JP2004290234A - Fluorescence measuring method for skin and apparatus therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fluorescence measuring method for skin and an apparatus therefor which enable the precise measurement of the fluorescence in the skin. <P>SOLUTION: The measuring apparatus 10 has a light source part 12, a probe 14 and a measuring part 16. The light source part 12 has two light sources, a mercury/xenon lamp 18 and a halogen lamp 20. The beams of inspection light L1 and L2 from the two light sources are changed over by a light switching part 40 and admitted into the probe 14. The fluorescence or the reflected light is guided to the measuring part 16 to be measured. At this point, the fluorescence data are corrected by the reflected light data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for measuring fluorescence of skin, and more particularly, to grasp the amount of collagen or elastin contained in the dermis of skin by measuring the fluorescence generated from these components, and as a result, And a method for judging aging or the like based on the
[0002]
[Prior art]
An optical device such as an image analyzer, a reflected light spectrum measuring device, or a color difference meter to determine the condition and aging of the skin by grasping the amount and distribution of various components contained in the skin or changes thereof. Inspection has been carried out using a computer.
[0003]
The skin to be inspected is roughly divided into three layers of epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue in order from the surface layer. Among them, the epidermis is a layer in which cells are stacked, and the above-described optical device is suitably used for measuring melanin and the like contained in this layer.
[0004]
On the other hand, the dermis is a structure in which cells are not densely packed as in the epidermis and have a large extracellular space. The dermis contains collagen and elastin. Collagen is the main protein constituting the extracellular matrix, and elastin is thought to form crosslinks and contribute to tissue elasticity. It is known that the metabolic functions of these collagens and the like decrease with aging.
[0005]
Unlike the measurement of melanin and the like, the technology of measuring these collagens and the like contained in the dermis using an optical device has not been known so far.However, in recent years, aging has been performed by measuring the fluorescence of the skin. Several methods for determining have been proposed (for example, see Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2).
[0006]
[Non-patent document 1]
Yoshinori Takema et al. JOURNAL OF Dermatological Science
15 (1997) 55-58
[0007]
[Non-patent document 2]
David J Leffell et al. Arch. Dermatol Vol. 124 pp. 1514-1518
; 1988)
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made in order to suitably realize the above-described skin fluorescence measurement, and it is intended that the skin fluorescence measurement, in particular, the skin fluorescence which can accurately measure the fluorescence derived from collagen and the like contained in the dermis. It is an object of the present invention to provide a fluorescence measuring method and an apparatus therefor.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The method for measuring skin fluorescence according to the present invention includes irradiating a predetermined site on the skin with a first inspection light having a predetermined wavelength (excitation wavelength), measuring fluorescence generated from the predetermined site, and measuring the fluorescence. A part is further irradiated with a second inspection light including the wavelength of the fluorescence, reflected light from the predetermined part is measured, and the fluorescence data is corrected based on the reflected light data.
[0010]
In this case, preferably, the fluorescence data is corrected by dividing the fluorescence intensity of the fluorescence data by the reflection light intensity of the corresponding wavelength of the reflection light data.
[0011]
In this case, preferably, the fluorescence generated from the predetermined site is derived from collagen or elastin contained in the dermis of the skin.
[0012]
In addition, in order to realize the above-described skin fluorescence measurement method, the skin fluorescence measurement apparatus according to the present invention uses a first wavelength (excitation wavelength) of a predetermined wavelength (excitation wavelength) for measuring fluorescence generated from a skin inspection site. A first light source for providing inspection light, a second light source for providing second inspection light for obtaining reflected light including a wavelength corresponding to the wavelength of the fluorescence, and the first or second inspection light. A first light guide unit that receives and guides the light as much as possible, and an irradiation unit that is connected to the first light guide unit and irradiates the guided first or second inspection light to the inspection site; A probe connected to the irradiating unit and having a second light guiding unit for guiding the fluorescence or the reflected light from the inspection site; the first light source and the first light source incident on the first light guiding unit; A light source switching unit for switching between two light sources, and the fluorescent light or the reflected light that is connected to the second light guide unit and is guided. And having a measuring unit for measuring the characteristics of the fluorescent or reflected light by receiving.
[0013]
In this case, preferably, there is further provided a correcting means for correcting the fluorescence characteristic data obtained by the measuring section with the reflected light characteristic data.
[0014]
In this case, preferably, the fluorescence generated from the inspection site is derived from collagen or elastin contained in the dermis of the skin.
[0015]
According to the recent research described above, for example, by irradiating the skin with light having a wavelength of about 325 nm (inspection light), the fluorescence derived from collagen having a wavelength of about 390 nm as a center and the wavelength of about 430 nm as a center It is known that fluorescence derived from elastin is obtained.
