A facial elastic modulus testing device

Abstract

The present invention relates to the technical field of human skin mechanical property testing, and discloses a facial elastic modulus testing device, which includes a flexible carrier. A number of ultrasonic transducers and a pressurizing unit are installed on the carrier. The ultrasonic transducers and the pressurizing unit are cross-distributed. The ultrasonic transducers are connected to a phased array control unit, and the pressurizing unit is connected to an array control device. Both the phased array control unit and the array control device are connected to a computer host, and the computer host is connected to a display. The present invention can solve the problems in the prior art that there is a lack of quantitative means for measuring the elasticity of facial skin, it is impossible to provide precise guidance for facial energy stimulation, and it is difficult to finely assist in stimulating facial muscles.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of human skin mechanical property testing, and particularly relates to a facial elastic modulus testing device. Background Art

[0002] The research on the mechanical properties of human facial skin and the facial expression research based on this have important academic value in many fields such as mechanics, medical health, animation, psychology, criminal investigation, etc. Since the 1960s, the related research on skin has been increasingly valued. In this multi-disciplinary research, the research on the mechanical properties of human facial skin undoubtedly plays a fundamental and key role. High-level research on the mechanical properties of human facial skin can promote and drive the research on muscle movement and deformation transmission of typical expressions (surprise, disgust, anger, fear, sadness, pleasure, etc.). In addition, the research on the mechanical properties of facial skin has important guiding significance for facial surgery, wound recovery, plastic surgery, facial paralysis recovery and other work. The most important mechanical property of facial skin is elasticity, which is usually reflected by the elastic modulus. Existing tests for the elastic modulus of facial skin and muscles are more based on experience, such as visual inspection, manual touch, or post-processing of pictures taken by a camera. None of the above test methods can be quantified. It is precisely because the measurement method lacks a quantification means that when massaging or applying other energy stimuli to facial muscles subsequently, there is a lack of precise guidance and only large-area treatment can be carried out. This treatment method has little effect on subtle changes and it is difficult to achieve fine adjustment. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention aims to provide a facial elastic modulus testing device to solve the problems in the prior art that the measurement of facial skin elasticity lacks a quantification means, cannot provide precise guidance for facial energy stimulation, and it is difficult to finely assist in stimulating facial muscles.

[0004] To achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A facial elastic modulus testing device includes a flexible carrier, on which a plurality of ultrasonic transducers and a pressurizing unit arranged in a matrix are installed. The ultrasonic transducers and the pressurizing unit are cross-distributed. The ultrasonic transducers are connected to a phased array control unit, and the pressurizing unit is connected to an array control device. Both the phased array control unit and the array control device are connected to a computer host, and the computer host is connected to a display.

[0005] The principle and advantages of this solution are as follows: In practical applications, the carrier provides support for the ultrasonic transducer matrix and the pressurizing unit matrix, forming a flexible whole. The whole wraps the entire face in the form of a mask. The ultrasonic transducers and pressurizing units distributed in a matrix divide the face into a phased array form. The face is pressurized by the pressurizing unit, and the operation of the pressurizing unit is controlled by a computer host and an array control device. Under pressure, the facial skin deforms. Ultrasonic waves are applied through the ultrasonic transducers to measure the deformation and elastic modulus of the facial skin, and the elastic modulus values of the facial skin in different regions can be accurately obtained. The phased array control unit controls the operation of the ultrasonic transducers and, after the measured elastic modulus is processed by the computer host, differentiates it in different colors on the display, showing the elastic value image of the face. Through the carrier, the ultrasonic transducer matrix, and the pressurizing unit matrix, the face is effectively divided into several regions, and the elasticity of different regional tissues is effectively distinguished, establishing a detailed elastic distribution map of the entire face, which is then conducive to targeted facial stimulation and provides good guidance for dermatological beauty, facial paralysis, and postoperative facial recovery, etc.

[0006] Further, preferably, as an improvement, the carrier is a rectangular bladder, and the bladder is filled with a liquid ultrasonic coupling agent. Adopting the bladder structure and filling it with a liquid ultrasonic coupling agent makes the carrier fit better with the face during use, and the transmission of ultrasonic waves is more stable and accurate, making the measurement of facial deformation and elastic modulus more precise and enabling more accurate facial elastic parameters to be obtained.

[0007] Further, preferably, as an improvement, each ultrasonic transducer includes an ultrasonic transmitting sheet and an ultrasonic receiving sheet arranged side by side, and the ultrasonic transmitting sheet and the ultrasonic receiving sheet are flatly attached to the bladder. In this way, each ultrasonic transducer can combine the emission and reception of ultrasonic waves to work, and can emit and receive ultrasonic waves at different time sequences. The flat attachment method is conducive to ensuring comprehensive ultrasonic wave coverage of the face.

