A method for testing facial elastic modulus

Abstract

The present invention relates to the technical field of human skin mechanical property testing, and discloses a facial elastic modulus testing method, which includes using a flexible carrier to carry ultrasonic transducers and pressurizing units distributed in a matrix; covering the flexible carrier on the face of the person to be tested so that the flexible carrier fits the facial contour of the person to be tested; using the pressurizing units and ultrasonic transducers distributed in a matrix to apply pressure to different regions of the face of the person to be tested to cause deformation and changes in elastic modulus, and performing ultrasonic detection on the deformation and changes in elastic modulus of different regions of the face of the person to be tested; using a computer to classify the changes in elastic modulus detected by the ultrasonic transducers with different color values, and then displaying the facial elastic modulus map of the person to be tested on a display screen with different colors. 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 method for testing facial elastic modulus. 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 paid more and more attention. In this multi-disciplinary research, the research on the mechanical properties of human facial skin undoubtedly has a fundamental and key position. 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 elastic modulus. Existing tests for the elastic modulus of facial skin and muscles are more based on experience, such as looking with the eyes, touching with the hands, or post-processing pictures taken by a camera. The above test methods cannot be quantified. It is precisely because the measurement method lacks a quantification means that when performing massage or other energy stimulation on 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 the changes in fine areas and it is difficult to achieve fine adjustment. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention aims to provide a method for testing facial elastic modulus 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 method for testing facial elastic modulus, comprising the following steps,

[0005] A. Clean and degrease the face of the person to be tested;

[0006] B. Prepare a facial elastic modulus testing device, including using a flexible carrier to carry ultrasonic transducers and a pressurizing unit distributed in a matrix;

[0007] C. Cover the flexible carrier on the face of the person to be tested so that the flexible carrier fits the facial contour of the person to be tested;

[0008] D. Use the pressurizing unit distributed in a matrix to apply pressure to different areas of the face of the person to be tested to cause deformation and change in elastic modulus; use the ultrasonic transducers distributed in a matrix to perform ultrasonic detection on the deformation and change in elastic modulus of different areas of the face of the person to be tested;

[0009] E. Classify the changes in elastic modulus detected by the ultrasonic transducer with different color values using a computer, and then display the facial elastic modulus map of the person to be tested on the display screen with different colors.

[0010] The principle and advantages of this solution are as follows: In practical applications, in order to ensure the ultrasonic penetration effect, first clean the face of the person to be tested, and then use the carrier to support the ultrasonic transducer matrix and the pressure application unit matrix to form a flexible whole. The whole wraps the entire face in the form of a mask. The ultrasonic transducers and pressure application units distributed in the matrix divide the face into a phased array form. The face is pressurized through the pressure application unit, and the operation of the pressure application unit is controlled by the 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 can be accurately obtained. The phased array control unit controls the operation of the ultrasonic transducers and differentiates the measured elastic modulus on the display through the host in different colors to display the elastic value image of the face. Through the carrier, the ultrasonic transducer matrix, and the pressure application unit matrix, the face is effectively divided into several regions, and the elasticity of different region tissues is effectively differentiated, establishing a fine elastic distribution map of the entire face, which is conducive to targeted facial stimulation and provides good guidance for dermatological beauty, facial paralysis, and facial postoperative recovery.

[0011] Preferably, as an improvement, in step B, a rectangular bladder is used as the flexible carrier, and the bladder is filled with ultrasonic coupling agent. In this way, the bladder can fit more closely to the facial contour, ensure the ultrasonic penetration effect, and make the pressure application and ultrasonic detection on the face more accurate.

[0012] Preferably, as an improvement, in step B, the ultrasonic transducers and the pressure application units are installed on the inner side of the upper wall of the bladder, so that the ultrasonic transducers and the pressure application units are immersed in the ultrasonic coupling agent. In this way, the ultrasonic transducers and the pressure application sheets can be isolated and protected by the bladder, avoiding damage caused by frequent contact with the outside world, and it is more conducive to ensuring the pressure application and ultrasonic detection accuracy on the face. The ultrasonic detection on the face is more stable, accurate, and reliable, and the service life of the ultrasonic transducers and the pressure application sheets is longer.

[0013] Preferably, as an improvement, in step B, the pressure application units are arranged at the cross points of the ultrasonic transducer matrix. In this way, the pressure application on the face and the detection of the elastic modulus of the face are more accurate and comprehensive, and the elastic modulus test of each part of the face can be ensured to be accurate and reliable.

[0014] Preferably, as an improvement, in step B, the pressurizing unit adopts a pressurizing tube, a piston column is arranged inside the pressurizing tube, the piston column extends out of the pressurizing tube and extends horizontally into a pressurizing piece, a hydraulic pump is connected to the other end of the pressurizing tube, and the hydraulic pumps connected to the pressurizing units distributed in a matrix are controlled by an array pressurizing control device, and the array pressurizing control device is connected to the computer host. In this way, the pressurizing unit of the hydraulic piston structure can be controlled by the computer and the array pressurizing control device, and the pressure on the face can be automatically and accurately controlled.

[0015] Preferably, as an improvement, in step B, the ultrasonic transducer adopts a juxtaposed ultrasonic transmitting piece and an ultrasonic receiving piece, and the ultrasonic transducers distributed in a matrix are controlled by a phased array control unit, and the phased array control unit is connected to the computer host. In this way, each ultrasonic transducer can combine the emission and reception of ultrasonic waves, and can emit and receive ultrasonic waves at different time sequences. The flat attachment method is beneficial to ensuring the comprehensive coverage of ultrasonic waves on the face.

[0016] Preferably, as an improvement, in step D, the computer host outputs a signal to the array pressurizing control device, and the array pressurizing control device controls the on / off of each hydraulic pump through a single-chip microcomputer, so that different hydraulic pumps pump hydraulic oil into the pressurizing tube to push the piston column and the pressurizing piece to press different areas of the face of the person to be tested. In this way, the control of the pressurizing unit is more accurate, and each pressurizing piece can be pressed to different parts in sequence.

[0017] Preferably, as an improvement, in step D, the phased array control unit controls the ultrasonic transmitting pieces of different ultrasonic transducers to output ultrasonic waves in different areas of the face of the person to be tested, and the ultrasonic receiving pieces receive the ultrasonic waves returned from the face after being pressed. In this way, by detecting the deformation and change of elastic modulus in different areas of the face through the cooperation of ultrasonic waves and the pressure of the pressurizing piece on the face, the elastic modulus of the face of the person to be tested can be accurately and reliably reflected.

[0018] Preferably, as an improvement, in step E, the ultrasonic receiving piece converts the received ultrasonic wave signal into an electrical signal and outputs it to the computer, and the computer classifies different elastic modulus values, represents different elastic modulus ranges with different color values, and then displays the facial elastic modulus map of the person to be tested in different colors on the display screen. In this way, different elastic moduli can be distinguished by different colors, and the facial elastic modulus can be graphically represented, and then the facial elastic data can be more intuitively displayed.

[0019] Preferably, as an improvement, in step C, a ventilator is used to supply oxygen to the nasal cavity of the person to be tested. During the inspection process, the entire face will be pressed by the airbag, and oxygen is supplied to the nasal cavity through the ventilator, so that the person to be tested can breathe normally and ensure the smooth progress of the detection. Description of the Drawings

[0020] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 It is a flowchart of ultrasonic detection in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the pressure supply structure of the pressurizing unit in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 4 It is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Detailed implementation manners

[0024] The following is a further detailed description through specific implementation manners:

[0025] The reference numerals in the accompanying drawings of the specification include: pouch 1, ultrasonic transducer 2, pressure plate 3, piston column 31, pressure pipe 32, hydraulic pipe 33, array type pressure control device 4, phased array control unit 5, computer host 6, display 7, sleeve 8, inner tube 9, bottom rod 10.

