WO2017089737A1

WO2017089737A1 - Cancer training aid device

Info

Publication number: WO2017089737A1
Application number: PCT/GB2015/053585
Authority: WO
Inventors: Carrie PEMBERTON FORD; Victor Stekly
Original assignee: Pemberton Ford Carrie
Priority date: 2015-11-24
Filing date: 2015-11-24
Publication date: 2017-06-01

Abstract

The invention relates to a cancer training aid device for training a user to detect the presence of cancer in an organ. The invention also relates to a cancer training kit comprising said device and computer-readable storage medium comprising cancer training application software.

Description

CANCER TRAINING AID DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Breast cancer is a type of cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas, while those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas. Breast cancer occurs in humans and other mammals. The characteristics of the cancer determine the treatment, which may include surgery, medications (hormonal therapy and chemotherapy), radiation and/or immunotherapy.

Surgery provides the single largest benefit, and to increase the likelihood of remission (no further sign of the cancer), several chemotherapy regimens are commonly given in addition. Radiation is used after breast-conserving surgery and substantially improves local relapse rates and in many circumstances also overall survival.

Worldwide, breast cancer accounts for 22.9% of all cancers (excluding non-melanoma skin cancers) in women. In 2008, breast cancer caused 458,503 deaths worldwide (13.7% of cancer deaths in women). Breast cancer is more than 100 times more common in women than in men, although men tend to have poorer outcomes due to delays in diagnosis.

Prognosis and survival rates for breast cancer vary greatly depending on the cancer type, stage, treatment, and geographical location of the patient. Survival rates in the Western world are high; for example, more than 8 out of 10 women (85%) in England diagnosed with breast cancer survive for at least 5 years. In developing countries, however, survival rates are much poorer.

The first noticeable symptom of breast cancer is typically a lump that feels different from the rest of the breast tissue. More than 80% of breast cancer cases are discovered when the woman feels a lump. Testicular cancer is cancer that develops in the testicles, a part of the male reproductive system. In the United States, between 7,500 and 8,000 diagnoses of testicular cancer are made each year. In the UK, approximately 2,000 men are diagnosed each year, and over his lifetime, a man's risk of testicular cancer is roughly 1 in 200 (0.4%). It is the most common cancer in males aged 20-39 years, the period of peak incidence, and is rarely seen before the age of 15 years.

Testicular cancer has one of the highest cure rates of all cancers. For example, if the cancer hasn't spread outside the testicle, the 5-year relative survival rate is 99%. Even if the cancer has grown into nearby structures or has spread to nearby lymph nodes, the rate is 96%. If it has spread to organs or lymph nodes away from the tumor, the 5-year relative survival rate is around 74% (metastasized). Even for the relatively few cases in which malignant cancer has spread widely, modern chemotherapy offers a cure rate of at least 80%. One of the first signs of testicular cancer is often a lump or swelling in the testes. The

American Cancer Society suggests that some men should examine their testicles monthly, especially if they have a family history of cancer, and the American Urological Association recommends monthly testicular self-examinations for all young men. There is therefore a need for a training aid to assist a human subject in regular self- examination of an organ such as the breast or testicle to detect the early signs of cancer, such as the presence of a growth or lump.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a cancer training aid device for training a user to detect the presence of cancer in an organ wherein said device comprises an outer surface and an inner core, wherein the outer surface is configured to correspond to the texture of said organ and the inner core is configured to correspond to the resistance of tissue within said organ and wherein the inner core additionally comprises at least one cancerous growth component which simulates the presence of a cancerous growth within said organ.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a cancer training aid kit for training a user to detect the presence of cancer in an organ wherein said kit comprises a cancer training aid device as defined herein and cancer training application software for storage on a personal computer, laptop, PDA or mobile phone. According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium comprising cancer training application software as defined herein which enables a processing device to receive usage events from a cancer training aid device as defined herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 schematically shows one embodiment of the cancer training aid device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a cancer training aid device for training a user to detect the presence of cancer in an organ wherein said device comprises an outer surface and an inner core, wherein the outer surface is configured to correspond to the texture of said organ and the inner core is configured to correspond to the resistance of tissue within said organ and wherein the inner core additionally comprises at least one cancerous growth component which simulates the presence of a cancerous growth within said organ. The device of the invention provides a significant tool to enable users to develop the confidence and competency for regular self-examination of an organ such as the breast or testicle and for consistency in understanding how to recognize the early signs of cancer, such as the presence of a growth or lump. It is not intended to represent a diagnostic tool but is intended to allow a user to seek medical attention if they believe they have identified the early signs of cancer. The survival rates are significantly increased for individuals with early onset cancer therefore the device of the invention provides a significant aid for enhancing the survival rates of cancer patients. Studies have revealed that up to half of patients cannot understand basic healthcare information. Such low health literacy reduces early intervention consequent to tardiness in reporting which can undermine the success of subsequent treatments. Low health literacy is also seen to contribute to an increased risk of medical error. It is believed that the use of the device of the invention as opposed to literature, such as pamphlets, which can easily be misunderstood or not even read by illiterate users will greatly enhance health literacy. It will be appreciated that references herein to the term "user" refer to an individual using the device of the invention. Such an individual may or may not have medical training. It will be appreciated that the invention finds great utility with the self-examination of any suitable organ. In one embodiment, the organ is an internal organ, such as a prostate. In an alternative embodiment, the organ is an external organ, such as a breast, testicle or the skin (i.e. a melanoma). In a further embodiment, the external organ is a breast and the cancer training aid device is a breast cancer training aid. In an alternative further embodiment, the external organ is a testicle and the cancer training aid device is a testicular cancer training aid. In the embodiment where the organ is an external organ and is a breast, it will be appreciated that said breast may be a female or male breast. In one embodiment, the external organ is a female breast.

It will be appreciated that the outer surface is configured to correspond to the texture of said organ. Thus, the outer surface may be constructed from any material suitable to simulate the texture of said organ. Such suitable materials include soft and pliable materials which are not limited to: plastic, rubber, latex or resin materials.

It will be appreciated that the inner core is configured to correspond to the resistance of tissue within said organ. Thus, the inner core may be constructed from any material suitable to simulate the tissue within said organ. Such suitable materials include materials of intermediate pliability which are not limited to: plastic, rubber, latex, elastomeric, polymeric or resin derived materials or any mixtures thereof. It is highly desirable for the device to be shaped to be conveniently squeezed by one hand of a user. Thus, in one embodiment, the shape of the device is substantially spherical. In a further embodiment, the device has a flattened base. This embodiment provides the advantage of preventing the device from rolling off a surface, such as a desk or worktop. In the embodiment where the organ is a breast (i.e. a female breast), the size and/or shape of the device may correspond to the size and/or shape of a typical breast. In the embodiment where the organ is a testicle, the size and/or shape of the device may correspond to the size and/or shape of a typical testicle.

It is well known that subjects with breast cancer not only develop cancerous growths or lumps within the breast tissue but the skin texture of the breast changes. Thus, in one embodiment, at least a portion of said outer surface is configured to correspond to the skin texture of a subject with breast cancer, for example, a thickening relative to the remainder of the outer surface or a pitted, or orange peel-like, surface relative to the remainder of the outer surface. These embodiments of the invention provide further education to a user with respect to confidently and competently recognizing the early signs of breast cancer.

It will be appreciated that the cancerous growth components are synthetically constructed objects intended to simulate the presence of a cancerous growth. These components may be constructed from any material suitable to simulate the presence of a cancerous growth within the organ. Such suitable materials include firm or rigid materials which are not limited to: plastics, rubber, gel-like or metallic materials.

In one embodiment, the device comprises a plurality of cancerous growth components. This embodiment has the advantage of providing the user with a greater range of objects to explore when squeezing or otherwise applying pressure to the device.

