US20180103915A1 - Operation processing aparatus calculating numerical value representing skin barrier function, equipument, computer readable medium, and method for evaluating skin barrier function - Google Patents
Operation processing aparatus calculating numerical value representing skin barrier function, equipument, computer readable medium, and method for evaluating skin barrier function Download PDFInfo
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- US20180103915A1 US20180103915A1 US15/296,385 US201615296385A US2018103915A1 US 20180103915 A1 US20180103915 A1 US 20180103915A1 US 201615296385 A US201615296385 A US 201615296385A US 2018103915 A1 US2018103915 A1 US 2018103915A1
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
- A61B5/72—Signal processing specially adapted for physiological signals or for diagnostic purposes
- A61B5/7271—Specific aspects of physiological measurement analysis
- A61B5/7278—Artificial waveform generation or derivation, e.g. synthesising signals from measured signals
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
- A61B5/05—Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves
- A61B5/053—Measuring electrical impedance or conductance of a portion of the body
- A61B5/0531—Measuring skin impedance
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
- A61B5/44—Detecting, measuring or recording for evaluating the integumentary system, e.g. skin, hair or nails
- A61B5/441—Skin evaluation, e.g. for skin disorder diagnosis
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
- A61B5/74—Details of notification to user or communication with user or patient ; user input means
- A61B5/742—Details of notification to user or communication with user or patient ; user input means using visual displays
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F17/00—Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions
- G06F17/10—Complex mathematical operations
- G06F17/11—Complex mathematical operations for solving equations, e.g. nonlinear equations, general mathematical optimization problems
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an operation processing apparatus calculating a numerical value representing a skin barrier function, equipment, a computer readable medium, and a method for evaluating the skin barrier function, and in particular, to the operation processing apparatus and the like for accurately calculating a numerical value representing the skin barrier function in a wide range of skin conditions.
- ⁇ 2 ⁇ f ⁇ t, where ⁇ t is delay time measured using the AC signal and the detection signal, and f is frequency of the AC, can be satisfied.
- the ⁇ changes based on the delay time measured using the AC signal and the detection signal (hereinafter, the same holds true for a relation of the delay time measured using the AC signal and the detection signal and ⁇ ).
Abstract
The goal of the present invention is to calculate with high accuracy a numerical value representing skin barrier function in a wide range of skin conditions. Provided is an operation processing apparatus calculates a first variable based on delay time measured using an alternating-current (AC) signal generated by the AC signal generation circuit and a signal applied by an application electrode and passing through skin and stores the first variable calculated by the processor as a calculation result. The operation processing apparatus calculates a numerical value representing the skin barrier function based on the calculation result.
Description
- The present invention relates to an operation processing apparatus calculating a numerical value representing a skin barrier function, equipment, a computer readable medium, and a method for evaluating the skin barrier function, and in particular, to the operation processing apparatus and the like for accurately calculating a numerical value representing the skin barrier function in a wide range of skin conditions.
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FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a skin barrier function measurement circuit including a conventional operation processing apparatus. The skin barrier function measurement circuit described inFIG. 11 has adisplay device 501, anoperation processing apparatus 502, asignal generator 503, adetector 505, anapplication electrode 504, and adetection electrode 506. - After the
application electrode 504 and thedetection electrode 506 are made contact with skin, an alternating-current (AC) signal generated by thesignal generator 503 is applied to the skin by theapplication electrode 504. After the AC signal passes through a skinsurface stratum corneum 507 and anepidermal layer 508 in the skin, the AC signal is detected by thedetector 505 through thedetection electrode 506. Theoperation processing apparatus 502 performs operation processing on the detected signal to calculate a characteristic value that can be of the stratum corneum barrier function, and displays it on thedisplay device 501. -
FIG. 12 is an equipment diagram illustrating electronic equipment including the conventional operation processing apparatus. The electronic equipment has amain body 601 which has the operation processing apparatus, adisplay unit 602, aprobe 603, adetection electrode 604, and anapplication electrode 605. - An electric signal generated by the
application electrode 605 passes through skin and the passed signal is detected through thedetection electrode 604. The operation processing apparatus performs specified operation processing on the detected electric signal to calculate a susceptance value, an admittance value and the like. A characteristic value corresponding to the stratum corneum barrier function is calculated based on these values. The characteristic value is displayed on thedisplay unit 602. - However, in the field of the invention, the electronic equipment including the conventional operation processing apparatus is required to accurately calculate a numerical value representing a skin barrier function in a wide range of skin conditions from a normal condition to a rough skin condition, in which a stratum corneum is totally exfoliated, or the like.
- The present invention is directed to an operation processing apparatus which can accurately calculate a numerical value representing a skin barrier function in a wide range of skin conditions, electronic equipment, a computer readable storage medium and an evaluation method of the skin barrier function.
- To achieve the above object, an operation processing apparatus calculates a numerical value representing a skin barrier function based on a first variable based on delay time measured using an alternating-current (AC) signal generated by an AC signal generation circuit and a signal applied by an application electrode and passing through skin.
- The operation processing apparatus in the present invention can accurately calculate a numerical value representing a skin barrier function in a wide range of skin conditions.
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FIG. 1 is an equipment diagram illustrating electronic equipment including an operation processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is an equipment diagram illustrating a probe of the electronic equipment shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating a skin barrier function measurement circuit included in the electronic equipment according to the first embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating operations of the skin barrier function measurement circuit shown inFIG. 3 ; -
FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram illustrating a skin barrier function measurement circuit of electronic equipment including an operation processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating operations of the skin barrier function measurement circuit shown inFIG. 5 ; -
FIG. 7 is a chart illustrating a correlation of a numerical value (CB value) representing a skin barrier function and a numerical value measured by a transepidermal water loss method; -
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating operations of a skin barrier function measurement circuit of electronic equipment including an operation processing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating operations of a skin barrier function measurement circuit of electronic equipment including an operation processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 10 is a chart illustrating a correlation of a numerical value (SCT value) representing the skin barrier function and a numerical value measured by the transepidermal water loss method; -
FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a skin barrier function measurement circuit including the conventional operation processing apparatus; and -
FIG. 12 is an equipment diagram illustrating electronic equipment including the conventional operation processing apparatus. - The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the drawings. The embodiments are mere examples for the representative embodiments of the invention, and they do not by any means limit the technical scope of the invention.
