Skin Microbiome Evaluation for Objective Physical Condition Screening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for evaluating human skin and physical conditions are subjective and influenced by external factors like face cleansing and cosmetics, lacking objectivity and failing to account for all relevant indices, thus requiring a more accurate and objective assessment.

Innovation Solution

The method involves analyzing the abundance proportion of specific indigenous bacteria on the skin surface, using DNA analysis to determine correlation criteria for evaluating physical conditions, and presenting information on substances that can improve or prevent these conditions based on established parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If questionnaire studies are used to evaluate skin conditions, then evaluation can be conducted, but significant bias occurs due to questionee's subjectivity resulting in less objective evaluations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobjectivity of evaluationVSAvoidease of evaluation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/questionnaire-based evaluation system with a biological indicator system. Instead of relying on human subjectivity in questionnaires, the invention uses the abundance proportion of skin indigenous microorganisms as an objective biological marker that correlates with physical conditions, thereby substituting subjective mechanical evaluation with objective biological measurement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces skin indigenous microorganisms as an intermediary indicator between the actual physical condition and the evaluation result. These microorganisms serve as a mediator that reflects the underlying physical condition objectively, allowing evaluation without direct subjective input from the subject

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If image analysis is used to provide objective indices, then objectivity is improved, but accurate evaluation of skin conditions remains difficult due to varied skin qualities from face cleansing, foundation, skin cream, and the like

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobjectivity of evaluationVSAvoidaccuracy of skin condition evaluation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the evaluation target from the complex skin surface environment by focusing on skin indigenous microorganisms rather than direct skin appearance. This extraction removes the confounding factors of face cleansing, foundation, and skin cream that affect image analysis, as the microbial composition reflects the underlying skin condition independent of surface cosmetics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses skin indigenous microorganisms as an intermediary that indirectly reflects skin conditions without being affected by surface cosmetics or cleansing. This intermediary provides reliable evaluation by correlating microbial abundance proportions with physical conditions while remaining insensitive to external cosmetic factors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional evaluation methods dependent on traditional indices are used, then existing skin conditions can be assessed, but skin conditions difficult to be evaluated by conventional technologies cannot be accurately assessed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverange of evaluable conditionsVSAvoidaccuracy of evaluation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by using skin indigenous microorganisms as a multi-functional indicator that can evaluate diverse physical conditions including but not limited to skin conditions, hair conditions, and overall health status. This single microbial-based approach serves multiple evaluation functions that conventional methods would require separate specialized techniques for each condition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the evaluation parameter from traditional skin appearance indices to the abundance proportion of skin indigenous microorganisms. This parameter change enables accurate evaluation of conditions that were previously difficult to assess, as microbial composition provides new information about physical conditions that traditional indices cannot capture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11802310B2Method for evaluating physical conditions, method for presenting information, and method for screening for substance capable of improving or preventing physical conditions

Publication Date: 2023.10.31 MYSKIN CORP

AI summary

The purpose of the present invention is to provide: a method for evaluating various physical conditions accurately; a method for presenting information utilizing the aforementioned method; and a method of screening for a substance capable of improving or preventing physical conditions. A method for evaluating a physical condition of a subject comprises the steps of: determining the value of an abundance of a skin flora, which is collected from the surface of the skin of the subject, on the surface of the skin or the value of a parameter calculated on the basis of the abundance, wherein the reference values for the correlation between the abundance or the parameter with the physical condition has been produced; and then comparing the value with the reference values.