In one embodiment, each cancerous growth component comprises at least one feature configured to replicate a cancerous lump, for example, said at least one feature is selected from size, shape, topology, texture, feel and resistance. In a further embodiment, each of said cancerous growth components differ in at least one feature is selected from size, shape, topology, texture, feel and resistance. This embodiment has the advantage of educating the user of the differing types and facets of cancerous growths and lumps which may be present within breast or testicle cancer.

In one embodiment, the device additionally comprises electrical power storage, such as a battery, in particular a rechargeable battery. This embodiment has the advantage of enabling the device to contain a number of electronic components such as those referred to herein.

In one embodiment, the device is formed of two parts. This embodiment provides the advantage of simplifying construction and also allowing the power storage or any other electronic components referred to herein to be easily inserted during manufacture.

In one embodiment, the device additionally comprises pressure detection means configured to detect the pressure applied to the device by a user. In a further embodiment, the device additionally comprises alerting means configured to alert a user when the correct pressure has been applied to the device. In a yet further embodiment, said alerting means comprise an audible alert, such as a speaker or a visual alert, such as one or more light-emitting devices, for example an LED. These embodiments provide the advantage of educating the user of the typical and accurate degree of pressure which should be applied to the organ when conducting self-examination. The pressure detection means may be constructed by having a pressure sensor linked to a processor capable of assessing the degree of pressure applied by a user which is then itself linked to the alerting means to give a positive alert (i.e. an audible or visual alert) that the correct pressure has been applied. The device may also be constructed to provide a negative signal (i.e. a differing audible or visual alert) when an incorrect pressure has been applied. The device of the invention is intended to be present in a prominent location to the user, for example, at their workstation or on a sideboard, counter or shelf in the home. However, there is a great tendency for individuals not to notice or pay attention to objects which are present on surfaces in everyday life. Thus, in one embodiment, the device additionally comprises reminder means configured to periodically alert a user of the need to examine their organ(s). In a further embodiment, the reminder means are configured to alert the user once per calendar month or every 4 weeks. In a yet further embodiment, said reminder means comprise an audible alert, such as a speaker or a visual alert, such as one or more light-emitting devices, for example an LED. In a yet further embodiment, said application of pressure to the device is configured to cancel an existing alert and initiate a further alert. These embodiments provide the advantage of reminding the user to perform both checks which are required on a regular basis. Firstly, they should apply pressure to the device of the invention as a reminder of typical features to detect and the correct application of pressure. Secondly, they should perform a self-examination of the organ. Most individuals are not aware of how often such self-examinations should be performed therefore these

embodiments of the invention provide a beneficial arrangement to ensure that self- examination is conducted as often as recommended (i.e. every month).

In one embodiment, the device additionally comprises a socket for a wired connection, such as a universal serial bus (USB) FireWire, Ethernet, MIDI, eSATA/eSATAp or Thunderbolt connector. This embodiment provides the advantage of allowing the device of the invention to communicate to a personal computer, laptop, PDA or mobile phone or to power or charge the device.

In one embodiment, the device additionally comprises wireless communicating means, such as WiFi, WiDi, LiFi, Bluetooth or InfraRed. This embodiment provides the advantage of allowing the device of the invention to communicate to a personal computer, laptop, PDA or mobile phone in a more convenient manner without the need for wires or cables for powering, charging or communication purposes.

In a further embodiment, the communicating means are configured to communicate usage events to software located on a personal computer, laptop, PDA or mobile phone. In a yet further embodiment, said usage events comprise frequency of use and successful application of pressure by the user. It is envisaged that an alert could be triggered in a personal computer, laptop, PDA or mobile phone which reminds the user of the need to apply pressure to the device as a reminder of typical features to detect and the correct application of pressure required and subsequently then conduct a self-examination. The device may then communicate to the personal computer, laptop, PDA or mobile phone that correct pressure has been applied to the device and a new reminder could then be set.

