
A disease detection apparatus, comprising: means for magnifying an area of skin; and means for detecting a visible skin disease indication; wherein the magnifying means and the detecting means are integrally formed on a sheet made of a flexible material, wherein the detecting means includes first means for observing the diameter of a skin lesion and second means for observing a symmetrical property of a skin lesion and wherein the first observing means is circular and the second observing means is cross-shaped.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the magnifying means is a magnifier.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the flexible material is clear plastic.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the sheet includes print indicating relevant skin disease indications to be magnified by the magnifying means or detected by the detecting means.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
40 words
An apparatus, comprising: a magnifier; and indicium located on a sheet connected to the magnifier for detecting the presence or absence of a disease indication; wherein the indicium includes a cross for observing a symmetrical property of a skin lesion.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
40 words
An apparatus, comprising: a magnifier; and indicium located on a sheet connected to the magnifier for detecting the presence or absence of a disease indication; wherein the indicium includes a cross for observing a symmetrical property of a skin lesion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 5, further including a circular-shaped indicium for observing the diameter of a skin lesion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the magnifier and the indicium is integrally formed on the sheet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the indicia are printed on the sheet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the indicium is formed on the sheet.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the sheet is made of a flexible material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the flexible material is clear plastic.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the magnifier is a magnifying glass.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the sheet includes print indicating relevant skin disease indications to be magnified by the magnifier or detected by the indicium.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of detecting indications of skin cancer on an area of skin comprising the steps of: placing a magnifier included within a sheet over an area of skin to determine the presence or absence of a disease indication on the area of skin; and aligning the area of skin with an indicium included within the sheet to determine the presence or absence of another disease indication.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of detecting indications of skin cancer on an area of skin comprising the steps of: placing a magnifier included within a sheet over an area of skin to determine the presence or absence of a disease indication on the area of skin; and aligning the area of skin with an indicium included within the sheet to determine the presence or absence of another disease indication.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 14, wherein the aligning step includes wrapping the sheet around the area of skin so that the indicium approximately conforms to the surface of the skin containing the area.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 14 further including the step of aligning the area of skin with a second indicium included within the sheet to determine the presence or absence of another disease indication.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-11-28 | 1998-05-30 | 1998-11-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-11-28 | 2002-05-30 | 2002-11-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-11-28 | 2006-05-30 | 2006-11-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |