Surgery – Diagnostic testing – Measurement of skin parameters
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-29
2001-06-26
Lacyk, John P. (Department: 3736)
Surgery
Diagnostic testing
Measurement of skin parameters
C600S310000, C600S573000, C600S584000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06251070
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention refers to a device and a method for measuring skin parameters.
Dermographic apparatus are known that are used to measure the topography of the skin, e.g. regarding scaling or wrinkles, with which predetermined skin parameters may be measured.
It is known, for example, to document changes of the skin using a photographic camera with macro optics.
Further, microscopic and macroscopic video cameras are known that are connected to image processing means for storing and reproducing, as well as measuring and analyzing the images.
It is a disadvantage of the known devices for measuring the skin surface that they provide no images of sufficient contrast so that evaluating the images is difficult.
It is an object of the present invention to develop a device of the above mentioned kind such that a better contrast is achieved by an improved surface reflection.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Advantageously, the housing of the present invention consists of an applicator in which an optical recording means, a video camera in this instance, and a light emitting means connected to a light source are integrated, the applicator, which is adapted to be placed on the skin surface, holds the video camera and the light emitting means at a predetermined distance from the skin surface.
Arranging the light emitting means within the applicator adapted to be set onto the skin surface allows for recordings of the skin surface that are rich in contrast, the light source either being external and connected with the light emitting means via light guides or it is integrated internally in the applicator.
The use of a neon light tube as the light source makes it possible to use a shorter wavelength, as compared to visible light, which results in a higher contrast.
Preferably, the light emitting means is arranged annularly around the optics of the video camera. Thus, the skin surface is illuminated uniformly and without shadows.
The video signal from the video camera may be transmitted to the image processing means by radio signals. In this case, the applicator with the video camera is freely movable and not dependent on a cable.
The light source for measuring the topography of the skin emits light in a wavelength range between about 350 to 400 nm, the CCD chip of the video camera being more sensitive to that wavelength range than to visible light. The shorter wavelength, as compared to visible light, allows for a surface reflection much richer in contrast with which video pictures with a significantly higher contrast may be obtained.
It is another advantage that, for example, dead skin scales are caused to emit fluorescent light, whereby they can be distinguished from other skin portions on the video picture.
Another feature of the present device is that for measuring secretions from the skin, a replaceable film is provided at a distance from the optics, the initially opaque film absorbing the secretions and becoming transparent as it absorbs them. Such a device allows for a dynamic measuring of the rate at which the secretions of the skin are produced, the absorption in the foil being documented over time by the video camera.
To measure the secretion of sebum from the skin, a sebum absorbing, initially opaque film that becomes transparent with the absorption of sebum, whereas the secretion of humidity from the skin a humidity absorbing, initially opaque film is used that becomes transparent with the absorption of humidity.
The image processing means comprises an image analyzing means that, using the online video signal or a stored video signal, performs the measuring of the skin parameters, the statistic evaluation and the documentation of the skin parameter data.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4224950 (1980-09-01), Bore et al.
patent: 5722397 (1998-03-01), Eppstein
patent: 5750356 (1998-05-01), Spack et al.
patent: 0312736 (1988-08-01), None
patent: 0129598 (1988-12-01), None
patent: 0783867 (1996-11-01), None
Carter Ryan
Courage + Khazaka electronic GmbH
Diller Ramik & Wight
Lacyk John P.
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