Systems and methods for the analysis of mechanical properties of materials
First Claim
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1. A system for deriving at least one mechanical property of a skin and tissue, the system comprising:
- (a) an excitation generator configured to generate a predetermined excitation at a predetermined time;
(b) a first elongated member having a first distal end configured to contact the skin at a first position;
(c) a second elongated member that has a second distal end configured to contact the skin at a second position spaced apart from the first position, the second elongated member including a flexion element that is constrained in two different spaced apart places and that is configured to apply a first strain tangentially to the skin in a first direction in response to the predetermined excitation;
(d) a detection element configured to measure a parameter of the first flexion element in response to the predetermined excitation; and
(e) a processing system to calculate the at least one mechanical property of the skin and tissue based on the parameter measured by the detection element.
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Abstract
The various embodiments of the present invention relate generally to the analysis of the mechanical properties of materials. More particularly, the various embodiments of the present invention relates to systems and methods of deriving the static and dynamic mechanical properties of deformative materials, for example, but not limited to, biological surfaces. The systems and methods of the present invention can be used to derive and evaluate the mechanical properties of many biological surfaces and subsurfaces, including but not limited to the skin.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A system for deriving at least one mechanical property of a skin and tissue, the system comprising:
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(a) an excitation generator configured to generate a predetermined excitation at a predetermined time; (b) a first elongated member having a first distal end configured to contact the skin at a first position; (c) a second elongated member that has a second distal end configured to contact the skin at a second position spaced apart from the first position, the second elongated member including a flexion element that is constrained in two different spaced apart places and that is configured to apply a first strain tangentially to the skin in a first direction in response to the predetermined excitation; (d) a detection element configured to measure a parameter of the first flexion element in response to the predetermined excitation; and (e) a processing system to calculate the at least one mechanical property of the skin and tissue based on the parameter measured by the detection element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for measuring a mechanical property of a surface, comprising the steps of:
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(a) placing a first elongated member against the surface; (b) applying an excitation to a first flexion element, a portion of which is in contact with the surface at a position that is spaced apart from the first elongated member, thereby causing the first flexion element to apply a strain tangentially to the surface; (c) measuring a deflection of the first flexion element when the excitation is being applied thereto; and (d) calculating, using a digital processor, the mechanical property of the surface based on the strain and the deflection. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification