Swelling evaluation system, program, and method

Abstract

The present invention quantitatively evaluates facial swelling. A swelling evaluation system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires a gravitational protrusion amount and a gravitational recess amount which are obtained from a change in three-dimensional shape between three-dimensional facial images of the subject in a horizontal orientation and a vertical orientation; and a calculation unit that calculates the amount of facial swelling from the gravitational protrusion amount and the gravitational recess amount.

Description

Swelling evaluation system, program, and method

[0001] The present invention relates to a swelling evaluation system, a program, and a method.

[0002] It has been known that facial swelling can give the impression of a large, puffy face, and massages and the like are known to alleviate facial swelling (Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-119157

[0004] However, the assessment of whether a face is swollen or not is based on individual perception, and it has not been possible to quantitatively assess the degree of facial swelling in the past.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to quantitatively evaluate facial swelling.

[0006] A swelling evaluation system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises an acquisition unit that acquires gravitational bulge and gravitational depression amounts obtained from the three-dimensional shape change between three-dimensional facial images of a subject in horizontal and vertical positions, and a calculation unit that calculates the amount of facial swelling from the gravitational bulge and gravitational depression amounts.

[0007] According to the present invention, facial swelling can be quantitatively evaluated.

[0008] 1 is a configuration diagram of a swelling evaluation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a swelling evaluation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a swelling evaluation process according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining gravitational bulge according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining gravitational depression according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining intra-facial movement sagging according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining facial swelling according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a series of events of a subject according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining indentations on the face of a subject according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an image (entire) representing a two-dimensional shape of a subject's face according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is an image (front view) representing a two-dimensional shape of a subject's face according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is an image (front view) representing a three-dimensional shape of a subject's face according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining facial swelling according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining facial swelling according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining facial swelling according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is an image showing facial swelling of a plurality of subjects according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the contents of a sensory evaluation of facial swelling according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram showing the correlation between the amount of facial swelling and sensory evaluation according to one embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a diagram showing the correlation between the amount of improvement in the amount of facial swelling and visual assessment according to one embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a swelling evaluation device and an analysis terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] <Explanation of terms> - "3D shape face image" refers to data that represents the 3D shape of the face of a person who is the subject of a facial swelling assessment. - "Horizontal position" refers to a state in which the midline of the face is held still at a right angle to the direction of gravity. - "Vertical position" refers to a state in which the midline of the face is held still parallel to the direction of gravity. - "Swelling" refers to a state in which fluid accumulates in the body and causes swelling. Specifically, "swelling" refers to a state in which fluid in the blood leaks out of the blood vessels due to some cause, resulting in abnormal fluid accumulation in the skin or subcutaneous tissue.

[0011] <Overall Configuration> Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram of a swelling evaluation system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The swelling evaluation system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a swelling evaluation device 10, an imaging terminal 20, and an analysis terminal 30. The swelling evaluation device 10 and the analysis terminal 30 can transmit and receive data via any network. Each of these components will be described below.

[0012] The imaging terminal 20 is a terminal that generates data (three-dimensional shape face images) that represent the three-dimensional shape of the face of a person (subject 40) who is the subject of swelling evaluation. For example, the imaging terminal 20 is a measuring device that captures 3D (three-dimensional) images. Specifically, the imaging terminal 20 generates three-dimensional shape face images when the face of the person who is the subject of swelling evaluation is in a horizontal position (specifically, when the midline of the face is held still at a right angle to the direction of gravity) and when the face is in a vertical position (specifically, when the midline of the face is held still parallel to the direction of gravity).

[0013] The analysis terminal 30 is a computer (for example, a personal computer, tablet, smartphone, etc.) for calculating information used in evaluating swelling based on the three-dimensional facial image generated by the imaging terminal 20. Specifically, the analysis terminal 30 calculates the amount of gravitational swelling (VCswelling) and the amount of gravitational depression (VCshrinking) based on the change in three-dimensional shape between the three-dimensional facial image when the face of the person who is the subject of swelling evaluation is in a horizontal position and the three-dimensional facial image when the face is in a vertical position.