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FIG. 1 is an equipment diagram illustrating electronic equipment including an operation processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention. Theelectronic equipment 1 includes amain body portion 101, adisplay unit 102, aprobe 103, and adetection electrode 104.FIG. 2 is an equipment diagram illustrating the configuration of theprobe 103. Theprobe 103 includes thedetection electrode 104, anapplication electrode 201, and aground electrode 202. Theprobe 103 is used for evaluating a skin barrier function of human skin. Theground electrode 202 of theprobe 103 prevents influence of external noise on the measurement from propagating thedetection electrode 104 and theapplication electrode 201 at the time of the measurement. - Then, operations of the
electronic equipment 1 are described. - After a power supply of the
main body portion 101 is turned on, thedetection electrode 104 and theapplication electrode 201 are made contact with skin. After a measurement start switch is turned on, a skin barrier function measurement circuit in themain body portion 101 is made to operate. The skin barrier function measurement circuit applies an alternating-current (AC) signal to the skin in which a skin barrier function is evaluated. The operation processing apparatus in theelectronic equipment 1 calculates a phase angle (hereinafter, expressed as θ) based on delay time measured using the AC signal and a signal that has passed through the skin detected by thedetection electrode 104. The detected signal is called a detection signal. The θ is an example of a first variable of the embodiment. The calculation method of the θ is described later. The operation processing apparatus, which will be described later, calculates a numerical value representing the skin barrier function with the first variable and the numerical value is displayed on thedisplay unit 102. - For example, θ=2πfΔt, where Δt is delay time measured using the AC signal and the detection signal, and f is frequency of the AC, can be satisfied. The θ changes based on the delay time measured using the AC signal and the detection signal (hereinafter, the same holds true for a relation of the delay time measured using the AC signal and the detection signal and θ).
- The configuration of the
probe 103 is not limited to the configuration ofFIG. 2 . The configuration of theprobe 103 may employ any configuration as long as it can apply an AC signal to human skin and detect a signal that has passed through the skin. Theground electrode 202 is not necessarily used if influence of the external noise on the measurement can be reduced at the time of the measurement. Theelectronic equipment 1 is not limited to the above-mentioned configuration. Theelectronic equipment 1 can apply any electronic equipment such as a mobile phone, a smart phone and a watch as long as it has the configuration capable of incorporating therein theprobe 103 and the skin barrier function measurement circuit. -
FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating the skin barrier function measurement circuit included in theelectronic equipment 1 including the operation processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention. The skin barrier function measurement circuit includes anoperation processing apparatus 301, an ACsignal generation circuit 310, asignal detection circuit 320, adetermination circuit 330, and aground terminal 340 connected to theground electrode 202. - The
operation processing apparatus 301 includes anoutput terminal 351 andinput terminals signal detection circuit 320 includes anamplification circuit 321, afilter circuit 322, acurrent detection circuit 323, and adetection resistance 324. - Then, connections of the skin barrier function measurement circuit are described. The
output terminal 351 of theoperation processing apparatus 301 is connected to input of the ACsignal generation circuit 310 and output of the ACsignal generation circuit 310 is connected to theapplication electrode 201. Theinput terminal 361 is connected to output of theamplification circuit 321 and input of thedetermination circuit 330 and theinput terminal 362 is connected to output of thedetermination circuit 330 and theamplification circuit 321. - The
detection electrode 104 is connected to one terminal of thedetection resistance 324 and input of thecurrent detection circuit 323. The other terminal of thedetection resistance 324 is connected to theground terminal 340. Output of thecurrent detection circuit 323 is connected to input of thefilter circuit 322 and output of thefilter circuit 322 is connected to input of theamplification circuit 321. - Referring to
FIG. 3 andFIG. 4 , operations of the skin barrier function measurement circuit are described. After theprobe 103 is pressed against the human skin, the measurement starts. - First, the
operation processing apparatus 301 outputs a control signal to cause the ACsignal generation circuit 310 to generate an AC signal. The ACsignal generation circuit 310 generates an AC signal using the control signal output by theoperation processing unit 301. The AC signal generated is applied to the skin by the application electrode 201 (step S401). - The
detection electrode 104 detects an AC signal passing through the skin and outputs the detection signal to thesignal detection circuit 320. Hereinafter, an AC signal detected by the detection electrode is expressed as the detection signal. Thesignal detection circuit 320 converts the detection signal into an output signal. The output signal is output by thesignal detection circuit 320 to the determination circuit 330 (step S402). - The
determination circuit 330 determines whether the output signal falls within the range that theoperation processing apparatus 301 can detect (step S403). - If the
determination circuit 330 determines that the output signal does not fall within the range that theoperation processing apparatus 301 can detect (NO at step S403), theoperation processing apparatus 301 changes gain of theamplification circuit 321 in thesignal detection circuit 320. Thereafter, the AC signal is applied to the skin by theapplication electrode 201 again (step S401) and thedetection electrode 104 detects a detection signal passing through skin and outputs the detection signal to thesignal detection circuit 320. Thesignal detection circuit 320 converts the detection signal into an output signal again (step S402). These processes are repeated until the output signal falls within the range that theoperation processing apparatus 301 can detect. - If the
determination circuit 330 determines that the output signal is a value in the detectable range (YES at step S403), theoperation processing apparatus 301 calculates θ based on delay time measured using the AC signal and the detection signal. The calculated θ is stored in a storage medium in theoperation processing apparatus 301 as a calculation result 1 (step S404). - The processor in the
operation processing apparatus 301 calculates a numerical value representing a first skin barrier function (hereinafter, expressed as a CB value) assigning θ stored as thecalculation result 1 to the following equation 1 (step S405). -
CB=a×θ+α [Equation 1] - In the equation, a and α are specified constants. The calculation method of the a and α is described later.
- The
display unit 102 displays the CB value (step S410). - The calculation method of the a and α is described. The specified constants a and α are values that are appropriately defined by the regression analysis.
- As described in the method above, θ is calculated with skins of a plurality of persons. Trans epidermal water losses (hereinafter, abbreviated as TEWL in some cases) is measured in the same part of the skin where θ is calculated. TEWL is one parameter of conventional evaluation of the skin barrier function.
