JP3014104B2 - Skin surface enlargement device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a skin surface enlarging device capable of enlarging and imaging a skin surface.

[Conventional technology]

The condition of a person's skin varies widely depending on the person's age, environment, care methods, and the like, and it is an important cosmetic issue to use cosmetics suitable for the person. Therefore, recently, at a cosmetics store, a customer's skin surface is enlarged on a TV monitor to evaluate its fineness and the like.

An example of such a skin surface enlarging apparatus is an apparatus shown in FIG. 6 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-198129).
This device has an image fiber scope 2 attached in front of a photographing lens of an ITV camera 1. The light guide, the objective lens, and the image guide fiber incorporated in a distal end portion 3 of the image fiber scope 2 work. The skin surface is photographed by ITV camera 1, and this image is displayed on TV
The image is projected on the monitor 4. Reference numeral 5 denotes a light source, which transmits illumination light to the image fiber scope tip 3 via an image guide fiber.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

However, in the above-described apparatus, the image fiber scope 2 is covered with a slightly hard coating material so as not to bend too flexibly in order to protect the image guide fiber passing therethrough. For this reason, even when trying to obtain an enlarged image by delicately moving around the eye or nose of the subject, the tip 3 is difficult to move smoothly, resulting in poor operability.

On the other hand, as an apparatus for enlarging the skin surface without using an image fiber scope, an apparatus shown in FIG.
No. 164438). This device uses an imaging head 10 having a built-in solid-state imaging device instead of a conventional ITV camera and image fiber scope, and has a main body 11 having a light source and image processing means.
In addition, a light guide 12 and a cable 13 for transmitting an image signal
And an imaging head 10 connected to the main body 11, and a TV monitor 14. As shown in FIG. 8, the imaging head 10 includes a solid-state imaging device (CCD circuit) 17 and an objective lens 18 built in a casing including an outer cylinder 15 and an inner cylinder 16. The emission end 12a of the light guide 12 extending from the outside of the tube 15 and the inner tube 16 is drawn into the distal end side of the inner tube 16. Therefore, the tip of the inner cylinder 16 of the imaging head 10 is pressed against the skin surface, and the light emitting end of the light guide 12 is pressed.
While irradiating the skin surface from 12a, an image can be taken by the solid-state imaging device 17 via the objective lens 18. The imaging signal is sent to the main unit 11 via the cable 13, and the TV monitor
According to FIG. 14, an enlarged image of the skin surface can be obtained.

However, in the above device, the illumination is performed by the emission end 12a of the light guide 12, and since the emission end 12a is not sufficiently fixed, the irradiation direction is not determined, and the image on the TV monitor 14 becomes dark. And has the drawback of becoming brighter and brighter. Further, since the image is obtained by illumination from one direction, the strength of the shadow generated by the angle of the unevenness is different (for example, even on an uneven surface, a shadow is generated on a surface that receives light over the entire surface. No), it is difficult to accurately observe the unevenness of the skin surface.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a skin surface enlargement device that can accurately image irregularities on the skin surface by uniformly irradiating the skin surface with vertical light.

[Means for solving the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, a skin surface enlarging device according to the present invention includes an imaging head for enlarging an image of the skin surface by pressing the tip against the skin surface and converting the image to an electric signal, and a light for illumination on the imaging head. A light source for providing an image signal, image conversion means for processing an electric signal from the imaging head to convert the signal into an image display signal, and image display means for receiving the image display signal and displaying an image. The imaging head has a tubular body made of a light guide having an objective lens built therein, and a CCD circuit and a circle line light built therein, and is externally fitted to the base side of the tubular body and coaxially supported. An outer cylinder casing for receiving, a bottomed cylindrical casing having an opening at the center of the bottom surface of the bottom, and being externally fixed to the tip side of the cylindrical body, and a light from the light source, the outer cylinder being connected via an optical fiber. Circle line lie in casing Light transmission means for transmitting light to the upper end surface of the light guide tubular body therefrom, and the outer peripheral surface at the lower end of the tubular body is formed as a tapered surface inclined inward, and Inside the cylindrical body, the light is totally reflected at a right angle, and light is emitted from the light emitting surface toward the central axis direction of the cylindrical body. Once a tapered hollow truncated cone-shaped reflecting mirror is attached, light emitted from the cylindrical body is reflected by the reflecting mirror, and the skin surface surrounded by the bottom opening of the bottomed cylindrical casing , The light is emitted vertically.

