Device, system and method for observing a typological characteristic of the body

• US 20030045799A1
• Filed: 06/28/2002
• Published: 03/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: L'Oreal SA
• Original Assignee: L'Oreal SA
• Inventors: Giron, Franck, Bazin, Roland
• Granted Patent: US 7,986,987 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/476
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0077 Devices for viewing the surface of the body, e.g. camera, magnifying lens
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1032 Determining colour for diagnostic purposes measuring colour in general G01J3/46
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/441 Skin evaluation, e.g. for skin disorder diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/443 Evaluating skin constituents, e.g. elastin, melanin, water
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/444 Evaluating skin marks, e.g. mole, nevi, tumour, scar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/448 Hair evaluation, e.g. for hair disorder diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/8444 Fibrous material
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/84 Systems specially adapted for particular applications

Abstract

A portable device for observing a typological characteristic of the body. For example, the device can be used to observe at least one characteristic of the appearance of the skin or the hair. The device can generate at least two images of the zone under examination. The images differ from each other as to a feature other than magnification and the intensity of the light source.

Claims

1. A portable device for observing a characteristic of a body, comprising:

means for exposing a zone under examination with light, and

means for generating at least two images of said zone under examination, said images differing from each other as to a feature other than magnification and the intensity of said light.

2. A device according to claim 1, further comprising means for observing said zone under examination directly.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein said means for generating generates said images in succession and includes a member which varies said feature other than said magnification and said intensity of said light.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein said means for generating comprises optical elements which generate two different images of said zone under examination simultaneously.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein said means for generating comprises at least one polarizer which varies the orientation of a polarization direction for said images.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein said means for exposing varies a degree of directivity of said light.

7. A device according to claim 1, wherein said means for exposing varies a direction of incidence of said light.

8. A device according to claim 1, wherein said means for exposing varies a color of said light.

9. A device according to claim 1, wherein said means for generating varies a pressure applied to said zone under examination.

10. A device according to claim 7, wherein said means for generating comprises a filter which filters the light coming from said zone under examination.

11. A device according to claim 1, wherein said means for generating comprises an optical system which magnifies an image of said zone under examination.

12. A device according to claim 1, wherein said means for exposing exposes said zone under examination to diffuse lighting.

13. A device according to claim 1, wherein said means for exposing exposes said zone under examination to directional lighting.

14. A device according to claim 1, wherein said means for exposing exposes said zone under examination to grazing light.

15. A device according to claim 1, wherein said means for exposing comprises at least one screen movable to a position between a light source emitting said light and said zone under examination.

16. A device according to claim 15, wherein said screen is positioned so as to expose said zone under examination to lighting by transillumination.

17. A device according to claim 15, wherein the screen is movable from a first position at which the screen is remote from a surface surrounding said zone under examination and a second position at which the screen comes into contact with said surface.

18. A device according to claim 15, wherein the screen is movable so that said zone under examination is exposed to grazing light.

19. A device according to claim 15, wherein the screen comprises a tubular wall extendable around said zone under examination.

20. A device according to claim 19, wherein the screen comprises a portion which is conical or pyramid-shaped, converging towards said zone under examination.

21. A device according to claim 15, wherein:

the screen is movable, and

the device further comprises at least one spring which urges the screen towards a rest position.

22. A device according to claim 1, wherein said means for generating comprises at least one color filter.

23. A device according to claim 22, wherein the filter is blue in color.

24. A device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one polarizer.

25. A device according to claim 1, wherein said means for exposing comprises at least one polarizer placed on the path of light between a light source and said zone under examination.

26. A device according to claim 1, wherein said means for generating comprises at least one polarizer placed on the path of the light between the zone under examination and an observer'"'"'s eye.

27. A device according to claim 1, wherein said means for generating comprises at least two polarizers of different orientations that are juxtaposed and placed on the path of light between the zone under examination and an observer'"'"'s eye.

28. A device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one pivotally-mounted polarizer so as to enable a user to modify the orientation of its direction of polarization relative to a reference direction.

29. A device according to claim 1, wherein said means for exposing are configured to expose the zone under examination to natural light.

30. A device according to claim 29, wherein said means for exposing comprises a skirt of transparent plastic material, the skirt having an edge extending around said zone under examination.

31. A device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one integrated light source which generates said light.

32. A device according to claim 31, wherein the integrated light source comprises at least one light emitting element selected from the group consisting of an incandescent lamp, a light emitting diode, and a fluorescent lamp.