- The regression analysis is performed on a plurality of sets of θ and the TEWL values obtained in the measure described above to determine the specified constants a and α in the
equation 1. These constants are determined so that θ can have a good correlation with TEWL. - It should be noted that the indicator of the skin barrier function is not limited to TEWL, so another indicator may be used as long as it can evaluate the skin barrier function.
- As described in the method above, the operation processing apparatus in the first embodiment calculates CB value based on the θ with the processor in the
operation processing apparatus 301. The θ and the TEWL values are measured in a wide range of skin conditions from a normal condition skin to a rough condition skin. The equation is determined so that the θ can have a good correlation with the TEWL values. The CB, one parameter of evaluation of the skin barrier function, is a numerical value accurately representing a skin barrier function in a wide range of skin conditions from a normal condition skin to a rough condition skin. The operation processing apparatus in the first embodiment can accurately calculate a numerical value representing a skin barrier function in a wide range of skin conditions from a normal condition skin to a rough skin condition. - In the
electronic equipment 1, thedetermination circuit 330 employs the method in which it determines the output signal and changes the gain of theamplification circuit 321 according to the result of the determination. The AC signal attenuates when it passes through skin. Amplifying too small AC signal leads to much noise, which lacks precision of the detection. On the other hand, too large AC signal falls outside a detectable range. Therefore making the detection signal gradually large with thedetermination circuit 330 enables the operation processing apparatus to receive an appropriate input signal. However, the method of detecting the output signal is not limited as long as it can accurately detect the output signal. For example, thedetermination circuit 330 may employ a method to modify a peak value of the AC signal to maintain the output signal, to which the detection signal is converted, within the detectable range even if the AC signal attenuates after passing through skin. Alternatively, thedetermination circuit 330 may employ a method to maintain, even if the AC signal attenuates after passing through skin, the output signal within the detectable range, modifying a resistance value of the detection signal to enlarge the peak value of the detection signal. - Furthermore, the AC signal generation circuit may be configured to generate one or more AC signals. If the AC signal generation circuit is configured to generate two or more AC signals, each θ based on the delay time measured using the respective AC signals and the respective detection signals detected based on the AC signals may be calculated. The CB value may be calculated with the θ.
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FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram illustrating the skin barrier function measurement circuit including an operation processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the invention. The skin barrier function measurement circuit inFIG. 5 is different from that of the circuit inFIG. 3 in that an ACsignal generation circuit 310 is replaced by the ACsignal generation circuit 1310 and theoperation processing apparatus 301 is replaced by anoperation processing apparatus 1301. On the other hand, other configurations are the same as the respective configurations illustrated inFIG. 1 toFIG. 3 , and the same reference numerals denote them and therefore description thereof is omitted. - The
operation processing apparatus 1301 includesoutput terminals - The AC
signal generation circuit 1310 includes a 500 Hz-ACsignal generation circuit 1311, a 100 kHz-ACsignal generation circuit 1312, and aswitching circuit 1313. Theswitching circuit 1313 includesinput terminals output terminal 1316. - Connections of the skin barrier function measurement circuit are described.
- The
output terminal 1351 of theoperation processing apparatus 1301 is connected to input of the 500 Hz-ACsignal generation circuit 1311, theoutput terminal 1352 is connected to an input of the 100 kHz-ACsignal generation circuit 1312, and theoutput terminal 1353 is connected to theswitching circuit 1313. - Output of the 500 Hz-AC
signal generation circuit 1311 is connected to theinput terminal 1314 of theswitching circuit 1313 and output of the 100 kHz-ACsignal generation circuit 1312 is connected to theinput terminal 1315 of theswitching circuit 1313. Theoutput terminal 1316 of theswitching circuit 1313 is connected to theapplication electrode 201. - Referring to
FIG. 5 andFIG. 6 , operations of a skin barrier function measurement circuit including theoperation processing apparatus 1301 in the second embodiment are described. After the same operation in the first embodiment, the measurement starts. - First, the
operation processing apparatus 1301 outputs a control signal to cause the ACsignal generation circuit 1310 to generate an AC signal of 500 Hz. The ACsignal generation circuit 1310 generates an AC signal of 500 Hz using the control signal output by theoperation processing unit 1301. The AC signal of 500 Hz is applied to skin by the application electrode 201 (step S1401). - The
detection electrode 104 detects an AC signal passing through the skin and outputs the detection signal to thesignal detection circuit 320. Thesignal detection circuit 320 converts the detection signal into an output signal. The output signal is output by thesignal detection circuit 320 to the determination circuit 330 (step S1402). - The
determination circuit 330 determines whether the output signal falls within the range that theoperation processing apparatus 1301 can detect (step S1403). - If the
determination circuit 330 determines that the output signal does not fall within the range that the operation processing apparatus 1301 (NO at step S1403), theoperation processing apparatus 1301 changes gain of theamplification circuit 321 in thesignal detection circuit 320. Thereafter, the AC signal of 500 Hz is applied to the skin by theapplication electrode 201 again (step S1401) and thedetection electrode 104 detects a detection signal passing through skin and outputs the detection signal to thesignal detection circuit 320. Thesignal detection circuit 320 converts the detection signal into an output signal again (step S1402).These processes are repeated until the output signal falls within the range that theoperation processing apparatus 1301 can detect. - If the
determination circuit 330 determines that the output signal is a value in the detectable range (YES at step S1403), theoperation processing apparatus 1301 calculates θ based on delay time measured using the AC signal of 500 Hz and the detection signal. In addition, theoperation processing apparatus 1301 calculates a susceptance value (hereinafter, also expressed as B) based on the θ and a peak value of the detection signal. The B is an example of a first skin impedance of the second embodiments. The calculated θ and B are stored as acalculation result 1 in a storage medium in the operation processing apparatus 1301 (step S1404). - Subsequently, the
operation processing apparatus 1301 outputs a control signal to cause the ACsignal generation circuit 1310 to generate an AC signal of 100 kHz. The ACsignal generation circuit 1310 generates an AC signal of 100 kHz using the control signal output by theoperation processing unit 1301. The AC signal of 100 kHz is applied to the skin by the application electrode 201 (step S1405). - The