[Action]

That is, the present invention provides a skin surface enlarging device of the type using an imaging head, instead of extending the light guide to the vicinity of the skin surface as in the related art, but inside the bottomed cylindrical casing at the distal end that presses against the skin surface. After providing a cylindrical body made of a light guide, light from a light source is allowed to enter the upper end surface of the cylindrical body via an optical fiber and a circle line light, and then, at a tapered surface at a lower end portion of the cylindrical body. The reflected light is radiated toward the center of the cylindrical body, and the radiated light is radiated perpendicularly to the skin surface surrounded by the distal end opening via a reflecting mirror. Therefore, the illumination on the skin surface is vertical epi-illumination, and irregular reflections are caused even by subtle irregularities on the skin surface, and appear as shadows. For this reason, it is possible to obtain an image in which subtle irregularities on the skin surface are accurately distinguished between light and dark, and an objective evaluation can be given to the skin.

Further, since the cylindrical body itself is formed of a light guide, the illumination position does not become unstable unlike the case using a light guide, and the light quantity does not change during measurement.

Next, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention. This skin surface enlarging device includes an imaging head 20 whose tip opening is pressed against the skin surface, a main body 21, and a TV monitor 22.
And Reference numeral 23 denotes a power switch for turning on and off the power.

As shown in FIG. 2, the imaging head 20 has a bottomed tubular casing (hereinafter referred to as “tip casing”) 29 that constitutes a distal end pressed against the skin surface P, and a tubular casing (hereinafter referred to as “tip casing”) that constitutes a root side. (Hereinafter referred to as "root casing")
The casing 31 includes a cylindrical body 30 having both ends connected to the inner peripheral surfaces of the two casings 29, 31, and an opening 28 is formed at the center of the bottom surface of the tip casing 29. The tip casing 29 is made of a lightweight metal (for example, aluminum) or ordinary plastic, and is integrally attached to the outer peripheral surface of the lower end of the tubular body 30. The cylindrical body 30 is formed of a light guide (for example, a special acrylic resin). Inside the cylindrical body 30, there is a truncated cone-shaped reflecting mirror 33 having a small diameter portion directed downward from the bottom side. A first objective lens 34 and a second objective lens 35 are mounted coaxially. The lower end of the cylindrical body 30 has a tapered surface 30b on the outside so that light is totally internally reflected at right angles. An inner surface corresponding to the tapered surface 30b is formed on a light emitting surface 30a, and light traveling inside the cylindrical body 30 is reflected at its lower end by hitting the tapered surface 30b and is reflected by the light emitting surface 30a.
Irradiates toward the center from the center. Further, the root casing 31 is made of lightweight metal or plastic, similarly to the tip casing 29,
Inside, in order from the bottom, circle line light 3
6. A CCD circuit board 37 is coaxially mounted. An optical fiber 38 extends from the base side of the imaging head 20 to the circle line light 36 so that light is transmitted from a light source in the main body 21. The CCD circuit board 37
The image signal obtained by the above is sent into the main body 21 by the cable 39. The optical fiber 38 and the cable 39 are
It is covered with a bellows-like flexible tube 40. The connection between the root casing 31 and the cylindrical body 30 is as follows.
Projections 41 provided at two places outside the upper side wall of the cylindrical body 30
And an elongated hole 42 formed at the lower end of the side wall of the root casing 31.
(Refer to FIG. 3), and a cylindrical body
30 is rotatable. Accordingly, when the cylindrical body 30 is rotated by ± 90 ° in the circumferential direction, the cylindrical body 30
It expands and contracts as shown by arrows in the figure. Due to the expansion and contraction, the distance between the light receiving portion 37a of the CCD circuit board 37 and the skin surface P changes (for example, ± 1.5 mm), so that the focus adjustment of the image can be easily performed.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, a light source 45 for transmitting light to a circle line light 36 in the imaging head 20 and an instruction signal to a CCD circuit board 37 in the imaging head 20 are provided in the main body 21. Logic 46 and driver 47 that give
Signal processing circuit 48 for processing image signals from D circuit board 37
And a still image processing circuit 49. The processed signal output from the signal processing circuit 48 is sent to the TV monitor 22 to be imaged.

