Apparatus and method for measuring a hue of a predetermined primary color in reflected light

An apparatus for measuring a hue of a predetermined primary color included in a beam of light reflected from a surface the apparatus having:

• a diffuse light source for creating a beam of incident light comprising a plurality of primary colors including the predetermined primary color, the beam of incident light being directed onto the surface, the beam of incident light being substantially coaxial with an incident light beam axis;
• the beam of incident light being reflected from the surface to produce the beam of reflected light, the beam of reflected light being substantially coaxial with a reflected light beam axis;
• a photometer positioned for receiving and analyzing said reflected light to provide objective chromaticity data representing the hue of the predetermined primary color;
• the incident light beam axis and the reflected light beam axis forming a predetermined angle such that said reflected light is received in the photometer;
• and
• a scale adapted for converting said objective chromaticity data to a clinical score measuring the hue of the predetermined primary color in said reflected light,
• whereby, when said incident light is directed onto the surface and the incident light beam axis and the reflected light beam axis form the predetermined angle, reflected light is received and analyzed by the photometer to provide said objective chromaticity data, and the scale converts said objective chromaticity data to the clinical score to measure the hue of the predetermined color in said reflected light.

An apparatus for measuring a hue of a predetermined primary color included in a beam of light reflected from a surface of a part of a patient's body, the apparatus having:

• a diffuse light source for creating a beam of incident light comprising a plurality of primary colors including the predetermined primary color, the beam of incident light being directed onto the surface of the body part, the beam of incident light being substantially coaxial with an incident light beam axis;
• the beam of incident light being reflected from the surface of the body part to produce the beam of reflected light, the beam of reflected light being substantially coaxial with a reflected light beam axis;
• a support for positioning the surface relative to the light source and the photometer such that said reflected light is received in the photometer;
• at least one target for viewing by the patient for positioning the surface relative to the light source and the photometer such that said reflected light is received in the photometer;
• a photometer for receiving and analyzing reflected light to provide objective chromaticity data representing the hue of the predetermined primary color;
• the incident light beam axis and the reflected light beam axis forming a predetermined angle between 30° and 50° such that said reflected light is received in the photometer;
• and
• a scale adapted for converting said objective chromaticity data to a clinical score
• measuring the hue of the predetermined primary color in said reflected light,
• whereby, when said incident light is directed onto the surface and the incident light beam axis and the reflected light beam axis form the predetermined angle, reflected light is received and analyzed by the photometer to provide said objective chromaticity data, and the scale converts said objective chromaticity data to the clinical score to measure the hue of the predetermined color in said reflected light.

A method of measuring a hue of a predetermined primary color included in light reflected from a surface, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a diffuse light source for creating incident light comprising a plurality of primary colors including the predetermined primary color, the incident light being directed onto the surface, the incident light reflecting from the surface to produce said reflected light;
• (b) providing a photometer for receiving and analyzing said reflected light to provide objective chromaticity data representing the hue of the predetermined primary color;
• (c) positioning the surface relative to the light source and the photometer such that said reflected light is received in the photometer;
• and
• (d) providing a scale adapted for converting said objective chromaticity data to a clinical score measuring the hue of the predetermined primary color in said reflected light.

A method of measuring a hue of a predetermined primary color included in a beam of light reflected from a surface of a part of a patient's body, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a diffuse light source for creating a beam of incident light comprising a plurality of primary colors including the predetermined primary color, the beam of incident light being directed onto the surface, the beam of incident light being substantially coaxial with an incident light beam axis, the beam of incident light being reflected from the surface to produce the beam of reflected light, the beam of reflected light being substantially coaxial with a reflected light beam axis;
• (b) providing a photometer for receiving and analyzing the reflected light to provide objective chromaticity data representing the hue of the predetermined primary color;
• (c) positioning the light source and the photometer relative to each other and the surface such that the incident light beam axis and the reflected light beam axis form a predetermined angle between approximately 30° and approximately 50° and said reflected light is received in the photometer;
• and
• (d) providing a scale adapted for converting said objective chromaticity data to a clinical score measuring the hue of the predetermined primary color in said reflected light.

A method of assessing a condition of a bulbus oculi by measuring a hue of a predetermined primary color included in light reflected from a surface of an exposed portion of the bulbus oculi, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a diffuse light source for creating incident light comprising a plurality of primary colors including the predetermined primary color directed onto the exposed portion of the bulbus oculi, said incident light being reflected from the surface of the exposed portion of the bulbus oculi to produce said reflected light;
• (b) providing a photometer for receiving and analyzing said reflected light to provide objective chromaticity data representing the hue of the predetermined primary color;
• (c) providing a scale adapted for converting said objective chromaticity data to a clinical score measuring the hue of the predetermined primary color in said reflected light;
• and
• (d) comparing the clinical score to a control clinical score measuring a control hue of the predetermined primary color related to a predetermined health condition of the bulbus oculi,
• whereby the condition of the bulbus oculi is assessed.

A method of assessing a condition of a tarsal area by measuring a hue of a predetermined primary color included in light reflected from a surface of an exposed portion of the tarsal area, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a diffuse light source for creating incident light comprising a plurality of primary colors including the predetermined primary color directed onto the exposed portion of the tarsal area, said incident light being reflected from the surface of the exposed portion of the tarsal area to produce said reflected light;
• (b) providing a photometer for receiving and analyzing said reflected light to provide objective chromaticity data representing the hue of the predetermined primary color;
• (c) providing a scale adapted for converting said objective chromaticity data to a clinical score measuring the hue of the predetermined primary color in said reflected light;
• and
• (d) comparing the clinical score to a control clinical score measuring a control hue of the predetermined primary color related to a predetermined health condition of the tarsal area,
• whereby the condition of the tarsal area is assessed.