detection electrode 104 detects an AC signal passing through the skin and outputs the detection signal to thesignal detection circuit 320. Thesignal detection circuit 320 converts the detection signal into an output signal. The output signal is output by thesignal detection circuit 320 to the determination circuit 330 (step S1406). - The
determination circuit 330 determines whether the output signal falls within the range that theoperation processing apparatus 1301 can detect (step S1407). - If the
determination circuit 330 determines that the output signal does not fall within the range that theoperation processing apparatus 1301 can detect (NO at step S1407), theoperation processing apparatus 1301 changes gain of theamplification circuit 321 in thesignal detection circuit 320. Thereafter, the AC signal of 100 Hz is applied to the skin by theapplication electrode 201 again (step S1405) and thedetection electrode 104 detects a detection signal passing through skin and outputs the detection signal to thesignal detection circuit 320. Thesignal detection circuit 320 converts the detection signal into an output signal again (step S1406). These processes are repeated until the output signal falls within the range that theoperation processing apparatus 1301 can detect. - If the
determination circuit 330 determines that the output signal is a value in the detectable range (YES at step S1407), theoperation processing apparatus 1301 calculates an admittance value (hereinafter, also expressed as Y) based on delay time measured using the AC signal of 100 kHz and the detection signal and a peak value of the detection signal. The Y is an example of a second skin impedance of the second embodiments. The calculated Y is stored as acalculation result 2 in the storage medium in the operation processing apparatus 1301 (step S1408). - The processor in the
operation processing apparatus 1301 calculates a numerical value representing a first skin barrier function (CB value) assigning B and θ stored as thecalculation result 1 and Y stored as thecalculation result 2 to the following equation 2 (step S1409). -
CB=a1×B o/Y p +a2×θ+a3×Y k/B l +a4 [Equation 2] - In the equation, a1, a2, a3, a4, o, p, k, and l are specified constants. The calculation method of the a1, a2, a3, a4, o, p, k, and l is described later.
- The
display unit 102 displays the CB value calculated based on the equation 2 (step S1410). - The calculation method of the a1, a2, a3, a4, o, p, k, and l is described. The specified constants a1, a2, a3, a4, o, p, k, and l are values that are appropriately defined by the regression analysis.
- As described in the method above, B, θ, and Y are calculated with skins of a plurality of persons. TEWL is measured in the same part of the skin where B, θ, and Y are calculated. The regression analysis is performed on a plurality of sets of B, θ, and Y and the TEWL values obtained in the measure described above to determine the specified constants a1, a2, a3, a4, o, p, k, and l in the
equation 2. These constants are determined so that B, θ, and Y can have a good correlation with TEWL. - For example, numerical values of “14473064” as a1, “−0.39281” as a2, “−1.1E−08” as a3, “49.7361” as a4, “2” as o, “1” as p, “1” as k, and “2” as l are obtained. These values are mere examples of appropriate values. It should be noted that the specified constants a1, a2, a3, a4, o, p, k, and l are determined by performing the regression analysis on the plurality of sets of B, θ, and Y and the TEWL values and appropriate numerical values can be therefore determined in accordance with increase in the number of persons.
- Bo/Yp and Yk/Bl in the
equation 2 are examples of a second variable of the second embodiments. As described above the second variable is calculated from the first skin impedance value and the second skin impedance value. - In
FIG. 7 , a preferable positive correlation is shown measured using the CB value calculated based on theequation 2 and the TEWL value. InFIG. 7 , a longitudinal axis indicates the CB value and a transverse axis indicates the TEWL value. - The
operation processing apparatus 1301 can perform the regression analysis with many numerical values using not only θ but also B and Y. Thereby the specified constants a1, a2, a3, a4, o, p, k, and l can be determined so that CB value can have more correlation to preferable positive correlation to the TEWL value. Thus the operation processing apparatus in the second embodiment can calculate the CB value which have more preferable positive correlation with the TEWL value than the operation processing apparatus in the first embodiment. - Although 500 Hz and 100 kHz are used as the frequencies of the AC signal in the electronic equipment in the second embodiment, the frequency of the AC signal is not particularly limited. The application order of the AC signals is not particularly limited and whichever of them may be applied first.
- The first skin impedance value in the
operation processing apparatus 1301 in the second embodiment may be, for example, an admittance value, a conductance value, or the inverse values of the susceptance value, the admittance value, or the conductance value. - Alternatively, the first skin impedance value may be two or more values selected from the susceptance value, the admittance value and the conductance value, and the inverse values of the susceptance value, the admittance value, and the conductance value.
- The second skin impedance value in the
operation processing apparatus 1301 in the second embodiment may be, for example, the susceptance value, the conductance value, or the inverse values of the susceptance value, the admittance value, or the conductance value. - Alternatively, the second skin impedance value may be two or more values selected from the susceptance value, the admittance value, and the conductance value and the inverse values of the susceptance value, the admittance value, and the conductance value.
- For example, with an admittance value based on the AC signal of 500 Hz (hereinafter, expressed as Y500) and the susceptance value based on the AC signal of 100 kHz (hereinafter, expressed as B100k), the CB value in the
operation processing apparatus 1301 in the second embodiment may be calculated according to an equation in which Y and B in theequation 2 are respectively replaced with B100k and Y500. - For example with the B100k and B based on the AC signal of 500 Hz, the CB value may be calculated according to an equation in which Y in the
equation 2 is replaced with B100k. - The calculation method of θ is not particularly limited in the
operation processing apparatus 1301 in the second embodiment. With θ based on the delay time measured using the AC signal of 100 kHz and the detection signal (hereinafter, expressed as θ100k,) the CB value may be calculated according to an equation in which θ in theequation 2 is replaced with θ100k. - Furthermore, as described above, for example, θ=2πfΔt, where Δt is delay time measured using the AC signal and the detection signal and f is a frequency of the AC, can be satisfied (2π and f are constants).
- Therefore, θ in the
equation 2 can be replaced with “Δt”. - An operation processing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the invention will be described below.
- The human skin is composed of epidermis with stratum corneum, dermis, and subcutaneous tissues. It is well known that the stratum corneum, which exists in the outermost side of the skin, largely contributes to a barrier function against an external environment.