[0026] Example 1, a method for testing the facial elastic modulus. Prepare a flexible sheet-shaped rectangular pouch as a carrier. The thickness of the pouch is 1-2 mm, and the pouch is filled with liquid ultrasonic coupling agent. Sixty-four rectangular sheet-shaped ultrasonic transducers (such as the commercially available YTPD198R190-4.0 type) are installed on the inner surface of the upper wall of the pouch in an 8*8 matrix distribution. Each ultrasonic transducer includes an ultrasonic transmitting sheet and an ultrasonic receiving sheet arranged side by side. The ultrasonic transducers are immersed in the ultrasonic coupling agent. Each ultrasonic transmitting sheet is connected to a signal generator (such as the commercially available SIN-C703 type), a radio frequency amplifier (such as the commercially available SBB5089 type), and a matching box (such as the commercially available HBP-A type). The signal generators connected to the sixty-four ultrasonic transmitting sheets are all connected to the same control box. Each ultrasonic receiving sheet is connected to a radio frequency amplifier and a filter (such as the commercially available CW4L2-10A-S(005) type). The signal generators, radio frequency amplifiers, matching boxes, and filters connected to the sixty-four ultrasonic receiving sheets form a phased array control unit and are connected to the same control box and computer host. The computer host is connected to a display screen. Forty-nine pressurizing units are installed in the middle of the ultrasonic transducer matrix in a 7*7 matrix distribution. The pressurizing units are located at the cross points of the ultrasonic transducer distribution matrix. The pressurizing unit includes a pressurizing tube fixed to the upper wall of the pouch. The head end of the pressurizing tube is located inside the pouch and is slidably connected to a piston column. The piston column extends out of the pressurizing tube and extends circumferentially to form a circular pressurizing sheet. The pressurizing tube is connected to a pressure supply structure. The pressure supply structure includes a hydraulic tube connected to the tail end of the pressurizing tube, and is connected to a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic oil tank through the hydraulic tube. The pressurizing sheet is immersed in the ultrasonic coupling agent. Each hydraulic pump is connected to an air switch. The forty-nine air switches are controlled by a single-chip microcomputer to form an array-type pressurizing control device. The single-chip microcomputer is connected to the computer host.

[0027] Put on a ventilator oxygen supply mask for the face of the person to be tested, and clean and degrease the face. Then lay the pouch flat on the face of the person to be tested, and the lower wall of the pouch adheres to the face of the person to be tested to completely cover the facial contour. The computer host outputs a signal to the array-type pressurizing control device. The array-type pressurizing control device precisely controls the operation of each hydraulic pump through the single-chip microcomputer and the air switch array. The hydraulic pump pumps the hydraulic oil in the hydraulic oil tank to the pressurizing tube through the hydraulic tube, pushing the piston column in the pressurizing tube, so that each pressurizing sheet applies pressure to different areas of the covered face respectively, causing deformation and change in elastic modulus in different parts of the person to be tested.

[0028] The signal generators, RF amplifiers, and matching boxes connected to each ultrasonic emission sheet are controlled by a control box, enabling the ultrasonic emission sheet to output ultrasonic waves to the covered facial area. The ultrasonic waves return from the facial area pressed by the pressing sheet and are received by the ultrasonic receiving sheet. The ultrasonic receiving sheet converts the received ultrasonic wave signals into electrical signals, which are functions of amplitude, frequency, phase, and initial values. After RF amplification and filtering processing, the signals are output to the computer host. The computer host performs post-processing on the received electrical signals, classifies different elastic modulus values after processing the electrical signals, and uses different color values such as red, yellow, blue, and green to represent different elastic modulus ranges, displaying the elastic modulus map and grayscale image of different regions of the face on the display screen.

[0029] Embodiment 2: In this embodiment, a lifting mechanism is installed at the edge of the pouch. The lifting mechanism includes telescopic rods adhered to the four corners of the bottom end of the pouch. Each telescopic rod includes a sleeve located below, with a plurality of card holes vertically formed on the sleeve. An inner tube is inserted into the sleeve. A through hole is provided on the inner tube, and a plug is inserted through the through hole. A U-shaped spring is provided inside the inner tube. One end of the U-shaped spring is welded to the inner wall of the inner tube, and the other end is welded and fixed to the plug. A bottom rod is connected between the bottom ends of the two telescopic rods on the left side of the pouch, and a bottom rod is also connected between the bottom ends of the two telescopic rods on the right side of the pouch. When performing facial elastic modulus testing, the person to be tested lies down, and the pouch is supported above the face of the person to be tested through the lifting mechanism. The height of the pouch is adjusted through the telescopic rods so that the pouch lies flat and covers the face of the person to be tested.

[0030] The present invention wraps the entire face in the form of a mask with a flexible pouch, and divides the entire face into a phased array form through ultrasonic transducers and pressing units distributed in a matrix. The ultrasonic transducers and pressing sheets are placed crosswise. After fixing the pouch to the face, the spatial position of the face is fixed, achieving precise fixation of the facial area. At this time, different pressing sheets are pressed to form different pressure values. Under pressure, the facial skin deforms, and the deformation and change in elastic modulus of different parts of the facial skin under different pressures are tested, enabling the accurate obtaining of the elastic modulus values of different regions of the skin, and further accurately measuring the elasticity of the facial skin. Then, the measured elastic modulus is classified by region, and different elastic moduli are distinguished by different colors, so that the elastic 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 is possible to determine 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 and subsequent elastic image display, and can be used as a new measurement method in dermatology.