[0014] The swelling evaluation device 10 is a computer (e.g., a server) for evaluating facial swelling. Specifically, the swelling evaluation device 10 calculates the amount of facial swelling (Sc) based on the amount of gravitational swelling (VCswelling) and the amount of gravitational depression (VCshrinking).

[0015] Although the swelling-evaluating device 10 and the analysis terminal 30 are described as separate computers in FIG. 1, they may be implemented as a single computer.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the results of the swelling evaluation can be used by beauty consultants and the like to select cosmetics, beauty-related services, etc. to recommend to customers, or to research or develop cosmetics, beauty-related services, etc.

[0017] <Functional Configuration> FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the swelling evaluation system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] <<Imaging Terminal>> For example, the imaging terminal 20 includes a three-dimensional face image generating unit 201. For example, the imaging terminal 20 functions as the three-dimensional face image generating unit 201 by executing a program.

[0019] The three-dimensional face image generating unit 201 generates three-dimensional face images when the face of the person to be evaluated for swelling is in a horizontal position and when it is in a vertical position. The three-dimensional face image generating unit 201 also transmits the generated three-dimensional face images to the analysis terminal 30.

[0020] <<Analysis Terminal>> For example, the analysis terminal 30 includes a three-dimensional shape information calculation unit 301. For example, the analysis terminal 30 functions as the three-dimensional shape information calculation unit 301 by executing a program.

[0021] The three-dimensional shape information calculation unit 301 acquires the three-dimensional face image generated by the imaging terminal 20. The three-dimensional shape information calculation unit 301 also calculates a gravitational swelling amount (VCswelling) and a gravitational depression amount (VCshrinking) based on the change in three-dimensional shape between the three-dimensional face image when the face of the person being evaluated for swelling is in a horizontal position and the three-dimensional face image when the face is in a vertical position. The three-dimensional shape information calculation unit 301 also transmits the calculated gravitational swelling amount (VCswelling) and gravitational depression amount (VCshrinking) to the swelling evaluation device 10. Below, the calculation method of the gravitational swelling amount (VCswelling) and the calculation method of the gravitational depression amount (VCshrinking) are described in detail.

[0022] <<Calculation of Gravitational Swelling (VCswelling)>> The three-dimensional shape information calculation unit 301 compares the three-dimensional shape when in the horizontal position with the three-dimensional shape when in the vertical position, and determines the difference in volume between the two (i.e., horizontal and vertical positions) of the parts that have a larger volume when in the vertical position (explained with reference to Figure 4) as the gravitational swelling (VCswelling).

[0023] <<Calculation of Gravitational Collapse (VCshrinking)>> The three-dimensional shape information calculation unit 301 compares the three-dimensional shape when in the horizontal position with the three-dimensional shape when in the vertical position, and determines the difference in volume between the two (i.e., horizontal and vertical positions) of the parts that have a smaller volume when in the vertical position (described with reference to Figure 5) as the gravity collapse (VCshrinking).

[0024] <<Swelling Evaluation Device>> For example, the swelling evaluation device 10 includes a three-dimensional shape information acquisition unit 101, a swelling amount calculation unit 102, and a swelling amount output unit 103. For example, by executing a program, the swelling evaluation device 10 can function as the three-dimensional shape information acquisition unit 101, the swelling amount calculation unit 102, and the swelling amount output unit 103. Each of these will be described below.

[0025] The three-dimensional shape information acquisition unit (also referred to as an acquisition unit) 101 acquires the gravitational swelling amount (VCswelling) and the gravitational depression amount (VCshrinking) calculated by the analysis terminal 30. The three-dimensional shape information acquisition unit 101 also stores the acquired gravitational swelling amount (VCswelling) and gravitational depression amount (VCshrinking) in memory so that the swelling amount calculation unit 102 can refer to them.