- It is also known that dermatitis or the like are developed when the stratum corneum is damaged suffering from such as decrease in the stratum corneum thickness, partial defect, or the like. Therefore it is said that the stratum corneum largely contributes to the maintenance of skin barrier function.
- In view of this, the present inventors consider that a value representing the stratum corneum thickness is also significant as a value representing the skin barrier function as well as the TEWL value is. They have completed the operation processing apparatus in the third embodiment.
- The operation processing apparatus in the third embodiment calculates a value representing the stratum corneum thickness with the similar equation in the operation processing apparatus in the first embodiment. The operation processing apparatus in the third embodiment has the same configuration of the
operation processing apparatus 301 in the first embodiment and they are the same in view of the electronic equipment. - In the following description, the respective configurations of the skin barrier function measurement circuit including the operation processing apparatus in the third embodiment has the same reference numbers as are allocated to those of circuit in the first embodiment.
- Referring to
FIG. 3 andFIG. 8 , operations of the skin barrier function measurement circuit in the third embodiment will be described. After the same operation in the first embodiment, the measurement starts. - First, the
operation processing apparatus 301 outputs a control signal to cause the ACsignal generation circuit 310 to generate an AC signal. The ACsignal generation circuit 310 generates an AC signal using the control signal output by theoperation processing unit 301. The AC signal generated is applied to the skin by the application electrode 201 (step S501). - The
detection electrode 104 detects an AC signal passing through the skin and outputs the detection signal to thesignal detection circuit 320. Thesignal detection circuit 320 converts the detection signal into an output signal. The output signal is output by thesignal detection circuit 320 to the determination circuit 330 (step S502). - The
determination circuit 330 determines whether the output signal falls within the range that theoperation processing apparatus 301 can detect (step S503). - If the
determination circuit 330 determines that the output signal does not fall within the range that theoperation processing apparatus 301 can detect (NO at step S503), theoperation processing apparatus 301 changes gain of theamplification circuit 321 in thesignal detection circuit 320. Thereafter, the AC signal is applied to the skin by theapplication electrode 201 again (step S501) and thedetection electrode 104 detects a detection signal passing through skin and outputs the detection signal to thesignal detection circuit 320. Thesignal detection circuit 320 converts the detection signal into an output signal again (step S502). These processes are repeated until the output signal falls within the range that theoperation processing apparatus 301 can detect. - If the
determination circuit 330 determines that the output signal is a value in the detectable range (YES at step S503), theoperation processing apparatus 301 calculates θ based on delay time measured using the AC signal and the detection signal. The calculated θ is stored in a storage medium in theoperation processing apparatus 301 as a calculation result 1 (step S504). - The processor in the
operation processing apparatus 301 calculates a numerical value representing a second skin barrier function (hereinafter, expressed as a SCT value) assigning θ stored as thecalculation result 1 to the following equation 3 (step S505). -
SCT=a×θ+α [Equation 3] - In the equation, a and α are specified constants. The calculation method of the a and α is described later.
- The
display unit 102 displays the SCT value (step S506) - The calculation method of the a and α is described. The specified constants a and α are values that are appropriately defined by the regression analysis.
- As described in the method above, θ is calculated with skins of a plurality of persons. A value representing the stratum corneum thickness is measured in the same part of the skin where θ is calculated with a confocal laser microscopy (Vivascope manufactured by Caliber Imaging & Diagnostics, Inc.).
- The regression analysis is performed on a plurality of sets of θ and the values representing the stratum corneum thickness obtained in the measure described above to determine the specified constants a and α in the equation 3. These constants are determined so that θ can have a good correlation with stratum corneum thicknesses.
- It should be noted that the measuring method of a value representing the stratum corneum thickness is not limited to the confocal laser microscopy, so another method may be used as long as it can measure a value representing the stratum corneum thickness.
- As described in the method above, the operation processing apparatus in the third embodiment calculates SCT value based on the θ with the processor in the
operation processing apparatus 301. The θ and the values representing the stratum corneum thickness are measured in a wide range of skin conditions from a normal condition skin to a rough condition skin. The equation is determined so that the θ can have a good correlation with the values representing the stratum corneum thickness. The SCT, one parameter of evaluation of the skin barrier function, is a numerical value accurately representing a skin barrier function in a wide range of skin conditions from a normal condition skin to a rough condition skin. - In the
electronic equipment 1, thedetermination circuit 330 employs the method in which it determines the output signal and changes the gain of theamplification circuit 321 according to the result of the determination. The AC signal attenuates when it passes through skin. Amplifying too small AC signal leads to much noise, which lacks precision of the detection. On the other hand, too large AC signal falls outside a detectable range. Therefore making the detection signal gradually large with thedetermination circuit 330 enables the operation processing apparatus to receive an appropriate input signal. However, the method of detecting the output signal is not limited as long as it can accurately detect the output signal. For example, thedetermination circuit 330 may employ a method to modify a peak value of the AC signal to maintain the output signal, to which the detection signal is converted, within the detectable range even if the AC signal attenuates after passing through skin. Alternatively, thedetermination circuit 330 may employ a method to maintain, even if the AC signal attenuates after passing through skin, the output signal within the detectable range, modifying a resistance value of the detection signal to enlarge the peak value of the detection signal. - Furthermore, the AC signal generation circuit may be configured to generate one or more AC signals. If the AC signal generation circuit is configured to generate two or more AC signals, each θ based on the delay time measured using the respective AC signals and the respective detection signals detected based on the AC signals may be calculated. The respective SCT value may be calculated with the θ.
- An operation processing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the invention will be described below.
- The operation processing apparatus in the fourth embodiment calculates a value representing the stratum corneum thickness with the similar equation in the operation processing apparatus in the second embodiment. The operation processing apparatus in the fourth embodiment has the same configuration of the
operation processing apparatus 1301 in the second embodiment and they are the same in view of electronic equipment. - In the following description, the respective configurations of the skin barrier function measurement circuit including the operation processing apparatus in the fourth embodiment has the same reference numbers as are allocated to those of circuit in the second embodiment.
