Method for evaluation of erythema utilizing skin reflectance measurements
First Claim
1. A method for determining erythema, said method comprising:
- establishing a predetermined physiologic measure based upon blood content with respect to a patient;
exposing the skin of said patient to radiation and collecting said radiation reflected from said skin;
utilizing said collected radiation to provide an indication of skin reflectance measure; and
relating said indication of skin reflectance measure to said predetermined physiologic measure to thereby provide an indication of the extent of erythema with respect to the skin of said patient.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method is disclosed for evaluating erythema utilizing skin reflection measurements. By collecting and analyzing data representative of both normal and erythematous skin utilizing reflectance spectra within a range of 400 to 700 nm, distinctive spectral features of erythema have been identified. A relationship representing a function of normal and erythematous skin reflectance at three specific wavelengths (500 nm, 550 nm, and 595 nm) was developed to provide an absolute measure of the vascular response of the skin, which measure is independent of pigmentation characteristics of the skin and takes into consideration normal fluctuations in skin color. By varying the exposure of the skin to radiation from a predetermined source and then measuring the reflectance of the skin at particular time periods and at a plurality (preferably three) of different wavelengths, the relative changes in superficial blood volume due to erythema are isolated. The method is thus useful for monitoring dosage dependence and time response of erythema, and is particularly well suited, for example, for determining sensitivity of skin to ultraviolet radiation, evaluation of sun screening agents and/or screening of individuals for susceptibility to irritation and/or irritants.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for determining erythema, said method comprising:
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establishing a predetermined physiologic measure based upon blood content with respect to a patient; exposing the skin of said patient to radiation and collecting said radiation reflected from said skin; utilizing said collected radiation to provide an indication of skin reflectance measure; and relating said indication of skin reflectance measure to said predetermined physiologic measure to thereby provide an indication of the extent of erythema with respect to the skin of said patient. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for definitive evaluation of erythema by multi-spectral skin reflectance analysis, said method comprising:
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establishing an absolute physiologic measure based upon blood content with respect to a patient and forming output signals representative thereof; directing radiation at a predetermined plurality of wavelengths at the skin of a patient; collecting said radiation reflected from the skin of said patient at said predetermined wavelengths and providing therefrom output signals indicative of the reflectance of said skin; and relating said output signals from said collected radiation to said output signals representative of said established absolute physiologic measure to thereby form an evaluation of erythema then present at the skin of said patient. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. A method for evaluation of erythema present at the skin of a patient, said method comprising:
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establishing a relationship between skin reflectance and skin absorption and scattering properties; measuring skin reflectance of both normal and erythematous skin; determining from said established relationship and said skin reflectance measurements the blood volume due to erythema; and utilizing said determination of blood volume to indicate the extent of erythema. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. A method for determining erythema, said method comprising:
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establishing an erythema parameter that is a function of normal and erythematous skin reflectance at 500 nm, 550 nm, and 595 nm; exposing the skin of a patient to ultraviolet radiation; collecting ultraviolet radiation reflected from the skin of said patient at wavelengths of 500 nm, 550 nm, and 595 nm; and relating said collected ultraviolet radiation with said established erythema parameter to derive therefrom the extent of erythema present at the skin of said patient. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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Specification