Optical Tomography Apparatus for Non-Invasive UV Penetration Depth Evaluation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for evaluating light penetration depth, particularly in the ultraviolet region, are invasive, lack high resolution, and cannot compare measurement results across multiple wavelengths, making it difficult to assess the effects of cosmetics and medical treatments on human skin non-destructively and non-invasively.
Innovation Solution
A light penetration depth evaluation method using optical tomography that splits low coherent light into sample and reference light, emitting it in a line shape to a measurement target, generating interference light, and acquiring two-dimensional spectroscopic images to evaluate penetration depth by shaping arbitrary wavelength regions from ultraviolet to visible spectra, allowing for non-destructive and non-invasive assessment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ultraviolet light is used to measure light penetration depth, then the penetration depth can be evaluated in the ultraviolet region, but the measurement becomes invasive and destructive requiring skin cutting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cutting system with an optical measurement system. Instead of physically cutting skin to measure UV penetration, the invention uses optical tomography with UV light sources to non-invasively evaluate penetration depth through optical signal detection and image processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from physical tissue structure (requiring cutting) to optical properties (light absorption and scattering). By measuring optical parameters at different UV wavelengths, the system evaluates penetration depth without physical intrusion
2Ease of operation
If conventional OCT methods are used, then measurement can be performed, but comparison of measurement results across multiple wavelengths is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal measurement system that can operate across multiple UV wavelengths (200-400nm). The optical tomography apparatus is designed to handle different wavelengths through the same measurement platform, enabling comparative analysis of light penetration at various wavelengths using consistent methodology
3Manufacturing precision
If mechanical scanning is used in OCT apparatus, then tomographic images can be acquired, but the method is not suitable for measuring samples causing blurring such as human skin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical scanning with a non-mechanical optical field measurement approach. By using optical tomography that captures three-dimensional information through light field analysis rather than mechanical sectioning, the system eliminates motion-induced blur and improves measurement reliability for dynamic samples like human skin
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 non-destructive and non-invasive evaluation of ultraviolet light penetration depth, facilitating the testing of cosmetics and medical treatments by providing high-resolution, wavelength-comparable data without mechanical scanning, suitable for human skin and other materials.
Implementation Method 1
splitting low coherent light into sample light and reference light, emitting the sample light to a measurement target in a line shape, generating interference light by superimposing reflected light from the measurement target due to emission of the sample light and the reference light on each other
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
There are provided a light penetration depth evaluation method capable of evaluating the penetration depth of ultraviolet light for a measurement target in a non-destructive and non-invasive manner, a performance test method using the evaluation method, and an optical tomography apparatus using the evaluation method. Using an optical tomography method of splitting low coherent light (L0) into sample light (L1) and reference light (L2), emitting the sample light (L1) to a measurement target (S) in a line shape, generating interference light (L4) by superimposing reflected light (L3) from the measurement target (S) due to emission of the sample light (L1) and the reference light (L2) on each other, and acquiring a two-dimensional spectroscopic tomographic image of the measurement target (S) by spectroscopically detecting the interference light (L4) and performing frequency analysis, an arbitrary wavelength region in an ultraviolet region is cut out from low coherent light including a wavelength region from an ultraviolet region to a visible region and the arbitrary wavelength region is shaped into a spectrum having an arbitrary wavelength width, the two-dimensional spectroscopic tomographic image is acquired as using the low coherent light (L0), and the penetration depth of the sample light for the measurement target is evaluated based on the two-dimensional spectroscopic tomographic image.