Surgery – Diagnostic testing – Measuring anatomical characteristic or force applied to or...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-10
2001-10-30
Winakur, Eric F. (Department: 3736)
Surgery
Diagnostic testing
Measuring anatomical characteristic or force applied to or...
Reexamination Certificate
active
06309363
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns the characterization of human skin.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Numerous methods exist for attempting to characterize human skin by measuring certain properties such as elasticity, compressibility, hygrometry etc. For example, the document U.S. Pat. No. 4,206,769 A describes a probe for measuring such properties.
Also known from the document FR 2,749,793 is an electric razor that includes an integrated friction sensor, continuously measuring the degree of friction that appears between the skin and the razor grids. This result is exploited to modify the level of shaving, but not at all for characterizing the human skin.
However, these methods most often conceived for limited applications in cosmetics are aware of only certain aspects of the skin. The goal of the invention is to explore another method of characterizing the skin.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This goal is reached according to the invention by a device for characterization of the human skin, characterized in that it comprises a tribometer, that is, an apparatus for measuring the frictional force between two antagonistic surfaces, and by the associated procedure, which comprises measuring by means of a tribometer the frictional force between the skin and a measuring tip moving on the surface of the skin. The speed of movement is preferably between 0.1 mm/min and 100 mm/min.
Advantageously, the tribometer comprises a measuring arm at a first end of which are mounted a measuring tip and measuring sensor capable of measuring a frictional force being exerted on the tip, and the second end of which is mounted in a support enabling linear movement of the first end.
Advantageously, the first end comprises an articulated terminal shaft, preferably according to at least two nonparallel axes, enabling the explored surface of the skin of a subject to be followed freely with the tip.
Advantageously, the arm comprises at least a weight that is adjustable, for example, by means of weights that are added at will, and/or sliding weights, allowing a load to be exerted, preferably between 0.1 N and 10 N.
Advantageously, the measuring tip has a hemispherical end with a radius, for example, between 5 and 200 mm.
Preferentially, the measuring tip is covered with a fabric, for example by gluing, especially with a self-adhesive fabric. This fabric may be formed from any type of woven material based on organic fibers of plant, animal, mineral or synthetic origin. A woven material has the advantage of not having a great difference between the coefficient of static friction and the coefficient of dynamic friction.
Downstream of the sensor the device comprises an amplifier that receives signals from the sensor, especially load and frictional force signals, and sends them on a device for visualization or archiving.
Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description below of an embodiment of the invention illustrated in the attached drawings in which:
REFERENCES:
patent: 4206769 (1980-06-01), Dikstein
patent: 0 836 831 (1998-04-01), None
patent: 2 749 793 (1997-12-01), None
Odman, S., “Potential and Impedance Variations Following Skin Deformation,” Medical & Biological Engineering & Computing, 19:271-277(1981).
Chen Yan-Ming
Pavy Jean-Claude
Centre Technique des Industries Mecaniques
Hoffman & Baron LLP
Szmal Brian
Winakur Eric F.
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