[0016]
The present inventors examined these fluorescent characteristics and found that the difference in the color of the skin resulted in a difference in the spectral pattern of the fluorescence obtained from the skin to be examined, which is considered to contain a similar amount of collagen and the like. Was. Then, when the cause was examined diligently, hemoglobin and melanin of blood vessels in the epidermis intervening until the light reached the dermis affected, that is, these components such as hemoglobin were part of the excitation light incident on the dermis. It was found that the part absorbed or part of the generated fluorescence was absorbed. The details will be described later.
[0017]
According to the method for measuring skin fluorescence according to the present invention, by measuring reflected light in combination with fluorescence, the fluorescence data is corrected by the reflected light data, and to remove the influence of hemoglobin and melanin, collagen and the like are used. The fluorescence of the skin from which it originated can be accurately measured, and the skin condition can be suitably determined based on this.
[0018]
Further, according to the skin fluorescence measurement apparatus according to the present invention, the above-described skin fluorescence measurement method can be suitably realized, and in particular, the irradiation part of the probe is applied to the skin inspection site without using the skin peeling sample. The measurement can be performed easily and quickly simply by applying the light, and the fluorescent light and the reflected light can be measured by sharing one measuring unit and instantaneously switching the light source using the switching means.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
A preferred embodiment (hereinafter, referred to as an embodiment) of a skin fluorescence measurement method and apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0020]
A skin fluorescence measurement device (hereinafter, simply referred to as a measurement device) according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0021]
The measurement device 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a light source unit 12, a probe 14, and a measurement unit 16.
[0022]
The light source unit 12 includes two light sources: a mercury / xenon lamp (first light source) 18 and a halogen lamp (second light source) 20. The light emitted from the mercury / xenon lamp 18 is narrowed in width by the slits 22 and 24, and then separated by the double monochromator 26 into two predetermined wavelengths within a range of, for example, 300 to 400 nm. In order to measure the fluorescence derived from collagen and elastin, wavelengths of 335 nm and 365 nm (excitation wavelength) are used, for example. The wavelength of the light (first inspection light, denoted by a symbol L1) emitted from the double monochromator 26 is regulated by the slit 28. Light L1 having a predetermined wavelength and light (second inspection light, denoted by symbol L2) generated from the halogen lamp 20 are guided to the probe 14.
[0023]
The probe 14 includes an irradiation unit 30 that irradiates light to an examination site (a predetermined site on the skin) W, and light that configures first and second light guide units 32 and 34 that are connected to the irradiation unit 30, respectively. It is a fiber cable.
[0024]
The first light guide portion 32 has a side connected to the light source branched into two, and the light L1 and the light L2 enter the respective branch paths 32a and 32b. Each of the branch paths 32a and 32b is provided with a shutter 36 and 38, respectively, and the two shutters 36 and 38 are connected to a light source switching unit 40 that controls only one of the shutters to open. Thereby, the first light guide section 32 receives the light L1 from the mercury / xenon lamp 18 and the light L2 from the halogen lamp 20 in a switchable manner and guides the light L1 to the irradiation section 30. By irradiating the irradiation part 30 to the inspection part W, the light L1 or the light L2 is irradiated from the irradiation part 30 to the inspection part W. Then, the irradiated light L1 passes through the skin epidermis, reaches the dermis, and generates fluorescence. On the other hand, with respect to the irradiated light L2, part of the light L2 is absorbed and reflected by the epidermis, light transmitted through the epidermis reaches the dermis, and reflected light is generated after part of the light L2 is further absorbed. The fluorescent light or the reflected light enters the second light guide 34 via the irradiation unit 30 and is guided to the measurement unit 16.
[0025]
The measurement unit 16 includes a grating 42 and a photodiode array 46.
[0026]
The path of the fluorescence L1 or the reflected light L2 that has entered the measurement unit 16 is regulated by the slit 48. The fluorescent light L1 or the reflected light L2 that has passed through the slit 48 is reflected by the mirror 50, reaches the grating 42, and is separated for spectrum measurement. The fluorescent light L1 or the reflected light L2 from the grating 42 is reflected by the mirror 52 and enters a photodiode array 46 as an inspection device. Data (information) of the fluorescence L1 or the reflected light L2 obtained as an output signal from the photodiode array 46 is processed by, for example, a personal computer 54 and displayed on a display device 56 as a spectral pattern. The personal computer 54 also functions as correction means for correcting the fluorescence spectrum pattern with the reflected light spectrum pattern.
[0027]
Next, a method for measuring skin according to the present embodiment using the above-described measuring device 10 will be described.
[0028]
Prior to specifically describing the skin measuring method according to the present embodiment, a description will be given of the fluorescence characteristics when the skin is irradiated with light.
