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US4569358A
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Optical micrometry of skin surfaces
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1984-10-22
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Granted: 1986-02-11
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Expires: 2004-10-22
Abstract
Abstract A series of casts are taken of a skin surface over a period of time and then measured by means of an automatically focusing microscope to produce a quantitative model of the changes in the topology of the surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel E. Gormley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 13:56
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/44; A61B5/441; A61B5/103; A61B5/107; A61B5/1077; A61B5/1078
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A process for measuring changes in topology of the skin surface comprising: forming a dimensionally stable first replica of the topology of a skin surface at a first time, the replica being referenced to at least two stable anatomic locations on the skin surface; forming further replicas of the topology of the skin surface at at least one later time also referenced to the at least two stable anatomic locations; and measuring dimensional differences between the first and further replicas with the replicas commonly referenced such that a quantitative model of the changes in the topology of the skin surface may be made.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
A process for measuring changes in topology of the skin surface comprising: forming a dimensionally stable first replica of the topology of a skin surface at a first time, the replica being referenced to at least two stable anatomic locations on the skin surface; forming further replicas of the topology of the skin surface at at least one later time also referenced to the at least two stable anatomic locations; and measuring dimensional differences between the first and further replicas with the replicas commonly referenced such that a quantitative model of the changes in the topology of the skin surface may be made.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the measurement of the dimensional differences is conducted with an automatically focusing apparatus which surveys the relative elevation of a network of points on the surface of the replica.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 2 wherein the automatically focusing apparatus automatically scans the network of points on a preset grid having a standard grip space interval.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the model measures the relative roughness of the surface as a function of the statistical variation in elevation of the surface as compared to a perfectly smooth surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the model measures changes in volume at portions of the surface as the elevation of the portions changes over time.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the replicas are commonly referenced by fixing the replicas to a jig means which is keyed to at least two permanent features common to each of the replicas.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
72 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the replicas are commonly referenced by forming a first large mother cast of the skin surface of interest and surrounding tissue, then cutting out the first replica from the mother cast, and then using the cut out mother cast as a mold template for the formation of the further replicas such that the first and further replicas are commonly referenced to the cut out mother cast.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the forming of the replicas comprises first forming a negative cast of the skin surface with a silastic elastomer, then conforming the reverse side of the negative cast to a flat surface and forming a measurement cast from the flattened negative cast such that the dimensional differences are taken from the measurement casts.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
73 words
The process of claim 8 wherein both the negative and measurement casts are commonly referenced by fixing the negative cast to a jig means comprising a plurality of needles attached to a stable base such that at least some of the needles pass through permanent features in the negative cast and then fixing the measurement cast to the same jig by passing the same needles through the permanent features in the measurement cast.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
The process of claim 1 wherein replicas are commonly referenced by fixing said replicas on a jig means comprising a plurality of needles such that at least some of the needles pass through permanent features common to each of the replicas.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4355904A
Cited
US4502785A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-02-10 | 1989-08-12 | 1990-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-02-10 | 1993-08-12 | 1994-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-02-10 | 1997-08-12 | 1998-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |