Abstract:
Acoustic systems and methods for evaluating skin texture are disclosed. An acoustic system comprises an acoustic isolation box containing: 1) a guiding device having a sound generator attached thereto, 2) and means for capturing sound.

Description:
[0001]    The present invention relates to an acoustic system and method for evaluating skin texture. The system and method may be used, for example, for determining skin type, diagnosing appropriate skin treatments and assessing skin changes. The method is particularly useful for demonstrating the effectiveness of cosmetic products for improving skin surface properties, such as smoothness and wrinkle and fine line reduction. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Determination of skin surface texture is of great importance in the field of dermatology. Skin texture can be used for skin diagnostics and evaluation of therapeutic or cosmetic treatments. Evaluation of skin texture by means of visual inspection or touch has been performed for centuries. Experienced professionals such as dermatologists can assess changes in the skin with great accuracy. With advances in technology, the ability to evaluate skin texture has become a powerful adjunct methodology when evaluating a skin condition. Some technologies can provide quantitative measurements, improving the accuracy of the diagnostic tool. 
         [0003]    WO 2005/046474 discloses an acoustic emission system for objectively measuring tactile skin attributes and methods of using the same. The system includes a means for generating an acoustic emission signal from skin; a means for collecting, storing and displaying said emission signal; and a means for correlating said emission signal with an attribute of said skin. In particular, the system uses acoustic signals generated from the frictional forces generated from skin/skin contact (rubbing of the hand or finger on another skin part). These generate vibration patterns sensed by a probe placed near the skin/skin contact area. 
         [0004]    However, this method introduces several variables that affect the measurements. First, as acknowledged in the document, “since acoustic emission depends on the speed of the rubbing and the pressure at the skin/skin contact, several recordings are performed for a given subject . . . ” Moreover, the method is performed in an open area (either in air or water) and therefore does not filter out background noise effectively, especially when performed in air. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, an improved acoustic system and method for evaluating skin texture have been developed that minimize the interference of external sounds and provide excellent sensitivity to sound. The system comprises an acoustic isolation box to remove background noise from the evaluation area. This is important in that the sounds being measured have a very low volume. In addition, the system comprises a guiding device attached to a sound generator for generating a uniform and consistent measurement. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The invention provides an acoustic system for evaluating skin texture, comprising an acoustic isolation box, a guiding device having a sound generator attached thereto, and means for capturing sound. 
         [0007]    The invention also provides method for evaluating skin texture using a system comprising an acoustic isolation box containing: 1) a guiding device having a sound generator attached thereto, 2) and means for capturing sound, said method comprising: placing a portion of skin into contact with the sound generator inside the acoustic isolation box; moving the guiding device such that the sound generator slidably contacts the skin to generate sound; capturing the sound; and comparing the captured sound to a predetermined standard. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a system according to the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a front view of a system according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The acoustic isolation box is sized appropriately to receive a portion of skin. For example, the acoustic isolation box may be sized to accommodate a forearm. It comprises an opening for inserting the skin. The acoustic isolation box is made to minimize sounds external to the box, thereby maximizing the sensitivity of the system to the sound generated inside the box from the skin. 
         [0011]    The acoustic isolation box may be made from materials known in the art. For example, the box may be made with polyurethane foam (for instance 35 mm) on the inside, a heavy bituminous membrane (for instance 5.5 mm) and a cellulose fiber membrane (for instance 38 mm), such as Isofon on the outside. 
         [0012]    In one embodiment, the acoustic isolation box is capable of reducing external noise by at least 5 dB inside the box. 
         [0013]    The guiding device moves the sound generator, discussed below, along the skin being evaluated in a sliding fashion. The guiding device may, for example, be a linear translation table. In one embodiment, the guiding device moves the sound generator longitudinally along the skin. The guiding device can be located within the isolation box or at least partially outside said box. 
         [0014]    The system may optionally comprise a motor for moving the guiding device. One suitable example of a combination motor and guiding device is the Mac23 brushless motor from Midi Ingenierie. The motor may have a controller card, such as the Mac24-1 having 10000 points resolution from Midi Ingenierie. The motor may be controlled by Macsim V 5 software from Midi Ingenierie. 
         [0015]    The sound generator may be any type of object that generates sound when dragged across or slidably contacted with the skin. For example, the sound generator may be in the form of a card made of paper, cardboard, metal, plastic, or any other suitable material that does not harm the skin. The shape and thickness of the sound generator may be adjusted depending on the skin surface to be tested and the flexibility of the material from which it is made. Generally, in the case of a card, the card may be from 100 micrometers to 0.5 centimeters thick. 
         [0016]    The sound generator is attached to the guiding device by methods available in the art. For example, the sound generator may be attached to the guiding device by springs. The sound generator is usually placed entirely within the isolation box. 
         [0017]    The sound generator is preferably designed to deliver a constant pressure against the skin of from 0.001 Pa to 10 Pa. 