[0026] The swelling amount calculation unit (also referred to as a calculation unit) 102 calculates the facial swelling amount (Sc) from the gravitational swelling amount (VCswelling) and the gravitational depression amount (VCshrinking). The swelling amount calculation unit 102 also stores the calculated facial swelling amount (Sc) in memory so that it can be referenced by the swelling amount output unit 103. A method for calculating the facial swelling amount (Sc) will be described in detail below.

[0027] <<Calculation of Facial Swelling Amount (Sc)>> The swelling amount calculation unit 102 calculates the facial swelling amount (Sc) using the following equation (1).

[0028]

[0029] (Note that Sc = facial swelling, VCswelling = gravitational swelling, and VCshrinking = gravitational depression.)

[0030] In addition, the three-dimensional shape face image generation unit 201 may repeatedly generate three-dimensional shape face images in horizontal and vertical positions of the person who is the subject of swelling evaluation (for example, by measuring the three-dimensional shape of the face multiple times a day), and use at least one of the gravitational swelling amount (VCswelling), the gravitational depression amount (VCshrinking), and the facial swelling amount (Sc) as a representative value of the values ​​calculated using the three-dimensional shape face images repeatedly generated.

[0031] In addition, the three-dimensional shape face image generation unit 201 may repeatedly generate three-dimensional shape face images in horizontal and vertical positions of the person who is the subject of swelling evaluation (for example, measuring the three-dimensional shape of the face multiple times a day), calculate the gravitational swelling amount (VCswelling) and the gravitational depression amount (VCshrinking) from the three-dimensional shape change between the three-dimensional shape face images for each of the repeatedly generated three-dimensional shape face images, and calculate the representative value of the facial swelling amount (Sc) calculated from each gravitational swelling amount (VCswelling) and gravitational depression amount (VCshrinking) as the facial swelling amount (Sc).

[0032] The swelling amount output unit (also referred to as an output unit) 103 outputs the value of the facial swelling amount (Sc). For example, the swelling amount output unit 103 may transmit the value of the facial swelling amount (Sc) to the analysis terminal 30, or may display the value of the facial swelling amount (Sc) on the display means of the swelling evaluation device 10.

[0033] <Method> FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a swelling evaluation process according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] In step 1 (S1), the three-dimensional shape information acquisition unit 101 acquires the gravitational swelling amount (VCswelling) and the gravitational shrinking amount (VCshrinking) obtained from the three-dimensional shape change between the horizontal and vertical three-dimensional shape face images of the subject (i.e., the person whose swelling is being evaluated).

[0035] In step 2 (S2), the swelling amount calculation unit 102 calculates the facial swelling amount (Sc) from the gravitational swelling amount (VCswelling) and the gravitational depression amount (VCshrinking) acquired in S1.

[0036] In step 3 (S3), the swelling amount output unit 103 outputs the value of the facial swelling amount (Sc) calculated in S2.

[0037] <<Gravity Bulge and Gravity Depression>> Below, with reference to Figures 4 and 5, we will explain facial parts whose volume changes when a person's face is in a horizontal position (i.e., a state in which the midline of the face is stationary and perpendicular to the direction of gravity) and when the person's face is in a vertical position (i.e., a state in which the midline of the face is stationary and parallel to the direction of gravity). As shown below, the change in volume was calculated using data (three-dimensional shape face image) representing the three-dimensional shape of the person's face that was the subject of swelling evaluation.

[0038] <<Gravity Swelling>> Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating gravity swell according to one embodiment of the present invention. A three-dimensional facial image of a subject's face when it is in a horizontal position and a three-dimensional facial image of the subject when it is in a vertical position were acquired, and the three-dimensional shapes in the horizontal position and the vertical position were compared. The area enclosed by the dashed line in Figure 4 had a larger volume in the vertical position. The difference in volume between the two areas (i.e., the horizontal and vertical positions) for the area with a larger volume in the vertical position is defined as the gravity swell (VCswelling).