[0008] Further, preferably, as an improvement, the pressurizing unit includes a pressurizing tube, a piston rod is provided inside the pressurizing tube, and a pressurizing sheet is formed by circumferential extension at the end of the piston rod extending out of the pressurizing tube. The pressurizing tube is connected to a hydraulic pump through a hydraulic tube. The hydraulic pump pumps liquid into the pressurizing tube through the hydraulic tube to provide pressure, and the hydraulic pressure pushes the piston rod, so that the pressurizing sheet presses on the face. In this way, the pressure is stable, and the pressure can be accurately controlled by the electronic control of the hydraulic pump.

[0009] Further, preferably, as an improvement, the ultrasonic transducers and the pressurizing sheets are located inside the bladder. In this way, the ultrasonic transducers and the pressurizing sheets can be isolated and protected by the bladder, avoiding damage caused by frequent contact with the outside world, and can more effectively ensure the pressure on the face and the accuracy of ultrasonic detection.

[0010] Further, preferably, as an improvement, the ultrasonic transducer and the pressing sheet are immersed in the liquid ultrasonic coupling agent inside the pouch. In this way, the ultrasonic detection of the face is more stable, accurate, and reliable, and the service life of the ultrasonic transducer and the pressing sheet is longer.

[0011] Further, preferably, as an improvement, the ultrasonic transducer and the pressing unit are connected to the upper inner wall of the pouch. In this way, the ultrasonic transducer and the pressing unit are on the upper side of the pouch, and the outer wall of the lower side of the pouch contacts the face, which is more conducive to pressing the face and ultrasonic detection.

[0012] Further, preferably, as an improvement, the carrier is connected with a lifting mechanism, and the lifting mechanism includes two juxtaposed lifting frames. Each lifting frame includes two juxtaposed telescopic rods, and the top ends of the telescopic rods are connected to the carrier. The carrier is supported by the two lifting frames, and the telescopic rods form a four-corner support on the carrier to spread out the carrier. During use, the coverage of the face by the carrier is adjusted by lifting, which is convenient to operate and conducive to the full coverage of the face.

[0013] Further, preferably, as an improvement, a support rod is connected between the bottom ends of the two telescopic rods of the lifting frame. The two telescopic rods of the lifting frame are connected into one body by the support rod, the integrity of the lifting frame is better, and the support for the carrier is more stable and reliable.

[0014] Further, preferably, as an improvement, the thickness of the carrier is 1-2 mm. In this way, it can ensure that the carrier better fits the facial contour, and is also more conducive to the pressing effect on the face and the ultrasonic detection accuracy. Description of the Drawings

[0015] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 It is a flowchart of ultrasonic detection in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the pressure supply structure of the pressing unit in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 4 It is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0019] The following is further detailed through specific embodiments:

[0020] The reference numerals in the drawings of the specification include: pouch 1, ultrasonic transducer 2, pressing sheet 3, piston column 31, pressure pipe 32, hydraulic pipe 33, array type pressing control device 4, phased array control unit 5, computer host 6, display 7, sleeve 8, inner pipe 9, bottom rod 10.

[0021] Example 1 is basically as shown in the appendix Figure 1 as follows: A facial elastic modulus testing device includes a rectangular bladder 1, which is a flexible bag body. The bladder 1 is filled with a liquid ultrasonic coupling agent, and the thickness between the upper surface and the lower surface of the bladder 1 is 1-2 mm. Sixty-four rectangular sheet-like ultrasonic transducers 2 are densely arranged in a matrix on the inner surface of the upper wall of the bladder 1. The ultrasonic transducers 2 are bonded to the inner wall of the bladder 1. Each ultrasonic transducer 2 includes an ultrasonic transmitting sheet and an ultrasonic receiving sheet arranged side by side. The ultrasonic transducers 2 are controlled by a phased array control unit 5, and the phased array control unit 5 is connected to a computer host 6.

[0022] Each cross point in the middle of the matrix is provided with a pressurizing unit. A total of forty-nine pressurizing units are arranged in a matrix distribution. Each pressurizing unit includes a pressurizing tube 32, and the pressurizing tube 32 is connected to a pressure supply structure. As shown in Figure 3 the figure, the pressure supply structure includes a hydraulic tube 33 connected to the tail end of the pressurizing tube 32. The head end of the pressurizing tube 32 is slidably connected with a piston column 31. The end of the piston column 31 located outside the pressurizing tube 32 extends circumferentially to form a pressurizing piece 3. Each hydraulic tube 33 is connected to a hydraulic oil tank through a hydraulic pump. Forty-nine hydraulic pumps are controlled by the same array-type pressurizing control device 4. The array-type pressurizing control device 4 includes a single-chip microcomputer and an air switch array. The air switch array includes air switches connected to each hydraulic pump, and the single-chip microcomputer controls each air switch by outputting signals.

