Device for the identification of acne, microcomedones, and bacteria on human skin

• US 5,760,407 A
• Filed: 07/31/1997
• Issued: 06/02/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Elizabeth Arden Company Division of Conopco Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Elizabeth Arden Company Division of Conopco Incorporated
• Inventors: Margosiak, Marion Louise, Knaggs, Helen Elizabeth, Aronson, Michael Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Glick, Edward J.
• Application Number:
  US08/903,967
• Time in Patent Office: 306 Days
• Field of Search: 250/461.1, 250/461.2, 600/476
• US Class Current: 250/461.2
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0071 by measuring fluorescence emission
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/445 Evaluating skin irritation or skin trauma, e.g. rash, eczema, wound, bed sore

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and a method for the identification of fluorescing follicles that can be follicular impactions and/or microcomedones (clinically non-evident acne lesions), and/or comedones (clinically evident acne lesions) and/or bacteria on the face or other skin surface area. The inventive device allows the detection of both types of follicular fluorescence (yellow/green and orange/red). For safety reasons, to prevent skin burns and erythema, the filter on the ultraviolet light source removes substantially all the harmful UVB radiation (280-320 nm wavelength range). The filter used in conjunction with the detection means removes reflected and scattered light emanating from the subject'"'"'s skin surface, thus increasing the sensitivity and discretion of the technique and making fluorescence detection easier and clearer.

Claims

1. A safe device for detecting non-bacterial follicular impactions, microcomedones and comedones on human skin, the device comprising:

(a) an ultraviolet light source in conjunction with a longpass filter which removes substantially all light below 350 nm for illuminating said skin;

(b) a fluorescence detection means in conjunction with a filter or a plurality of filters which pass light in the wavelength range 480-580 nm, such that the detection means is able to detect fluorescent light from said skin within the 500-580 nm wavelength range (yellow/green fluorescence).

2. A safe device for detecting bacterial follicular impactions, microcomedones and comedones on human skin, the device comprising:

(a) an ultraviolet light source in conjunction with a longpass filter which removes substantially all light below 350 nm for illuminating said skin;

(b) a fluorescence detection means in conjunction with a filter or a plurality of filters which pass light in the wavelength range 580-680 nm, such that the detection means is able to detect fluorescent light from said skin within the 580-680 nm wavelength range (orange/red fluorescence).

3. A method of distinguishing between bacterial (orange/red fluorescence) and non-bacterial (yellow/green fluorescence) follicular impactions, microcomedones and comedones on human skin, the method comprising:

(a) illuminating the skin with light from an ultraviolet light source in conjunction with a longpass filter which removes substantially all light below 350 nm to cause fluorescence of the skin;

(b) detecting yellow/green fluorescence and orange/red fluorescence by using a detection means in conjunction with a filter or a plurality of filters which remove substantially all light below 480 nm and pass light in the wavelength range from 480 nm to 680 nm, such that the detection means is able to detect fluorescent light from said skin within the 500-580 nm wavelength range (yellow/green fluorescence) and within the 580-680 nm wavelength range (orange/red fluorescence).

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the detection means is selected from the group consisting of human eyes, a film emulsion camera, and a CCD camera.