Surgery – Diagnostic testing – Detecting nuclear – electromagnetic – or ultrasonic radiation
Patent
1998-01-16
1999-08-31
Smith, Ruth S.
Surgery
Diagnostic testing
Detecting nuclear, electromagnetic, or ultrasonic radiation
600476, A61B 500
Patent
active
059446676
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device and a method for evaluating the deformation of the surface of the skin, in particular of the skin in vivo. More particularly, the invention relates to a device for the profilometry of the human skin, aiming at evaluating the mechanical properties of the dermis, such as its elasticity and its firmness, or the state of the ageing of the skin, by measuring in a simple and fast manner the depth of the creases induced by deformation. This device is, moreover, suitable for evaluating in series the effectiveness of new basic materials and formulations for counteracting the ageing of the skin which are developed in cosmetic or dermo-pharmaceutical laboratories. Thanks to this new device tests of the ageing of the skin can also be performed at the dermatologist or institutes for cosmetic care, without any need for relying on long and complicated procedures.
2. Discussion of the Background
From the Article of M. Assoul et al. "Three dimensional measurement of skin surface topography by triangulation with new laser profilometer" which appeared in the J. of Med. Eng. and Tech., 1994, 18, 11-21, a device is known for evaluating the state of the surface of the skin in vitro, using resin replicas reproduced on the basis of a skin specimen. These replicas are examined by means of an optoelectronic device operating according to the triangulation method. The prior art device for thus evaluating the state of the skin surface on the basis of resin replicas allows accurate results to be obtained but it is not suitable, on the one hand, for an evaluation in series, in particular in vivo, requiring the preparation and evaluation of the replicas by a specialist and, on the other hand, for permitting an evaluation in a short time.
FR-A-2 607 929 describes a system for a one-way mechanical deformation of the human skin, but does not mention the optical processing of the results of this deformation in any way. Moreover, this document is not explicit as regards the type of deformation applied to the skin. Furthermore, this system does not make it possible to adapt an optoelectronic device of the above mentioned kind in a simple manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to improve this known device and to adapt it to the evaluation, in series, of deformations of the skin produced in a number of individuals; the cost of such a device is to be advantageous. The aim of the invention is, in particular, the fast evaluation of the relief of the surface of the skin after a deformation induced in vivo; it can be used by unqualified staff in cosmetic institutes, medical analytical laboratories or hospitals. In particular, the aim of the invention is to obtain the result of this evaluation in a virtually instantaneous manner.
Thus, the first aspect of the present invention is a device for evaluating in vivo the creasing of the skin, in particular of the human skin, comprising: to its surface; light beam emitted by a light source; representing the profile of the creased skin.
The means for detecting the reflected light comprise one or advantageously several position detectors.
Advantageously, the detection of the light reflected by the illuminated creased skin is effected either (i) according to the triangulation method (see the article by the above mentioned M. Assoul together with Lee C S, Kim S W, Yim D Y, "An in process measurement technique using the laser for non-contact monitoring of roughness surface and form accuracy of ground surfaces". Annals CIRP 1987: 36: 332-339), or (ii) according to the focusing method.
The triangulation method lies in passing a light beam onto a surface to be examined at a given angle of incidence, for instance 45.degree.. The position of the transmitted light beam is registered by a position detector. It is also possible to pass an incident light beam at an angle of substantially 0.degree., and to register the reflected light by two position detectors disposed at 45.degree. from the
REFERENCES:
patent: 5054502 (1991-10-01), Courage
patent: 5146923 (1992-09-01), Dhawan
Zahouani et al "Theoretical and experimental study of wound healing: application to leg ulcers" Medical & Biological Engineering & Computing pp. 234-238, Mar. 1992.
Assoul et al "Three-dimensional measurements of skin topography by triangulation with a new laser profilometer" Journal of Medical Engineering & Technology vol. 18 No. 1 pp. 11-21, Jan. 1994.
Corcuff Pierre
Leveque Jean-Luc
Mignot Jean
"L'Oreal"
Smith Ruth S.
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