- Referring to
FIG. 5 andFIG. 9 , operations of the skin barrier function measurement circuit including the operation processing apparatus in the fourth embodiment will be described. After the same operation in the first embodiment, the measurement starts. - First, the
operation processing apparatus 1301 outputs a control signal to cause the ACsignal generation circuit 1310 to generate an AC signal of 500 Hz. The ACsignal generation circuit 1310 generates an AC signal of 500 Hz using the control signal output by theoperation processing unit 1301. The AC signal of 500 Hz is applied to skin by the application electrode 201 (step S1501). - The
detection electrode 104 detects an AC signal passing through the skin and outputs the detection signal to thesignal detection circuit 320. Thesignal detection circuit 320 converts the detection signal into an output signal. The output signal is output by thesignal detection circuit 320 to the determination circuit 330 (step S1502). - The
determination circuit 330 determines whether the output signal falls within the range that theoperation processing apparatus 1301 can detect (step S1503). - If the
determination circuit 330 determines that the output signal does not fall within the range that the operation processing apparatus 1301 (NO at step S1503), theoperation processing apparatus 1301 changes gain of theamplification circuit 321 in thesignal detection circuit 320. Thereafter, the AC signal of 500 Hz is applied to the skin by theapplication electrode 201 again (step S1501) and thedetection electrode 104 detects a detection signal passing through skin and outputs the detection signal to thesignal detection circuit 320. Thesignal detection circuit 320 converts the detection signal into an output signal again (step S1502).These processes are repeated until the output signal falls within the range that theoperation processing apparatus 1301 can detect. - If the
determination circuit 330 determines that the output signal is a value in the detectable range (YES at step S1503), theoperation processing apparatus 1301 calculates θ based on delay time measured using the AC signal of 500 Hz and the detection signal. In addition, theoperation processing apparatus 1301 calculates B based on the θ and a peak value of the detection signal. The calculated θ and B are stored as acalculation result 1 in a storage medium in the operation processing apparatus 1301 (step S1504). - Subsequently, the
operation processing apparatus 1301 outputs a control signal to cause the ACsignal generation circuit 1310 to generate an AC signal of 100 kHz. The ACsignal generation circuit 1310 generates an AC signal of 100 kHz using the control signal output by theoperation processing unit 1301. The AC signal of 100 kHz is applied to the skin by the application electrode 201 (step S1505). - The
detection electrode 104 detects an AC signal passing through the skin and outputs the detection signal to thesignal detection circuit 320. Thesignal detection circuit 320 converts the detection signal into an output signal. The output signal is output by thesignal detection circuit 320 to the determination circuit 330 (step S1506). - The
determination circuit 330 determines whether the output signal falls within the range that theoperation processing apparatus 1301 can detect (step S1507). - If the
determination circuit 330 determines that the output signal does not fall within the range that theoperation processing apparatus 1301 can detect (NO at step S1507), theoperation processing apparatus 1301 changes gain of theamplification circuit 321 in thesignal detection circuit 320. Thereafter, the AC signal of 100 Hz is applied to the skin by theapplication electrode 201 again (step S1505) and thedetection electrode 104 detects a detection signal passing through skin and outputs the detection signal to thesignal detection circuit 320. Thesignal detection circuit 320 converts the detection signal into an output signal again (step S1506). These processes are repeated until the output signal falls within the range that theoperation processing apparatus 1301 can detect. - If the
determination circuit 330 determines that the output signal is a value in the detectable range (YES at step S1507), theoperation processing apparatus 1301 calculates an admittance value (hereinafter, also expressed as Y) based on delay time measured using the AC signal of 100 kHz and the detection signal and a peak value of the detection signal. The Y is an example of a second skin impedance of the second embodiments. The calculated Y is stored as acalculation result 2 in the storage medium in the operation processing apparatus 1301 (step S1508). - The processor in the
operation processing apparatus 1301 calculates a numerical value representing a second skin barrier function (SCT value) assigning B and θ stored as thecalculation result 1 and Y stored as thecalculation result 2 to the following equation 4 (step S1509). -
SCT=a1×B o/Y p +a2×θ+a3×Y k/B l +a4 [Equation 4] - In the equation, a1, a2, a3, a4, o, p, k, and l are specified constants. The calculation method of the a1, a2, a3, a4, o, p, k, and l is described later.
- The
display unit 102 displays the SCT value calculated based on the equation 4 (step S1510) - The calculation method of the a1, a2, a3, a4, o, p, k, and l is described. The specified constants a1, a2, a3, a4, o, p, k, and l are values that are appropriately defined by the regression analysis.
- As described in the method above, B, θ, and Y are calculated with skins of a plurality of persons. A value representing the stratum corneum thickness is measured in the same part of the skin where B, θ, and Y is calculated with a d confocal laser microscopy (Vivascope manufactured by Caliber Imaging & Diagnostics, Inc.).
- The regression analysis is performed on a plurality of sets of B, θ, and Y and the values representing the stratum corneum thickness obtained in the measure described above to determine the specified constants a1, a2, a3, a4, o, p, k, and l in the
equation 4. These constants are determined so that B, θ, and Y can have the good correlation with the values representing the stratum corneum thickness. - For example, numerical values of “−312.2” as a1, “0.1483” as a2, “−0.01” as a3, “5.1574” as a4, “0.5” as o, “0.25” as p, “0.25” as k, and “0.5” as l are obtained. These values are mere examples of appropriate values. It should be noted that the specified constants a1, a2, a3, a4, o, p, k, and l are determined by performing the regression analysis on the plurality of sets of B, θ, and Y and the values representing the stratum corneum thickness and appropriate numerical values can be therefore determined in accordance with increase in the number of persons.
- It should be noted that the measuring method of a value representing the stratum corneum thickness is not limited to the confocal laser microscopy and a well-known method may be appropriately used.
- Bo/Yp and Yk/Bl in the
equation 4 are examples of a second variable of the forth embodiments. As described above the second variable is calculated from the first skin impedance value and the second skin impedance value. -
FIG. 10 a preferable positive correlation is shown measured using the SCT value calculated based on theequation 4 and the values representing the stratum corneum thickness. InFIG. 10 , a longitudinal axis indicates the SCT value and a transverse axis indicates a measured value of the value representing the stratum corneum thickness by the confocal laser microscopy. - In
FIG. 10 , a preferable positive correlation is showed measured using the SCT value calculated based on theequation 4 and the values representing the stratum corneum thickness. - If the SCT value is negative due to the property of the confocal laser microscopy, it is preferable that the
operation processing apparatus 1301 convert the SCT value to “0”. The processing method is not particularly limited and a known method can be used. - The
operation processing apparatus 1301 can perform the regression analysis with many numerical values using not only θ but also B and Y. Thereby the specified constants a1, a2, a3, a4, o, p, k, and l can be determined so that SCT value can have more correlation to preferable positive correlation to the value representing the stratum corneum thickness. Thus the operation processing apparatus in the fourth embodiment can calculate the SCT value which have more preferable positive correlation with the numerical value representing the stratum corneum thickness than the operation processing apparatus in the third embodiment. - Although 500 Hz and 100 kHz are used as the frequencies of the AC signal in the electronic equipment in the fourth embodiment, the frequency of the AC signal is not particularly limited. The application order of the AC signals is not particularly limited and whichever of them may be applied first.
- The first skin impedance value in the
operation processing apparatus 1301 in the fourth embodiment may be, for example, an admittance value, a conductance value, or the inverse values of the susceptance value, the admittance value, or the conductance value. - Alternatively, the first skin impedance value may be two or more values selected from the susceptance value, the admittance value and the conductance value, and the inverse values of the susceptance value, the admittance value, and the conductance value.
- The second skin impedance value in the
operation processing apparatus 1301 in the fourth embodiment may be, for example, the susceptance value, the conductance value, or the inverse values of the susceptance value, the admittance value, or the conductance value. - Alternatively, the second skin impedance value may be two or more values selected from the susceptance value, the admittance value, and the conductance value, and the inverse values of the susceptance value, the admittance value, and the conductance value.
- For example, with an admittance value based on the AC signal of 500 Hz (hereinafter, expressed as Y500) and the susceptance value based on the AC signal of 100 kHz (hereinafter, expressed as B100k), the SCT value in the
operation processing apparatus 1301 in the fourth embodiment may be calculated according to an equation in which Y and B in theequation 2 are respectively replaced with B100k and Y500. - For example with the B100k and B based on the AC signal of 500 Hz, the SCT value may be calculated according to an equation in which Y in the
equation 4 is replaced with B100k. - The calculation method of θ is not particularly limited in the
operation processing apparatus 1301 in the fourth embodiment. With θ based on the delay time measured using the AC signal of 100 kHz and the detection signal (hereinafter, expressed as θ100k,) the SCT value may be calculated according to an equation in which θ in theequation 4 is replaced with θ100k. - The program in the invention is a computer readable program to make a computer execute the function of the operation processing apparatus function of the present invention. The program is an operation program that collaborates with a computer. The program is stored in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium.
- In addition, the present invention also relates to an evaluation method of the skin barrier function. This evaluation method includes an operation process of evaluating a skin barrier function using a variable based on delay time measured using an AC signal generated by an AC signal generation circuit and a detected signal by the detection electrode after passing through the skin. Moreover, the evaluation method may include an application process of applying the AC signal to skin, a measurement process of measuring the signal passing through the skin and converting it into an output signal, and a display process of displaying a numerical value (CB value or SCT value) representing the skin barrier function calculated in the operation process.
- The operation process may include a calculation process of calculating the CB value or the SCT value with θ calculated based on the delay time measured using the AC signal generated by the AC signal generation circuit and the signal passed through the skin by the application electrode as in the operation method in the
operation processing apparatus 301. Specifically the CB value or the SCT value may be calculated based on theequation 1 or the equation 3. - Alternatively, the operation process may include a calculation process of calculating the CB value or the SCT value with the θ and the skin impedance values calculated based on the delay time and the peak value of the detection signal in a similar way as in the operation method in the
operation processing apparatus 1301. Specifically the CB value or the SCT value may be calculated based on theequation 2 or theequation 4. - Furthermore, as described above, for example, θ=2πfΔt, where Δt is delay time measured using the AC signal and the detection signal and f is a frequency of the AC, can be satisfied (2π and f are constants).
- Therefore, θ in the
equation 4 can be replaced with “Δt”. - With the operation processing, the evaluation method according to the invention can accurately calculate the skin barrier function in a wide range of skin conditions from a normal condition to a rough skin condition, which a stratum corneum is totally exfoliated, or the like.
- 1 Electronic equipment
- 101 Main body portion
- 102 Display unit
- 103 Probe
- 104 Detection electrode
- 201 Application electrode
- 202 Ground electrode
- 340 Ground terminal
- 301 and 1301 Operation processing apparatus
- 310 and 1310 AC signal generation circuit
- 320 Signal detection circuit
- 321 Amplification circuit
- 322 Filter circuit
- 323 Current detection circuit
- 324 Detection resistance
- 330 Determination circuit
- 351, 1351, 1352, 1353, and 1316 Output terminal
- 1311 500 Hz-AC signal generation circuit
- 1312 100 kHz-AC signal generation circuit
- 1313 Switching circuit
- 361, 362, 1314, and 1315 Input terminal
Claims (20)
1. An operation processing apparatus for calculating a numerical value representing a skin barrier function comprising:
a processor calculating a first variable based on delay time measured using an alternating-current (AC) signal generated by the AC signal generation circuit and a signal applied by an application electrode and passing through skin; and
a storage medium storing the first variable calculated by the processor as a calculation result,
wherein the processor calculates the numerical value representing the skin barrier function based on the calculation result in the storage medium.
2. The operation processing apparatus according to claim 1 ,
wherein the processor further calculates a first skin impedance value based on a first AC signal generated by the AC signal generation circuit; and
the storage medium further stores the first skin impedance value calculated by the processor as a calculation result.
3. The operation processing apparatus according to claim 2 ,
wherein the processor further calculates a second skin impedance value based on a second AC signal generated by the AC signal generation circuit; and
the storage medium further stores the second skin impedance value calculated by the processor as a calculation result.
4. The operation processing apparatus according to claim 1 ,
wherein the processor further calculates a first skin impedance value based on a first AC signal generated by the AC signal generation circuit and a second skin impedance value based on a second AC signal generated by the AC signal generation circuit and the processor calculates a second variable with the first skin impedance value and the second skin impedance value,
wherein the storage medium stores further the second variable calculated with the processor as a calculation result.
5. The operation processing apparatus according to claim 3 ,
wherein the first skin impedance value is one or more values selected from a group consisting of a first susceptance value, a first admittance value, a first conductance value, and inverse values of the first susceptance value, the first admittance value, and the first conductance value; and
the second skin impedance value is one or more values selected from a group consisting of a second susceptance value, a second admittance value, a second conductance value, and inverse values of the second susceptance value, the second admittance value, and the second conductance value.
6. The operation processing apparatus according to claim 5 ,
wherein the first skin impedance value is the first susceptance value;
the second skin impedance value is the second admittance value; and
the processor calculates the numerical value representing the skin barrier function using an equation 1;
CB=a1×B o/Y p +a2×θ+a3×Y k/B l +a4 [Equation 1]
CB=a1×B o/Y p +a2×θ+a3×Y k/B l +a4 [Equation 1]
wherein CB is the numerical value representing the skin barrier function,
B is the first susceptance value,
Y is the second admittance value,
θ is the first variable, and
a1, a2, a3, a4, o, p, k, and l are constants.
7. The operation processing apparatus according to claim 5 ,
wherein the first skin impedance value is the first susceptance value;
the second skin impedance value is the second admittance value; and
the processor calculates the numerical value representing the skin barrier function using an equation 2;
SCT=a1×B o/Y p +a2×θ+a3×Y k/B l +a4 [Equation 2]
SCT=a1×B o/Y p +a2×θ+a3×Y k/B l +a4 [Equation 2]
wherein SCT is the numerical value representing the skin barrier function,
B is the first susceptance value,
Y is the second admittance value,
θ is the first variable, and
a1, a2, a3, a4, o, p, k, and l are constants.
8. The operation processing apparatus according to claim 4 ,
wherein the first skin impedance value is one or more values selected from a group consisting of a first susceptance value, a first admittance value, a first conductance value, and inverse values of the first susceptance value, the first admittance value, and the first conductance value; and
the second skin impedance value is one or more values selected from a group consisting of a second susceptance value, a second admittance value, a second conductance value, and inverse values of the second susceptance value, the second admittance value, and the second conductance value.
9. The operation processing apparatus according to claim 8 ,
wherein the first skin impedance value is the first susceptance value;
the second skin impedance value is the second admittance value; and
the processor calculates the numerical value representing the skin barrier function using an equation 1;
CB=a1×B o/Y p +a2×θ+a3×Y k/B l +a4 [Equation 1]
CB=a1×B o/Y p +a2×θ+a3×Y k/B l +a4 [Equation 1]
wherein CB is the numerical value representing the skin barrier function,
B is the first susceptance value,
Y is the second admittance value,
θ is the first variable, and
a1, a2, a3, a4, o, p, k, and l are constants.
10. The operation processing apparatus according to claim 8 ,
wherein the first skin impedance value is the first susceptance value;
the second skin impedance value is the second admittance value; and
the processor calculates the numerical value representing the skin barrier function using an equation 2;
SCT=a1×B o/Y p +a2×θ+a3×Y k/B l +a4 [Equation 2]
SCT=a1×B o/Y p +a2×θ+a3×Y k/B l +a4 [Equation 2]
wherein SCT is the numerical value representing the skin barrier function,
B is the first susceptance value,
Y is the second admittance value,
θ is the first variable, and
a1, a2, a3, a4, o, p, k, and l are constants.
11. Electronic equipment comprising:
an alternating-current (AC) signal generation circuit generating an AC signal;
an application electrode applying the AC signal generated by the AC signal generation circuit to skin and passed through the skin;
a detection electrode detecting a signal applied by the application electrode and passing through the skin; and
the operation processing apparatus according to claim 1 calculating the numerical value representing the skin barrier function based on the AC signal generated and the signal passing through the skin.
12. Electronic equipment comprising:
an alternating-current (AC) signal generation circuit generating an AC signal;
an application electrode applying the AC signal generated by the AC signal generation circuit to skin and passed through the skin;
a detection electrode detecting a signal applied by the application electrode and passing through the skin; and
the operation processing apparatus according to claim 2 calculating the a numerical value representing the skin barrier function based on the AC signal generated and the signal passing through the skin.
13. Electronic equipment comprising:
an alternating-current (AC) signal generation circuit generating an AC signal;
an application electrode applying the AC signal generated by the AC signal generation circuit to skin and passed through the skin;
a detection electrode detecting a signal applied by the application electrode and passing through the skin; and
the operation processing apparatus according to claim 3 calculating the numerical value representing the skin barrier function based on the AC signal generated and the signal passing through the skin.
14. Electronic equipment comprising:
an alternating-current (AC) signal generation circuit generating an AC signal;
an application electrode applying the AC signal generated by the AC signal generation circuit to skin and passed through the skin;
a detection electrode detecting a signal applied by the application electrode and passing through the skin; and
the operation processing apparatus according to claim 4 calculating the numerical value representing the skin barrier function based on the AC signal generated and the signal passing through the skin.
15. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising:
a computer-readable program that is executed by a computer as the operation processing apparatus according to claim 1 .
16. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising:
a computer-readable program that is executed by a computer as the operation processing apparatus according to claim 2 .
17. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising:
a computer-readable program that is executed by a computer as the operation processing apparatus according to claim 3 .
18. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising:
a computer-readable program that is executed by a computer as the operation processing apparatus according to claim 4 .
19. A method of evaluating a skin barrier function comprising:
generating an alternating-current (AC) signal;
making the AC signal generated pass through skin;
detecting a signal passed through the skin;
calculating a first variable based on delay time measured using the AC signal generated and the signal passed through the skin;
calculating a numerical value representing a skin barrier function based on the first variable.
20. The method according to claim 19 , further comprising:
calculating a skin impedance value based on the AC signal generated,
wherein calculating the numerical value representing the skin barrier function calculates the numerical value based on the first variable and the skin impedance value.
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US16/663,218 US11445931B2 (en) | 2016-10-18 | 2019-10-24 | Operation processing apparatus calculating numerical value representing skin barrier function, equipment, computer readable medium, and method for evaluating skin barrier function |
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US16/663,218 Active 2037-07-11 US11445931B2 (en) | 2016-10-18 | 2019-10-24 | Operation processing apparatus calculating numerical value representing skin barrier function, equipment, computer readable medium, and method for evaluating skin barrier function |
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