[0039] <<Gravity Depression>> Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating gravity depression according to one embodiment of the present invention. A three-dimensional facial image of a subject's face when it is in a horizontal position and a three-dimensional facial image of the subject's face when it is in a vertical position were acquired, and the three-dimensional shapes in the horizontal position and the vertical position were compared. The region enclosed by the dashed line in Figure 5 had a smaller volume in the vertical position. The difference in volume between the two regions (i.e., the horizontal and vertical positions) for the region with a smaller volume in the vertical position is defined as the amount of gravity depression (VCshrinking).

[0040] <<Calculation of Facial Swelling Amount>> Using the gravitational bulge (VCswelling) in Fig. 4 and the gravitational depression (VCshrinking) in Fig. 5, the "intra-facial shift sagging amount (Sf (sagging from the upper to lower cheek))" and "facial swelling amount (Sc)" could be calculated using the following formula (2). When the gravitational depression (VCshrinking) is on the x-axis and the gravitational bulge (VCswelling) is on the y-axis, the following formula (2) indicates that the "intra-facial shift sagging amount (Sf)" and "facial swelling amount (Sc)" can be quantified by converting the coordinates by 45 degrees counterclockwise.

[0041]

[0042] (Note that Sf = amount of intra-facial sagging, Sc = amount of facial swelling, VCshrinking = amount of gravitational depression, VCswelling = amount of gravitational swelling, and θ = π / 4.)

[0043] From the above formula (2), formula (1) for calculating the amount of facial swelling (Sc) can be derived.

[0044]

[0045] (Note that Sc = facial swelling, VCswelling = gravitational swelling, and VCshrinking = gravitational depression.)

[0046] Hereinafter, intra-facial sagging and facial swelling will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG.

[0047] 6 is a diagram for explaining intra-facial moving sagging according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 6, intra-facial moving sagging is sagging that hangs down from the upper cheek to the lower cheek.

[0048] 7 is a diagram for explaining facial swelling according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the facial swelling is swelling around the cheeks and in the lower part of the face.

[0049] Furthermore, facial sagging was correlated with age. On the other hand, facial swelling was not correlated with age, suggesting that facial swelling is caused by individual differences unrelated to age.

[0050] The phenomenon in which it was discovered that Sc indicates the amount of facial swelling will now be described.

[0051] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a series of events of a subject according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] (1) The subject had had a benign cyst on the right side of his neck since 2017 (see a in Figure 8). (2) On January 23, 2020, the cyst was surgically removed, and the doctor determined that the subject had made a complete recovery (see b in Figure 8). (3) Approximately two days after the surgery, swelling began to appear on the right side of his face, which subsided on February 12. (4) Approximately two days after the surgery, swelling began to appear on the right side of his face in parallel with the swelling that had appeared on the right side of his face, which subsided approximately 50 days after February 12 (late March to early April).

[0053] FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining indentations on the face of a subject according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] The top left panel of Figure 9 shows an indentation on the left side of the subject's face after surgery (2:42 PM on January 27th). The top right panel of Figure 9 shows an indentation on the right side of the subject's face after surgery (2:42 PM on January 27th). Thirty minutes later (3:13 PM on January 27th), the indentation on the left side of the subject's face had disappeared, but the indentation on the right side of the subject's face remained. This shows that swelling had occurred on the right side of the subject's face (note that swelling is characterized by an indentation).

[0055] FIG. 10 is an image (entire image) showing the two-dimensional shape of a subject's face according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] The top row of Fig. 10 shows an image of the subject's face photographed from the front, an image of the subject's face photographed from an oblique angle, and an image of the subject's face photographed from the side, taken on January 16th before the surgery. The bottom row of Fig. 10 shows an image of the subject's face photographed from the front, an image of the subject's face photographed from an oblique angle, and an image of the subject's face photographed from the side, taken on February 12th.

