Near-Infrared Spectroscopy for Non-Invasive Skin Condition Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for evaluating skin conditions, particularly the stratum corneum, lack effective non-invasive techniques for accurately measuring keratin and lipid content, which are crucial for assessing skin barrier function and diagnosing related diseases.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method utilizing near-infrared spectroscopy to acquire optical absorption spectra from the skin, processing this data with regression analysis and predefined estimation models to determine keratin and lipid content, and subsequently assessing skin aging and damage, including transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If non-invasive measurement techniques are used to assess skin conditions, then patient comfort and safety are improved, but measurement precision and accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces invasive mechanical measurement systems with optical spectroscopy systems. Near-infrared light is used to interact with skin components, and the resulting absorption spectra are analyzed to determine keratin and lipid content. This substitution eliminates physical intrusion into the skin while enabling accurate component quantification through optical property analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in optical absorption parameters at different wavelengths to identify and quantify specific skin components. By analyzing the characteristic absorption spectra of keratin and lipids in the near-infrared region, the system can distinguish between different components and determine their concentrations without physical contact or invasion of the skin tissue.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple skin components (keratin, lipids) are measured simultaneously, then comprehensive skin condition assessment is improved, but device complexity and analysis difficulty worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex spectral information into component-specific absorption characteristics. By identifying distinct spectral features for keratin, lipids, and other skin components at different wavelengths, the system can separately analyze and quantify each component. This segmentation approach simplifies the analysis of multi-component mixtures while maintaining comprehensive assessment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces spectral analysis algorithms and reference databases as intermediaries between the raw optical absorption data and the final component quantification. These intermediaries process the complex spectral information by comparing measured spectra with known reference spectra, automatically identifying and quantifying multiple components without requiring direct complex interaction between measurement and analysis systems.
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 non-invasive, accurate estimation of skin conditions by correlating optical absorption spectra with keratin and lipid content, providing insights into skin aging, damage, and TEWL, thereby aiding in the diagnosis and monitoring of skin health.
Implementation Method 1
a spectroscope configured to emit near-infrared light into the skin and generate the optical absorption spectrum through spectroscopy of the near-infrared light reflected or scattered from the skin
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for estimating a skin condition includes a data acquirer configured to acquire an optical absorption spectrum of a skin; and a processor configured to determine content of a component in the skin from the optical absorption spectrum and determine a skin condition based on the determined content of the component in the skin.