Viscoelasticity Measurement System for Skin Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional techniques fail to quantitatively measure the complex physical properties of human skin viscoelasticity, including both viscosity and elasticity, especially when pinching or picking up the skin, and are limited in measuring dynamic viscoelasticity and deep tissue properties.
Innovation Solution
A viscoelasticity measurement system comprising a measurement apparatus with a movable unit pressed against the skin, equipped with acceleration and reactive force sensors, which calculates both elasticity and viscosity components based on acceleration and reactive force information, and displays the results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional pinching or picking up methods are used to measure skin properties, then the measurement can be performed, but the complex physical properties including both viscosity and elasticity cannot be quantitatively evaluated
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system is divided into separate functional modules: a movable unit with acceleration sensor for detecting motion, a pressure sensor for detecting contact force, and a processor that separately calculates elasticity and viscosity components. This segmentation allows complex viscoelasticity measurement to be broken down into manageable measurement and calculation steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary calculation model that relates acceleration data, pressure data, and displacement data to derive viscoelasticity properties. The processor uses these intermediary calculations to transform raw sensor data into meaningful elasticity and viscosity values, bridging the gap between simple measurement and complex property evaluation.
2Measurement precision
If the technique in Patent Document 1 is used to calculate hardness by second-order differential of pressure information, then elasticity can be measured, but viscosity and complex physical properties cannot be evaluated
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system is designed to perform multiple functions: it can measure elasticity through acceleration and pressure data, measure viscosity through the relationship between pressure and displacement over time, and evaluate complex viscoelasticity properties. The same hardware setup serves multiple measurement purposes, making the system versatile for different physical property evaluations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameters from simple pressure or acceleration to a combination of acceleration, pressure, and their temporal relationships. By analyzing how these parameters change over time and relate to each other, the system can extract both elastic and viscous properties, expanding the adaptability for evaluating complex physical properties.
3Measurement precision
If the technique in Patent Document 2 is used with one-time gas injection, then surface displacement can be measured, but dynamic viscoelasticity and deep tissue properties cannot be measured
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system employs continuous pressing of the movable unit against the measurement object, maintaining contact throughout the measurement process. This continuous action allows the system to capture dynamic responses over time, enabling measurement of both surface displacement and deep tissue properties, as well as dynamic viscoelasticity characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic measurement capabilities by continuously monitoring acceleration and pressure changes during the pressing process. The system analyzes the temporal dynamics of the response, allowing it to measure viscoelasticity properties that depend on the rate and timing of deformation, thereby capturing dynamic characteristics that static methods cannot detect.
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 quantitative measurement of both viscosity and elasticity, allowing for accurate assessment of skin viscoelasticity, including deep tissue properties, and dynamic viscoelasticity, overcoming limitations of existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
a first sensor (acceleration sensor) outputting acceleration information corresponding to an acceleration of pressing-directional movement of a contact portion of the movable unit with respect to the measurement object
Implementation Method 2
a second sensor (reactive force sensor) outputting reactive force information corresponding to a reactive force applied to the contact portion of the movable unit with respect to the measurement object
Implementation Method 3
a movable unit continuously pressed against a measurement object
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide a technique of quantitatively measuring physical properties including both viscosity and elasticity. A viscoelasticity measurement system includes a measurement apparatus, a processor, and a display apparatus. The measurement apparatus includes a movable unit continuously pressed against a measurement object, a first sensor outputting acceleration information corresponding to an acceleration of pressing-directional movement of a contact portion of the movable unit with respect to the measurement object, and a second sensor outputting reactive force information corresponding to a reactive force applied to the contact portion of the movable unit with respect to the measurement object. The processor calculates first information on an elasticity component of the measurement object and second information on a viscosity component of the measurement object based on the acceleration information and the reactive force information. The display apparatus displays the first information and the second information.