[0023] Both the ultrasonic transducers 2 and the pressurizing pieces 3 are immersed in the ultrasonic coupling agent in the bladder 1.

[0024] Example 2. In this example, as shown in Figure 4 the figure, a lifting support frame is provided at the bottom end of the bladder 1. The lifting support frame includes telescopic rods bonded to the four corners of the bottom end of the bladder 1. The telescopic rods include a sleeve 8 located below. A plurality of card holes are vertically formed in the sleeve 8. An inner tube 9 is inserted into the sleeve 8. A through hole is provided in the inner tube 9, and a plug is inserted through the through hole. A U-shaped spring is provided inside the inner tube 9. One end of the U-shaped spring is welded to the inner wall of the inner tube 9, and the other end is welded and fixed to the plug. A bottom rod 10 is connected between the bottom ends of the two telescopic rods on the left side of the bladder 1, and a bottom rod 10 is also connected between the bottom ends of the two telescopic rods on the right side of the bladder 1.

[0025] The specific implementation process is as follows: The phased array control unit 5 and the array pressurization control device 4 are both connected to the computer host 6 through wires, and the computer host 6 is also connected to a display 7. The size of the bladder 1 is larger than the area of an adult's face. When in use, the person to be measured lies flat, and the bladder 1 is laid flat and covered on the face of the person to be measured. The side of the bladder 1 without the ultrasonic transducer 2 is attached to the face. In order to ensure the smooth breathing of the person to be measured, an oxygen mask is worn for the person to be measured. A signal is sent from the computer host 6 to the single-chip microcomputer of the array pressurization control device 4, and the single-chip microcomputer controls the air switch array to precisely control the operation of each hydraulic pump. The hydraulic pump pumps the liquid in the hydraulic oil tank through the hydraulic pipe 33 under pressure to the pressure pipe 32, and the piston column 31 in the pressure pipe 32 is pushed by the pressurized liquid to move out of the pressure pipe 32, so that the pressure piece 3 presses downward on the face, and forty-nine pressure pieces 3 apply pressure to different positions on the face.

[0026] The computer host 6 outputs a signal to the phased array control unit 5. The phased array control unit 5 includes a control box (such as the SIMATIC G120 type purchased on the market), as Figure 2 shown. A signal generator (such as the SIN-C703 type purchased on the market), a radio frequency amplifier (such as the SBB5089 type purchased on the market), and a matching box (such as the HBP-A type purchased on the market) are connected between the ultrasonic emission sheet of each ultrasonic transducer 2 (such as the YTPD198R190-4.0 type purchased on the market) and the control box. The operation of each signal generator, radio frequency amplifier, and matching box is precisely controlled through the control box, so that the ultrasonic emission sheet outputs ultrasonic waves to perform ultrasonic detection on the face after being pressed by the pressure piece 3. The ultrasonic waves returned from the face are received by the ultrasonic receiving sheet of the ultrasonic transducer 2. The ultrasonic receiving sheet converts the received ultrasonic wave signal into an electrical signal, which is subjected to radio frequency amplification processing, filtering processing, and post-processing in the computer host 6 and then output to the display 7, presenting an image map with grayscale display and an elastic modulus map with color display. Different elastic modulus values are classified, and different color values such as red, yellow, blue, and green represent different elastic modulus ranges, and then a color elastic modulus map is presented on the display 7.

[0027] In the present invention, the entire face is wrapped in the form of a mask by a flexible bladder 1, and the entire face is subdivided into a phased array form by an ultrasonic transducer 2 and a pressurizing unit distributed in a matrix. The ultrasonic transducers 2 and the pressurizing sheets 3 are placed crosswise. After the bladder 1 is fixed to the face, the spatial position of the face is fixed, achieving precise fixation of the facial area. At this time, different pressurizing sheets 3 are pressurized to form different pressure values. Under pressure, the facial skin deforms, and by testing the deformation and change in elastic modulus of facial skin at different parts under different pressures, the elastic modulus values of skin in different regions can be accurately obtained, and thus the elasticity of the facial skin can be accurately measured. Then, the measured elastic moduli are classified by region, and different elastic moduli are distinguished by different colors, so that an elasticity value image of the face can be displayed on the display screen. By referring to the elastic modulus of normal people's age for the displayed elastic modulus image, it can be determined whether the facial elasticity index of the patient is normal. By establishing an elastic distribution map of the entire face, the elasticity of different tissues can be effectively distinguished, and then targeted treatment can be carried out, which has a good guiding effect on the treatment of facial muscle diseases such as dermatological beauty and facial paralysis, providing an accurate reference for subsequent dermatological treatment. This design innovatively combines ultrasonic elastic modulus measurement with subsequent elastic image display, which can be used as a new measurement method in dermatology.

