Skin evaluation apparatus

摘要

A skin evaluation apparatus and method for rapidly assessing the degree of erythema of the skin and the skin's response to blanching. The apparatus includes a housing comprising a probe head having an emitter and sensor and a blanching edge. The emitter consists of bundles of optical fibers by means of which light from LEDs is delivered to and recovered from the skin. In use, the probe head is held flush with the skin surface causing the blanching edge to indent a fixed area of skin causing a local blanche. As the probe head is moved, the blanching edge slides along the skin surface evacuating blood as it moves. During the blanche, the LEDs are switched on and the scattered signal collected using a photodiode. A processor measures the attenuation of scattered light and gives a display of blood content against time, providing an indication of the blood circulation in that area.