         [0018]    Any means for capturing sound may be utilized in the system of the present invention. For example, a Gras-40AE 0.5 inch microphone from Oros France is suitable. The microphone may have a preamplifier, such as a Gras-26CA 0.5 inch preamplifier from Oros France. 
         [0019]    The means for capturing sound should be sensitive to a signal with a frequency from 0.5 Hz to 22000 Hz. 
         [0020]    In one embodiment, the means for capturing sound is connected to a computer. For example, the means for capturing sound may be a microphone that utilizes a sound card, for example a Duo USB 24 bits/96 kHz sound card from M-Audio that is useful for connection to a computer. Sound recorder software, such as Praat Version 4.2.19 may be useful for capturing sounds and evaluating them on the computer. 
         [0021]    The system according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the Figures. In the embodiment seen in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the system  10  includes a motor  2   a  and guiding device  2 . The system may include a support  1 , e.g. a wooden support, for resting the portion of skin to be tested. In this embodiment, a metal rod  3  is connected to the motor  2   a  and guiding device  2 . At the distal end of the rod  3  are attachment means  7  for sound generator  6 . In the example illustrated, attachment means  7  are springs and the sound generator  6  is a card. Means for capturing sound  8 , e.g. a microphone, can be attached to rod  3 . Acoustic isolation box  4  surrounds the testing area, including the means for capturing sound and sound generator. The acoustic isolation box is equipped with opening  5  for insertion of the skin to be measured, e.g. the skin of a forearm. 
         [0022]    According to the invention, the texture of a sample of skin may be evaluated using this system as follows. The sample is placed into contact with the sound generator inside the acoustic isolation box; the guiding device is moved such that the sound generator slidably contacts the skin to generate sound; the sound is captured by the means for capturing sound; and the captured sound compared to a predetermined standard. 
         [0023]    The captured sound may be compared to the predetermined standard, for example by volume in decibels (“dB”), or by processing the signal through an algorithm. 
         [0024]    Suitable methods of processing sound signals are known and include Fourier transformation, wavelet, and discrete cosine transformation. Data mining techniques, such as neural networks, support vector machines, partial least square regression, and principle component analysis may be utilized to find the best sound descriptors. 
         [0025]    Using the system and method of the present invention, for example, the sound of a baby&#39;s skin may be recorded as a predetermined standard. An adult&#39;s skin sound may then be captured and compared to the baby&#39;s skin sound according to the invention. 
         [0026]    In one embodiment, the system and method enable a consumer to determine if one or more skin care products are improving her skin texture. For example, a portion of her skin may evaluated according to the invention before the use of a certain skin care product, for example a moisturizer, and then be re-evaluated after use of the skin care product. A baby&#39;s skin sound may be used as the predetermined standard. If the consumer&#39;s skin sound has become more like the baby&#39;s skin sound, it may be concluded that the consumer&#39;s skin texture has improved. 
         [0027]    The following example further illustrates the claimed invention. 
       EXAMPLE 1 
       [0028]    An acoustic system according to the invention was assembled as follows. A Mac23 brushless motor from Midi Ingenierie having a Mac24-1 controller card (also from Midi Ingenierie) was used. The controller card had 10000 points resolution. The motor was controlled by Macsim V 5 software from Midi Ingenierie. A cardboard care was used as a sound generator. The sound generator was attached to the motor by springs. The motor and card were designed to deliver a constant pressure against the skin of from 0.001 Pa to 10 Pa. 
         [0029]    An acoustic isolation box was sized appropriately to receive a human forearm and hold the components described above. The acoustic isolation box was made from 35 mm of polyurethane foam on the inside, 5.5 mm of a heavy bituminous membrane and 38 mm of Isofon cellulose fiber membrane on the outside. The acoustic isolation box reduced external noise by greater than 5 dB. A Gras-40AE 0.5 inch microphone from Oros France was used to capture the sound. The microphone had a Gras-26CA 0.5 preamplifier. The microphone was sensitive to a signal with a frequency from 0.5 Hz to 22000 Hz. The microphone utilized a Duo USB 24 bits/96 kHz sound card from M-Audio, and was connected to a computer. Praat Version 4.2.19 sound recorder software was used for capturing sounds and comparing them on the computer. 
         [0030]    Experiments were performed to determine skin texture differences between old and young skin using this system. Adult human subjects with normal skin, dry skin, and moisturized skin were tested. Frequency in Hz was determined as a function of Power Spectral Density in dB/Hz. The data for moisturized skin was clearly below the data for dry skin and normal skin. 
         [0031]    In a separate experiment, baby and adult skin were compared for sound intensities in dB. The baby skin generated 7.48 dB of sound while the adult skin generated 10.33 dB of sound. The adult skin was then treated with a moisturizing lotion. After treatment, the adult skin generated 8.17 dB of sound.