[0057] FIG. 11 is an image (front view) showing the two-dimensional shape of a subject's face according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] The two images on the left side of Fig. 11 are images showing the two-dimensional shape of the subject's face taken from the front on January 23rd after surgery. The two images on the right side of Fig. 11 are images showing the two-dimensional shape of the subject's face taken from the front on February 14th.

[0059] 10 and 11, it can be seen that it is difficult to visually recognize bulges in an image representing the two-dimensional shape of a face.

[0060] FIG. 12 is an image (front view) showing the three-dimensional shape of a subject's face according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] The left side of Fig. 12 is an image showing the three-dimensional shape of the subject's face, taken from the front on January 23rd after surgery. The right side of Fig. 12 is an image showing the three-dimensional shape of the subject's face, taken from the front on February 14th. In the image on the left side of Fig. 12, taken on January 23rd, only the right side of the face is clearly swollen. Therefore, it can be seen that bulging can be distinguished in the image showing the three-dimensional shape of the face.

[0062] Fig. 13 is a diagram for explaining facial swelling according to one embodiment of the present invention, which is an image representing a three-dimensional shape of a face (specifically, a representation of the subject's face as three-dimensional data, which is then reproduced as an image).

[0063] The left side of Fig. 13 is an image showing the three-dimensional shape of the right side of the subject's face taken on January 23rd after surgery. The right side of Fig. 13 is an image showing the three-dimensional shape of the right side of the subject's face taken on February 14th.

[0064] 14 and 15 are diagrams for explaining facial swelling according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0065] The horizontal axis (Days) in Figures 14 and 15 indicates the number of days before or after the reference day 0 (the day the swelling subsided: February 12th). The vertical axis (ΔΔVolume (cc)) in Figures 14 and 15 is calculated using the following formula:

[0066] △△Volume = (volume of the right side of the face on each day - volume of the right side of the face on the day the swelling subsided (February 12th)) - (volume of the left side of the face on each day - volume of the left side of the face on the day the swelling subsided (February 12th))

[0067] 14 and 15 show that the swelling on the right side of the face (a swollen state caused by an increase in blood volume due to inflammation, etc.) subsided in about three weeks from January 23rd to February 14th.

[0068] FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining facial swelling according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0069] The left side of Figure 16 is an image showing the gravitational swelling (VC swelling) of the left side of the subject's face, measured on January 22nd before surgery. The right side of Figure 16 is an image showing the gravitational swelling (VC swelling) of the right side of the subject's face, measured on February 25th. It can be seen that the gravitational swelling on February 25th was smaller than on January 22nd.

[0070] FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining facial swelling according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0071] The upper part of Figure 17 shows the gravitational swelling (VCswelling) for each day (specifically, the number of days before or after the reference day 0 (the day the swelling subsided: February 12th)).

[0072] △Sf(R-L) in the lower left of Figure 17 indicates the difference in volume between the right-side Sf (amount of sagging within the face) and the left-side Sf (amount of sagging within the face) on each day (specifically, the number of days before or after the reference day 0, February 12th, when the swelling had subsided) (measurements were taken multiple times per day).

[0073] △Sc(R-L) in the lower right of Figure 17 indicates the difference in volume between the right and left Sc on each day (specifically, the number of days before or after the reference day 0 (the day the swelling subsided: February 12th)) (measurements were taken multiple times per day).

[0074] Although Sf (amount of intrafacial sagging) did not change, Sc did change, which indicates that the amount of gravitational swelling (VCswelling) changed due to Sc. As explained with reference to Figures 14 and 15, the swelling subsided in about three weeks, which indicates that Sc indicates puffiness, not swelling.

[0075] That is, in FIG. 17, swelling and puffiness are present on the right side of the face from day −25 to day 0, swelling is present on the right side of the face from day 0 to day 100, and neither swelling nor puffiness is present on the left side of the face from day −25 to day 0 to day 100.