It is envisaged that the device of the invention will have an aesthetically pleasing appearance and lend itself to being placed in a prominent location of the user's home or workplace. Thus, in one embodiment, the device additionally comprises graphical representations on the outer surface, such as a company or charity logo or branding. These embodiments not only have the advantage of creating an aesthetically pleasing appearance but will also assist with promoting the services of a charity (i.e. a cancer charity) or a charity may be able to subsidize the acquisition of the device by selling advertising space on the device to a company.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a cancer training aid kit for training a user to detect the presence of cancer in an organ wherein said kit comprises a cancer training aid device as defined herein and cancer training application software for storage on a personal computer, laptop, PDA or mobile phone.

In one embodiment, said cancer training application software is configured to communicate with the cancer training aid device.

This aspect and embodiment of the invention envisages the provision of the device itself along with a disc (i.e. CD or DVD) or other computer-readable storage means which contains cancer training application software to enable the device to communicate with the personal computer, laptop, PDA or mobile phone as defined hereinbefore. It could also be envisaged that the kit may simply comprise a unique code or password which could be entered on a website in order to download the cancer training application software (or App) onto the personal computer, laptop, PDA or mobile phone.

In one embodiment, said cancer training application software comprises one or more educational videos. This embodiment provides the significant advantage of providing the user with demonstration videos on how to use the device, the accompanying "App" and also, more importantly, how to best perform a self-examination on an organ.

It will be appreciated that the App per se constitutes a separate and important aspect of the invention. Thus, according to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer- readable storage medium comprising cancer training application software as defined herein which enables a processing device to receive usage events from a cancer training aid device as defined herein. In one embodiment, the processing device is selected from a personal computer, laptop, PDA or mobile phone.

In one embodiment, said usage events comprise frequency of use, successful application of pressure by the user and the cancellation of any reminders set by the processing device.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to Figure 1 , the cancer training aid device shown generally as 100 comprises an outer surface 101 , an inner core 102 and at least one cancerous growth component 110, 1 11 and 112 which simulates the presence of a cancerous growth within said organ. The embodiment shown in Figure 1 comprises three cancerous growth components, however, it is envisaged that any number is suitable as long as at least one is present. The three cancerous growth components shown in Figure 1 are intended to each represent a differing shape, size and texture (i.e. the irregular edges of 110, the notched surface of 1 1 1 and the rounded surface of 1 12). The dotted line shows the embodiment where the device is formed of two parts 120 and 121 which allows for convenient manufacture of a centrally located housing 130 for the electrical power storage, pressure detection means, alerting means and/or wireless communicating means. The embodiment shown in Figure 1 also comprises a pitted, or orange peel-like, surface 140 relative to the remainder of the outer surface which is intended to correspond to the skin texture of a subject with breast cancer.

Claims

1. A cancer training aid device for training a user to detect the presence of cancer in an organ wherein said device comprises an outer surface and an inner core, wherein the outer surface is configured to correspond to the texture of said organ and the inner core is configured to correspond to the resistance of tissue within said organ and wherein the inner core additionally comprises at least one cancerous growth component which simulates the presence of a cancerous growth within said organ.

2. The cancer training aid device as defined in claim 1 , wherein the organ is an external organ.

3. The cancer training aid device as defined in claim 2, wherein the external organ is a breast.

4. The cancer training aid device as defined in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the shape of the device is substantially spherical.

5. The cancer training aid device as defined in claim 4, wherein the device has a flattened base.

6. The cancer training aid device as defined in claim 3, wherein the size and/or shape of the device corresponds to the size and/or shape of a typical breast.

7. The cancer training aid device as defined in any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein at least a portion of said outer surface is configured to correspond to the skin texture of a subject with breast cancer.

8. The cancer training aid device as defined in claim 7, wherein the skin texture of a subject with breast cancer comprises a thickening relative to the remainder of the outer surface.