[0028] Through the technical solution of the present invention, it is also possible to conduct follow-up tests on patients of different ages, that is, not only can the current facial elasticity data of the patient be obtained, but also the facial elasticity data of the patient at different ages can be tracked, and the dynamic data of the change in the patient's facial elasticity can be evaluated. Furthermore, the facial elasticity of the patient can be effectively improved through targeted treatment or physiotherapy methods.

[0029] The ultrasonic elastic modulus test method is often used to measure solid organs in the body. However, due to the relatively shallow bones in the face and the easy reflection of ultrasonic waves, there are errors when using ultrasonic gray-scale imaging. However, by using ultrasonic elastic modulus measurement, it is relatively easy to obtain elastic modulus data. By distinguishing the elastic modulus data with different colors, it can be converted into a color distribution map of the elastic modulus region, and the situation of the face can be displayed through colors. Overlapping display with the imaging gray-scale image is more intuitive than the existing gray-scale image display, and can more intuitively display the facial skin elasticity data, making it understandable for patients without a medical knowledge background and facilitating smoother doctor-patient communication.

[0030] The above are only embodiments of the present invention, and common general technical solutions and / or characteristics in the solutions are not described in detail herein. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, without departing from the technical solution of the present invention, several deformations and improvements can be made, which should also be regarded as the protection scope of the present invention, and these will not affect the implementation effect of the present invention and the practicality of the patent. The protection scope claimed in this application shall be subject to the content of its claims, and the specific implementation manners and the like recorded in the specification can be used to interpret the content of the claims.

Claims

1. A facial elastic modulus testing device, characterized in that: It includes a flexible carrier for attaching to the face. A number of ultrasonic transducers and pressurizing units distributed in a matrix are installed on the carrier. The ultrasonic transducers and the pressurizing units are cross-distributed. The ultrasonic transducers are connected to a phased array control unit, and the pressurizing units are connected to an array control device. Both the phased array control unit and the array control device are connected to a computer host, and the computer host is connected to a display; The pressurizing unit includes a pressurizing tube. A piston rod is arranged in the pressurizing tube. The end of the piston rod extending out of the pressurizing tube extends circumferentially to form a pressurizing sheet. The pressurizing tube is connected to a hydraulic pump through a hydraulic tube; The ultrasonic transducers and the pressurizing units divide the face into a phased array form. The face is pressurized by the pressurizing units. The operation of the pressurizing units is controlled by the computer host and the array control device. Under the pressure, the facial skin deforms. Ultrasonic waves are applied through the ultrasonic transducers to test the deformation and elastic modulus of the facial skin, and the elastic modulus values of the facial skin in different regions are obtained. The phased array control unit controls the operation of the ultrasonic transducers and, after the measured elastic modulus is processed by the computer host, differentiates it with different colors on the display, showing the elastic value image of the face.

2. The facial elastic modulus testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The carrier is a rectangular pouch filled with a liquid ultrasonic coupling agent.

3. The facial elastic modulus testing device according to claim 2, wherein: Each ultrasonic transducer includes an ultrasonic transmitting sheet and an ultrasonic receiving sheet arranged side by side, and the ultrasonic transmitting sheet and the ultrasonic receiving sheet are flatly attached to the pouch.

4. The facial elastic modulus testing device according to claim 1, wherein: The ultrasonic transducers and the pressurizing sheets are located inside the pouch.

5. The facial elastic modulus testing device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The ultrasonic transducers and the pressurizing sheets are immersed in the liquid ultrasonic coupling agent in the pouch.

6. The facial elastic modulus testing device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The ultrasonic transducers and the pressurizing units are connected to the upper inner wall of the pouch.

7. The facial elastic modulus testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The carrier is connected to a lifting mechanism. The lifting mechanism includes two parallel lifting frames. Each lifting frame includes two parallel telescopic rods, and the top ends of the telescopic rods are connected to the carrier.

8. The facial elastic modulus testing device according to claim 7, wherein: A support rod is connected between the bottom ends of the two telescopic rods of the lifting frame.

9. The facial elastic modulus testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The thickness of the carrier is 1-2 mm.

Images