Acne Imaging Apparatus Using Blue Light Fluorescence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods fail to effectively detect acne in its early stages, particularly microcomedones, as they are not visible or palpable, making early intervention challenging.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that capture and process images of skin illuminated with blue light through a green filter, using a dermatoscopic device to detect microcomedones by identifying fluorescent spots associated with coproporphyrin III, a porphyrin linked to P. acnes bacteria, and applying filtering operations to differentiate and highlight these spots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional skin examination methods are used, then the examination process is simple and quick, but early stage acne (microcomedones) cannot be detected as they are not visible or palpable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces blue light as an intermediary substance that interacts with coproporphyrin III in microcomedones to produce fluorescent emission. This intermediary enables detection of invisible microcomedones by converting their chemical composition into visible fluorescent signals that can be captured by imaging devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical visual and tactile examination methods with optical fluorescence imaging technology. Instead of relying on human eyes and touch to detect skin conditions, the system uses blue light illumination and green filter imaging to detect fluorescent signals from microcomedones, substituting mechanical sensory examination with optical detection.
2Measurement precision
If blue light illumination and green filter imaging is used to detect microcomedones, then early stage acne detection capability is improved, but the device complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using specific wavelength filtering (green filter) to isolate fluorescent signals from microcomedones while blocking other wavelengths. This selective filtering approach enhances the visibility of microcomedones in specific regions of the skin by emphasizing their fluorescent emission characteristics while suppressing background signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the examination system by using blue light illumination (specific wavelength range) and green filter detection (specific wavelength transmission). This parameter change transforms the invisible microcomedones into visible fluorescent spots, enabling their detection through controlled modification of light wavelength parameters.
3Measurement precision
If image processing and filtering operations are applied, then microcomedone identification accuracy is improved, but processing time and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing image processing and filtering operations on captured images to identify and highlight microcomedones before final analysis. The system pre-processes the fluorescent images through various filtering algorithms to enhance microcomedone visibility and reduce false positives, preparing the data for more efficient subsequent analysis.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the early detection of microcomedones, allowing for timely intervention and potentially reducing acne severity by visualizing and quantifying their presence through processed images.
Implementation Method 1
an image of skin illuminated with a blue light is captured via a green filter. The captured image is further processed and analyzed to detect the presence of microcomedones
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and apparatus are described for detecting acne, particularly in its earliest stages before any humanly visible or palpable manifestations thereof have emerged. An arrangement is described in which a green fluorescence image of an area of skin illuminated with blue light is captured and processed to detect the presence of microcomedones. The captured green fluorescence image is corrected for the non-uniform distribution of excitation light on the surface of the illuminated area of skin. Fluorescent spots are then detected in the corrected image. The subset of fluorescent spots having an intensity lower than an intensity threshold and an area smaller than an area threshold are selected as representative of candidate microcomedones. The subset can be further refined by eliminating fluorescent spots that have irregular shapes, are associated with inflammation, or exhibit comedone features. Additional filtering can be applied by selecting those spots whose locations correspond to those of pores. A dermatoscope with a blue illumination source and a green-filtered viewer allows live imaging of skin spots indicative of acne, including microcomedones not otherwise visible with the naked eye.