[0031] Through the technical solution of the present invention, it is also possible to conduct tracking tests on patients of different ages, that is, it is possible to obtain the current facial elasticity data of the patient, and also to track the facial elasticity data of the patient at different ages, evaluate the dynamic data of the change in the patient's facial elasticity, and then effectively improve the patient's facial elasticity through targeted treatment or physiotherapy methods.

[0032] 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 easily errors in using ultrasonic gray-scale imaging. However, by using the elastic modulus measurement of ultrasonic waves, it is relatively easy to obtain the 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. The facial condition can be displayed through the color and overlapped with the gray-scale image. It is more intuitive than the existing single gray-scale image display, can more intuitively display the facial skin elasticity data, and can be understood by patients without a medical knowledge background, making the doctor-patient communication smoother.

[0033] The above are only embodiments of the present invention. Specific technical solutions and / or common knowledge such as characteristics well known in the art 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 still 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 required by this application should be based on the content of its claims, and the specific implementation manners described in the specification can be used to interpret the content of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for testing the facial elastic modulus, characterized in that: It includes the following steps: A. Clean and degrease the face of the person to be tested; B. Prepare a facial elastic modulus testing device, including using a flexible carrier to carry ultrasonic transducers and a pressurizing unit distributed in a matrix; the pressurizing unit uses a pressurizing tube, a piston column is placed inside the pressurizing tube, the piston column extends out of the pressurizing tube and extends horizontally into a pressurizing piece, a hydraulic pump is connected to the other end of the pressurizing tube, and the hydraulic pumps connected to the pressurizing units distributed in a matrix are controlled by an array pressurizing control device, and the array pressurizing control device is connected to a computer host; C. Cover the flexible carrier on the face of the person to be tested so that the flexible carrier fits the facial contour of the person to be tested; D. Apply pressure to different areas of the face of the person to be tested with the pressurizing units distributed in a matrix to cause deformation and change in elastic modulus; use the ultrasonic transducers distributed in a matrix to ultrasonically detect the deformation and change in elastic modulus of different areas of the face of the person to be tested; The computer host outputs a signal to the array pressurizing control device, and the array pressurizing control device controls the on / off of each hydraulic pump through a single-chip microcomputer, so that different hydraulic pumps pump hydraulic oil into the pressurizing tube to push the piston column and the pressurizing piece to apply pressure to different areas of the face of the person to be tested; E. Classify the changes in elastic modulus detected by the ultrasonic transducers by the computer with different color values, and then display the facial elastic modulus map of the person to be tested on the display screen in different colors.

2. The facial elastic modulus testing method according to claim 1, wherein: In step B, a rectangular bladder is used as the flexible carrier, and the bladder is filled with ultrasonic coupling agent.

3. A method for testing the facial elastic modulus according to claim 2, characterized in that: In step B, the ultrasonic transducers and the pressurizing unit are installed on the inner side of the upper wall of the bladder, so that the ultrasonic transducers and the pressurizing unit are immersed in the ultrasonic coupling agent.

4. A method for testing the facial elastic modulus according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step B, the pressurizing unit is arranged at the cross points of the ultrasonic transducer matrix.

5. A method for testing the facial elastic modulus according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step B, the ultrasonic transducers use side-by-side ultrasonic transmitting sheets and ultrasonic receiving sheets, and the ultrasonic transducers distributed in a matrix are controlled by a phased array control unit, and the phased array control unit is connected to the computer host.

6. The method for testing the facial elastic modulus according to claim 5, characterized in that: In step D, the phased array control unit controls the ultrasonic transmitting sheets of different ultrasonic transducers to output ultrasonic waves in different areas of the face of the person to be tested, and the ultrasonic receiving sheets receive the ultrasonic waves returned from the compressed face.

7. A method for testing the facial elastic modulus according to claim 6, characterized in that: In step E, the ultrasonic receiving sheets convert the received ultrasonic wave signals into electrical signals and output them to the computer, and the computer classifies different elastic modulus values, uses different color values to represent different elastic modulus ranges, and then displays the facial elastic modulus map of the person to be tested on the display screen in different colors.

8. A method for testing the facial elastic modulus according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step C, a ventilator is used to supply oxygen to the nasal cavity of the person to be tested.

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