[0076] 18 is an image showing facial swelling in multiple subjects according to one embodiment of the present invention. The image shows each subject's age, visual score (a numerical representation of the visual assessment of sagging. For example, the visual score is calculated by determining which of the reference photographs 1 to 5 the face of the person being assessed for sagging most closely resembles), intra-facial sagging, facial swelling, and facial photograph. It can be seen that there are differences in the shape of the outer and lower cheeks between the subject without facial swelling (top row) and the subject with facial swelling (bottom row).

[0077] <Application example of calculating the amount of facial swelling> In one embodiment of the present invention, the effectiveness of cosmetics for reducing swelling can be evaluated by comparing the amount of facial swelling before using cosmetics for reducing swelling with the amount of facial swelling after using the cosmetics for reducing swelling.

[0078] Hereinafter, the correlation between the amount of facial swelling (Sc) and the sensory evaluation will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20. FIG.

[0079] <Sensory Evaluation> Figure 19 is a diagram showing the contents of the sensory evaluation of facial swelling according to one embodiment of the present invention. A questionnaire with the following questions was conducted regarding subjective symptoms related to facial swelling (this was conducted on 24 women), and scores were assigned based on the answers to the questions. [Questions and Score] 6 points: Question "Severely impaired by swelling" 5 points: Question "Severe swelling" 4 points: Question "Moderate swelling" 3 points: Question "Mild swelling" 2 points: Question "Slight swelling" 1 point: Question "No symptoms of swelling"

[0080] <Correlation between the amount of facial swelling (Sc) and sensory evaluation> Fig. 20 is a diagram showing the correlation between the amount of facial swelling (Sc) and sensory evaluation according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, Fig. 20 shows the relationship between the amount of facial swelling (Sc) of the panelists and the questionnaire scores on subjective symptoms related to swelling. The correlation coefficient R was 0.22, and there was a positive correlation between the amount of facial swelling (Sc) and subjective symptoms related to swelling.

[0081] 21 is a graph showing the correlation between the improvement in facial swelling and visual assessment according to one embodiment of the present invention. A cosmetic product effective in reducing facial swelling (specifically, an anti-swelling agent containing 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-imidazolidinone as an active ingredient) was applied to one half of the face (referred to as half of the face Q), and a cosmetic product not effective in reducing facial swelling was applied to the other half of the face (referred to as half of the face P) opposite half of the face Q (this test was conducted on 39 women). The tests were conducted before the first application of each cosmetic product (week 0), and 3 and 6 weeks after the start of application.

[0082] The vertical axis of Fig. 21 shows the average value and variation of the improvement in the amount of facial swelling (Sc) (i.e., [left-right difference in the amount of facial swelling (Sc) at week 0] - [left-right difference in the amount of facial swelling (Sc) after n weeks]). The left-right difference in the amount of facial swelling (Sc) is [the amount of swelling (Sc) of the half of the face to which a cosmetic product effective in improving facial swelling was applied] - [the amount of swelling (Sc) of the half of the face to which a cosmetic product ineffective in improving facial swelling was applied].

[0083] The horizontal axis of Figure 21 shows the average value and variation when participants were asked to select which half of the face, P or Q, looked more swollen, with -1 point given if the Q half of the face looked more swollen and +1 point given if the P half of the face looked more swollen.

[0084] The correlation coefficient R was 0.95, and there was a positive correlation between the improvement in the amount of facial swelling (Sc) and the visual assessment.

[0085] <Hardware Configuration> FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the swelling-evaluating device 10 and the analysis terminal 30 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0086] The swelling-evaluating device 10 and the analysis terminal 30 may include a control unit 1001, a main memory unit 1002, an auxiliary memory unit 1003, an input unit 1004, an output unit 1005, and an interface unit 1006. Each of these will be described below.

[0087] The control unit 1001 is a processor (for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc.) that executes various programs installed in the auxiliary storage unit 1003 .