Using this device, an enlarged image of the skin surface can be displayed on the TV monitor 22 as follows, for example. That is, first, the power switch 23 of the main body 21 is turned on, and the tip of the imaging head 20 is pressed against the skin surface of the subject. Illumination on the skin surface is performed by light transmitted from a light source 45 in the main body 21. The light transmission path is a light source 45 → an optical fiber 38 → a circle line light 36 in the imaging head 20 → a cylindrical body 30. Then, the light that has reached the tip through the inside of the cylindrical body 30 is, as described above, the light emitting surface thereof.
After irradiating from the center 30a toward the center as shown by the arrow Q in FIG. 2, the light is reflected by the reflecting mirror 33 as shown by the arrow R, and irradiates the inside of the opening 28 vertically. Therefore, epi-illumination is vertically applied to the skin surface surrounded by the opening 28 from above, and even a slight unevenness on the skin surface causes irregular reflection of vertical light to produce a shadow. The skin surface thus illuminated has two objective lenses in the cylindrical body 30.
It is expanded through 34 and 35 and decoded by the CCD circuit board 37 and replaced with an electric signal. This signal is
The signal is sent into the main unit 21 through the signal processor 48, processed by the signal processing circuit 48 (see FIG. 4), and then imaged on the TV monitor 22.
The main unit 21 is provided with a switch (not shown) for selecting whether to convert the image into a moving image or a still image (not shown). When a still image is selected by the switch, a still image processing circuit is provided. 49 functions to freeze the image on the TV monitor 22. In addition, as described above, the image is focused by rotating the cylindrical body 30 of the imaging head 20 to adjust the protruding length.

As shown in FIG. 5, a flange portion 29a may be provided on the outer wall of the distal end of the distal end casing 29 in a direction perpendicular to the cylindrical body. The flange portion 29a may be formed as a part of the tip casing 29 by integral molding, or a donut-shaped resin plate may be separately formed, and may be attached to the tip portion of the tip casing 29. . When the flange portion 29a is provided, the skin is pressed with a large area at the time of measurement, so that the skin surface surrounded by the opening 28 does not bulge due to the recoil of the surrounding pressing. Accordingly, the measurement surface becomes substantially flat, and a clear enlarged image can be obtained.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the skin surface enlarging device of the present invention, the light guide tubular body is provided above the tip opening of the imaging head surrounding the skin surface, and the optical fiber and the circle are provided. The radiation emitted from the lower end of the cylindrical body, which is incident on the upper end surface of the cylindrical body via a line light, is further reflected by a reflecting mirror to illuminate the skin surface vertically as epi-illumination. As a result, it is possible to obtain a magnified image in which light and dark areas are distinguished accurately even from subtle irregularities on the skin. Therefore, by observing the number of light and dark areas and the manner of distribution, it is possible to objectively evaluate the fineness of the skin and the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an imaging head of the above-mentioned embodiment, and FIG. 3 is an explanation of a connecting portion between a tubular body of the imaging head and a root casing. FIG. 4, FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a light path and an electric signal path in the above embodiment, FIG. 5 is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing a modification of the imaging head of the above embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a structural view showing another conventional example, and FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the imaging head of the other conventional example. 20 …… Imaging head, 21 …… Main part, 22 …… TV monitor,
28 ... opening, 29 ... tip casing, 30 ... tubular body, 30
a ... Light emitting surface, 31 ... Root casing, 33 ... Reflector, 34,35 ... Objective lens, 36 ... Circle line light, 37 ... CCD circuit board, 38 ... Optical fiber, 39 ... cable

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A bar-shaped imaging head for enlarging an image of a skin surface by pressing a tip portion against the skin surface and converting the image to an electric signal, a light source for providing illumination light to the imaging head, and A skin surface enlargement device comprising: an image conversion means for processing the electric signal of the above to convert the electric signal into an image display signal; and an image display means for receiving the image display signal and displaying an image. A tubular body made of a light guide with a built-in lens, an outer tubular casing with a built-in CCD circuit and a circle line light, fitted externally to the base side of the tubular body and coaxially receiving it, and a bottom end surface A bottomed cylindrical casing having an opening at the center and externally fitted and fixed to the distal end side of the cylindrical body, and transmitting light from the light source to a circle line light in the outer cylindrical casing via an optical fiber. , From which further the light guide Light transmitting means for making light incident on the upper end surface of the cylindrical body, wherein the outer peripheral surface at the lower end of the cylindrical body is formed on a tapered surface inclined inward, and the light is totally reflected inside at a right angle to radiate light. Light is emitted from the surface in the direction of the central axis of the cylindrical body, and inside the lower end opening of the cylindrical body, a hollow frusto-conical reflection tapering forward toward the tip end. A mirror is attached, and light radiated from the cylindrical body is reflected by the reflecting mirror, so that vertical light irradiation is performed on the skin surface surrounded by the bottom opening of the bottomed cylindrical casing. A skin surface enlarging device, characterized in that: 2. Around the tip of the bottomed cylindrical casing,
The skin surface enlarging device according to claim 1, wherein a flange portion is provided in a direction perpendicular to the cylindrical body.