Contactless Skin Measurement via Brewster Angle Polarization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for measuring skin water content and condition require contact, which can damage the skin surface and provide inaccurate measurements due to surface conditions interfering with electrical properties.

Innovation Solution

A contactless internal measurement device using electromagnetic waves in the frequency band of 10 GHz to 30 THz, irradiating p-polarized waves at the Brewster angle to penetrate the skin without surface interference, allowing for accurate measurement of water content and skin condition without direct contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If contactless measurement using electromagnetic waves is employed, then measurement accuracy is improved and skin surface is protected, but measurement precision is reduced due to surface conditions interfering with electrical properties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin surface protectionVSAvoidwater content measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement system segments the electromagnetic wave detection into multiple polarization components. By detecting both parallel and perpendicular polarization components separately and processing them differently, the system can eliminate surface interference effects while preserving internal water content information, thus resolving the contradiction between contactless measurement and measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the measurement parameter from simple electrical conductivity to electromagnetic wave polarization characteristics. By utilizing the differential interaction of polarized electromagnetic waves with skin surface versus internal tissues, the system achieves contactless measurement without sacrificing accuracy, overcoming the limitation of electrical property-based methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If electrical properties are used for measurement, then measurement capability is provided, but surface conditions block or accelerate electrical current flow causing inaccurate measurements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement capabilityVSAvoidstratum corneum water content accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces electromagnetic waves as an intermediary medium for measurement. Unlike direct electrical contact methods, electromagnetic waves can penetrate through surface conditions (makeup, clothing, etc.) without being blocked or accelerated by them, allowing accurate measurement of internal water content while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the mechanical/electrical contact-based measurement system with an electromagnetic wave-based system. This substitution eliminates the problem of surface conditions interfering with electrical current flow, while maintaining the ability to measure water content accurately through the non-contact electromagnetic interaction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 accurate, non-invasive measurement of skin water content and condition, unaffected by surface conditions such as makeup or clothing, providing reliable data for health and cosmetic evaluations.

Implementation Method 1

irradiating p-polarized waves at the Brewster angle to penetrate the skin without surface interference

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBrewster's angle: Brewster's Angle

Implementation Method 2

an electromagnetic wave receiver that detects the electromagnetic wave reflected by the measurement subject

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

measuring the internal condition, which includes water content inside the skin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric permittivity: Dielectric Permittivity

Data Source

PatentUS11721452B2Contactless internal measurement device, contactless internal measurement method, and internal measurement result display system

Publication Date: 2023.08.08 MAXELL LTD

AI summary

Provided is a contactless internal measurement device including an electromagnetic wave irradiation unit that irradiates an electromagnetic wave to a measurement subject, and an electromagnetic wave receiver that detects the electromagnetic wave reflected by the measurement subject. The electromagnetic wave irradiation unit is disposed to reduce a polarization component of the electromagnetic wave detected by the electromagnetic wave receiver, the polarization component being the same as a polarization component of the electromagnetic wave irradiated by the electromagnetic wave irradiation unit.