Hair Cortex Cell Distribution Quantification via Cross-Sectional Imaging

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for evaluating hair characteristics fail to accurately quantify the distribution of different types of cortex cells in human hair, limiting the objective assessment of hair properties and treatment methods.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that acquire cross-sectional images of human hair to visually distinguish and quantify the distribution of different fibrous tissues within the cortex cells, allowing for numerical information to be extracted about their distribution states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional evaluation methods are used to assess hair characteristics, then the assessment process is simple, but the measurement precision and accuracy of quantifying cortex cell distribution is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequantification accuracy of cortex cell distributionVSAvoidcomplexity of image acquisition and analysis system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the cortex cells into multiple types (para cortex cells and ortho cortex cells) and visualizes them with different colors to enable distinct identification and quantification. This segmentation approach allows for precise measurement of each cell type's distribution while maintaining a systematic analysis framework that balances detail with manageability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an image processing system as an intermediary between the hair sample and the final measurement results. This intermediary automatically performs image acquisition, processing, and quantification, reducing manual intervention while achieving high measurement precision. The automated system bridges the gap between simple assessment and complex analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the cortex cell distribution is not separated into multiple types for evaluation, then the evaluation process is straightforward, but the reliability and accuracy of hair characteristic assessment is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of hair characteristic evaluationVSAvoidcomplexity of cell classification and visualization system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the cortex cells into distinct types (para cortex and ortho cortex) with different visual characteristics, allowing for reliable differentiation and accurate assessment of hair properties. This segmentation enables the system to capture the complexity of hair structure without overwhelming the evaluation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses color differentiation to visually distinguish between different types of cortex cells. By assigning different colors to different cell types, the system makes complex structural information visually accessible and easily quantifiable, enhancing reliability without significantly increasing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Loss of information

If quantitative information about fibrous tissue distribution is not acquired, then the data processing is simpler, but the ability to objectively evaluate hair characteristics and guide treatment selection is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of hair characteristic dataVSAvoidefficiency of hair treatment selection process

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention enables the system to automatically acquire, process, and interpret quantitative data about fibrous tissue distribution without requiring manual analysis. This self-service capability ensures complete data capture while maintaining high productivity by eliminating time-consuming manual evaluation steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces manual hair analysis with an automated image processing system that uses optical and computational methods to extract quantitative information. This substitution preserves complete information about tissue distribution while dramatically improving the efficiency of treatment selection by eliminating manual data processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS8965081B2Method for acquiring hair characteristic data and apparatus for acquiring the same

Publication Date: 2015.02.24 KAO CORP

AI summary

A method for acquiring hair characteristic data includes an image acquiring step and a data acquiring step. The image acquiring step acquires a cross-sectional image of a human hair 50, in which plural types of fibrous tissues (ortho cell 52a, para cell 52b) constituting cortex cells 52 contained in the human hair 50 are visualized so as to be distinguishable from each other. The data acquiring step acquires numerical information indicating a distribution state of the visualized plural types of fibrous tissues (ortho cell 52a, para cell 52b) from the cross-sectional image.