9. The cancer training aid device as defined in claim 7, wherein the skin texture of a subject with breast cancer comprises a pitted, or orange peel-like, surface relative to the remainder of the outer surface.

10. The cancer training aid device as defined in claim 2, wherein the external organ is a testicle.

1 1. The cancer training aid device as defined in claim 10, wherein the size and/or shape of the device corresponds to the size and/or shape of a typical testicle.

12. The cancer training aid device as defined in any one of claims 1 to 11 , which comprises a plurality of cancerous growth components.

13. The cancer training aid device as defined in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein each cancerous growth component comprises at least one feature configured to replicate a cancerous lump.

14. The cancer training aid device as defined in claim 13, wherein the at least one feature is selected from size, shape, topology, texture, feel and resistance.

15. The cancer training aid device as defined in any one of claims 1 to 14, which is formed of two parts.

16. The cancer training aid device as defined in any one of claims 1 to 15, which additionally comprises electrical power storage, such as a battery, in particular a rechargeable battery.

17. The cancer training aid device as defined in any one of claims 1 to 16, which additionally comprises pressure detection means configured to detect the pressure applied to the device by a user.

18. The cancer training aid device as defined in claim 17, which additionally comprises alerting means configured to alert a user when the correct pressure has been applied to the device.

19. The cancer training aid device as defined in claim 18, wherein said alerting means comprise an audible alert, such as a speaker or a visual alert, such as one or more light- emitting devices, for example an LED.

20. The cancer training aid device as defined in any one of claims 1 to 19, which additionally comprises reminder means configured to periodically alert a user of the need to examine their organ(s).

21. The cancer training aid device as defined in claim 20, wherein the reminder means are configured to alert the user once per calendar month or every 4 weeks.

22. The cancer training aid device as defined in claim 20 or claim 21 , wherein said reminder means comprise an audible alert, such as a speaker or a visual alert, such as one or more light-emitting devices, for example an LED.

23. The cancer training aid device as defined in any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein application of pressure to the device is configured to cancel an existing alert and initiate a further alert.

24. The cancer training aid device as defined in any one of claims 1 to 23, which additionally comprises a socket for a wired connection, such as a universal serial bus (USB) FireWire, Ethernet, MIDI, eSATA/eSATAp or Thunderbolt connector.

25. The cancer training aid device as defined in any one of claims 1 to 24, which additionally comprises wireless communicating means, such as WiFi, WiDi, LiFi, Bluetooth or InfraRed.

26. The cancer training aid device as defined in claim 25, wherein the communicating means are configured to communicate usage events to software located on a personal computer, laptop, PDA or mobile phone.

27. The cancer training aid device as defined in claim 26, wherein said usage events comprise frequency of use and successful application of pressure by the user.

28. The cancer training aid device as defined in any one of claims 1 to 27, which additionally comprises graphical representations on the outer surface, such as a company or charity logo or branding.

29. A cancer training aid kit for training a user to detect the presence of cancer in an organ wherein said kit comprises a cancer training aid device as defined in any one of claims 1 to 28 and cancer training application software for storage on a personal computer, laptop, PDA or mobile phone.

30. The cancer training aid kit as defined in claim 29, wherein said cancer training application software is configured to communicate with the cancer training aid device.

31. The cancer training aid kit as defined in claim 29 or claim 30, wherein said cancer training application comprises one or more educational videos.

32. A computer-readable storage medium comprising cancer training application software as defined in claims 29 to 31 which enables a processing device to receive usage events from a cancer training aid device as defined in claims 1 to 28.

33. The computer-readable storage medium as defined in claim 32, wherein the processing device is selected from a personal computer, laptop, PDA or mobile phone.

34. The computer-readable storage medium as defined in claim 32 or claim 33, wherein said usage events comprise frequency of use, successful application of pressure by the user and the cancellation of any reminders set by the processing device.