[0088] The main memory unit 1002 includes a non-volatile memory (Read Only Memory (ROM)) and a volatile memory (Random Access Memory (RAM)). The ROM stores various programs, data, etc. required for the control unit 1001 to execute various programs installed in the auxiliary memory unit 1003. The RAM provides a working area into which the various programs installed in the auxiliary memory unit 1003 are expanded when executed by the control unit 1001.

[0089] The auxiliary storage unit 1003 is an auxiliary storage device that stores various programs and information used when the various programs are executed.

[0090] The input unit 1004 is an input device through which the operator of the swelling-evaluating device 10 and the analysis terminal 30 inputs various instructions to the swelling-evaluating device 10 and the analysis terminal 30 .

[0091] The output unit 1005 is an output device that outputs the internal states of the swelling-evaluating device 10 and the analysis terminal 30, etc.

[0092] The interface unit 1006 is a communication device for connecting to a network and communicating with other devices.

[0093] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0094] This international application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-220017, filed on December 26, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0095] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Swelling evaluation system 10 Swelling evaluation device 20 Imaging terminal 30 Analysis terminal 40 Subject 101 Three-dimensional shape information acquisition unit 102 Swelling amount calculation unit 103 Swelling amount output unit 201 Three-dimensional shape face image generation unit 301 Three-dimensional shape information calculation unit 1001 Control unit 1002 Main memory unit 1003 Auxiliary memory unit 1004 Input unit 1005 Output unit 1006 Interface unit

Claims

1. An edema evaluation system comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires an amount of gravitational swelling and an amount of gravitational indentation obtained from a three-dimensional shape change between three-dimensional shape face images in a horizontal position and a vertical position of a subject; and a calculation unit that calculates an amount of facial edema from the amount of gravitational swelling and the amount of gravitational indentation.

2. The edema evaluation system according to claim 1, wherein the amount of gravitational swelling is a difference between the volume in the horizontal position and the volume in the vertical position of a part having a larger volume in the vertical position than in the horizontal position, and the amount of gravitational indentation is a difference between the volume in the horizontal position and the volume in the vertical position of a part having a smaller volume in the vertical position than in the horizontal position.

3. When the amount of swelling due to gravity is defined as VCswelling, the amount of sinking due to gravity is defined as VCshrinking, and the amount of facial puffiness is defined as Sc, the amount of facial puffiness can be obtained by the following formula: (where Sc = amount of facial puffiness, VCswelling = amount of swelling due to gravity, VCshrinking = amount of sinking due to gravity), the puffiness evaluation system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The edema evaluation system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an output unit that outputs the amount of facial edema.

5. The edema evaluation system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the amount of facial edema is the amount of edema of the outer side and the lower part of the cheek.

6. The three-dimensional shape face images in the horizontal position and the vertical position of the subject are repeatedly generated, and at least one of the amount of gravitational swelling, the amount of gravitational indentation, and the amount of facial edema is a representative value of a value calculated using the repeatedly generated three-dimensional shape face images. The edema evaluation system according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The three-dimensional shape face images in the horizontal position and the vertical position of the subject are repeatedly generated, the amount of gravitational swelling and the amount of gravitational indentation are obtained from a three-dimensional shape change between three-dimensional shape face images for each of the repeatedly generated three-dimensional shape face images, and the calculation unit calculates a representative value of the amount of facial edema calculated from each amount of gravitational swelling and amount of gravitational indentation as the amount of facial edema. The edema evaluation system according to claim 1 or 2.

8. A program for causing an edema evaluation system to function as an acquisition unit that acquires an amount of gravitational swelling and an amount of gravitational indentation obtained from a three-dimensional shape change between three-dimensional shape face images in a horizontal position and a vertical position of a subject, and a calculation unit that calculates an amount of facial edema from the amount of gravitational swelling and the amount of gravitational indentation.

9. A method including: acquiring an amount of gravitational swelling and an amount of gravitational indentation obtained from a three-dimensional shape change between three-dimensional shape face images in a horizontal position and a vertical position of a subject; and calculating an amount of facial edema from the amount of gravitational swelling and the amount of gravitational indentation.

Images