33. A device according to claim 32, wherein the optical instrument comprises light emitting elements emitting light in respective different wavelength ranges.

34. A device according to claim 31, wherein the integrated light source comprises a plurality of light emitting elements and control means for selectively powering at least a fraction of said light emitting elements.

35. A device according to claim 31, wherein said integrated light source comprises light emitting elements disposed in a circle.

36. A device according to claim 31, further comprising a housing enclosing one or more electric batteries for powering said integrated light source.

37. A device according to claim 36, wherein the housing has an axis substantially perpendicular to an observation direction for observing said zone under examination.

38. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a pane which compresses the skin in said zone under examination so as to expel blood therefrom.

39. A device according to claim 38, wherein said pane is removable.

40. A system for examining a zone of a body, comprising:

a device according to claim 1;

and

an atlas of reference images.

41. A system for examining a zone of a body, comprising:

a device according to claim 1;

and

a computer which displays reference images.

42. A device according to claim 1, wherein said means for generating comprises a reticule.

43. A device according to claim 1, wherein said zone under examination is a zone of skin, and said device further comprises a tool for creasing or stretching said skin.

44. A method of evaluating a characteristic of a body, the method comprising the step of observing an image of skin or hair with the device of claim 1.

45. A method according to claim 44, further comprising the steps of:

comparing the observed image with reference images; and

selecting a reference image based on said comparing step.

46. A method according to claim 45, wherein the observing step comprises observing a contrast between light which comprises both a reflected component and a backscattered component and light which essentially comprises a backscattered component.

47. A method according to claim 44, further comprising the steps of illuminating the zone under examination with polarized light, and observing said zone with a polarization analyzer.

48. A method according to claim 45, further comprising displaying the reference images on a screen of a computer.

49. A method according to claim 48, further comprising transmitting the reference images to the computer from a server over a computer network prior to the displaying step.

50. A method according to claim 49, further comprising transmitting to the server an indication representative of the selected reference image.

51. A method according to claim 44, wherein a same device is used successively or simultaneously to perform at least two types of observation selected from the group consisting of:

observation under diffuse lighting;

observation under grazing light;

observation under directional lighting;

observation by transillumination;

observation under polarized light using a non-crossed polarizer;

observation under polarized light using a crossed polarizer;

observation while compressing the skin;

observation without compressing the skin;

observation while stretching the skin;

observation without stretching the skin;

observation while creasing the skin; and

observation without creasing the skin.

52. A method according to claim 44, further comprising the steps of:

performing a cosmetic treatment; and

observing another image of said skin or hair in order to detect any change in said characteristic and to determine the effectiveness of the treatment.

53. A method according to claim 44, wherein the step of observing is performed by transillumination and further comprises the step of measuring a distance beyond which light diffusion is no longer visible.

54. A tool for evaluating the skin, the tool comprising:

two portions applicable to the skin;

a connection which couples said two portions; and

at least one resilient member coupled to said connection and urging the two portions apart from each other,

wherein said two portions are movable relative to each other between a position at which the two portions are close together and a position at which the two portions are spaced apart.

55. A device for observing a zone of a body, comprising:

a support; and

an assembly movable relative to said support and defining a viewing element through which said zone can be observed;

wherein said assembly changes an incidence of light on said zone when said assembly moves from a first position to a second position.

56. A device according to claim 55, further comprising an optical element positioned on a path of said light.

57. A device according to claim 56, wherein said optical element comprises a diffuser.

58. A device according to claim 55, further comprising a light source coupled to said assembly.

59. A device according to claim 58, wherein said light source comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes.

60. A device for observing a zone of a body, comprising:

a support;

an assembly defining a viewing element through which said zone can be observed; and

an optical element positioned on a path of a light incident on said zone, said optical element being movable relative to said support,

wherein said optical element changes an incidence of said light on said zone when said optical element moves from a first position to a second position.

61. A device according to claim 60, wherein said optical element comprises a screen.

62. A device according to claim 60, wherein said optical element comprises a polarizer.

63. A device according to claim 60, farther comprising a light source coupled to said assembly.

64. A device according to claim 63, wherein said light source comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes.

65. A device according to claim 60, wherein said assembly comprises a polarizer.

66. A device according to claim 65, wherein said assembly comprises two polarizers.

67. A device according to claim 60, wherein said assembly comprises a lens.