[0029]
First, the fluorescence spectrum of the dermis component will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, this data is a sample of a commercially available collagen or elastin sample, and is represented by a two-dimensional spectrum with the vertical axis representing the excitation wavelength and the horizontal axis representing the fluorescence wavelength.
[0030]
FIG. 2 shows the fluorescence derived from collagen, and it can be seen that fluorescence having a large fluorescence intensity with 390 nm as the center wavelength is generated by the excitation wavelength of 335 nm.
[0031]
FIG. 3 shows the fluorescence derived from elastin, and it can be seen that fluorescence having a large fluorescence intensity with the center wavelength at 430 nm is generated by the excitation wavelength of 365 nm.
[0032]
For this reason, the excitation light has an excitation wavelength of 335 nm when measuring collagen, and has an excitation wavelength of 365 nm when measuring elastin.
[0033]
FIGS. 4 and 5 show the relationship between the fluorescence wavelength and the fluorescence intensity of collagen and elastin when using the respective excitation lights (wavelengths of 335 nm and 365 nm).
[0034]
Next, FIGS. 6 and 7 show examples of fluorescence spectrum patterns obtained when Japanese skin is used as a test object.
[0035]
As shown in FIG. 6, the fluorescence derived from collagen obtained by the excitation wavelength of 335 nm differs from FIG. 4, in which peaks of the fluorescence intensity are seen at two wavelengths of 390 nm and 430 nm. It can be seen that no fluorescence spectrum pattern was obtained.
[0036]
Also, as shown in FIG. 7, the fluorescence derived from elastin obtained by the excitation wavelength of 365 nm is different from FIG. 5 in that the peak wavelength shifts and a peak of the fluorescence intensity is observed at a wavelength of 450 nm. It can be seen that a true fluorescence spectrum pattern of the origin was not obtained.
[0037]
As described above, as a result of various investigations on the reason why a true fluorescence spectrum pattern cannot be obtained when a human is inspected, when light at the excitation wavelength (inspection light) travels in the epidermis before reaching the dermis It was considered that melanin contained in the epidermis and hemoglobin in the blood partially absorbed the light having the excitation wavelength or partially absorbed the generated fluorescence, and this could change the fluorescence spectrum pattern.
[0038]
In order to verify the above hypothesis, the following experiment was performed in which the same test site of the same human was irradiated with ultraviolet rays to change the amount of melanin in the epidermis and see the effect.
[0039]
FIG. 8 shows a fluorescence spectrum pattern obtained by irradiating a human skin irradiated with different amounts of ultraviolet rays with light having an excitation wavelength of 335 nm.
[0040]
The obtained fluorescence was derived from collagen, and it was found that the fluorescence intensity at the peak wavelength of 390 nm gradually decreased as the amount of ultraviolet irradiation increased, that is, as the amount of melanin in the epidermis increased.
[0041]
Next, FIGS. 9 and 10 show examples of examining the possibility of correcting the fluorescence spectrum pattern using the reflected light spectrum pattern, focusing on the fact that melanin or the like generally has a property of absorbing a part of light. .
[0042]
FIG. 9 shows a measurement of a fluorescence spectrum pattern derived from collagen at an excitation wavelength of 335 nm, and FIG. 10 shows a measurement of a fluorescence spectrum pattern derived from elastin at an excitation wavelength of 365 nm. (B) in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are the obtained fluorescence spectrum patterns. These fluorescence spectrum patterns are obtained by, for example, measuring the fluorescence obtained by irradiating the inspection light L1 of the mercury / xenon lamp 18 using the measuring device 10 described above. In FIG. 9B, the fluorescence spectrum pattern derived from collagen has two peak wavelengths of 390 nm and 430 nm. In FIG. 10 (b), the fluorescence spectrum pattern derived from elastin has an intensity peak at a wavelength of 450 nm. On the other hand, (a) in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 shows a reflected light spectrum pattern. That is, the reflected light obtained by irradiating the inspection light L2 of the halogen lamp 20 with the measuring device 10 described above was measured. In the reflected light spectrum pattern, absorption by hemoglobin is observed at two places indicated by arrows.
[0043]
FIGS. 9 and 10 (c) are obtained by correcting the fluorescence spectrum pattern of FIGS. 9 and 10 (b) using the reflected light spectrum pattern data of FIGS. 9 and 10 (a). Specifically, it is obtained by dividing the fluorescence intensity at each fluorescence wavelength by the reflected light intensity at the corresponding wavelength. Such processing and display can be performed using the personal computer 54 and the display device 56 of the measuring device 10 described above. In the corrected fluorescence spectrum pattern of FIG. 9C, the peak wavelength at 430 nm disappears, and the intrinsic peak wavelength derived from collagen is seen at 390 nm. On the other hand, in the corrected fluorescence spectrum pattern of FIG. 10C, the peak wavelength at 450 nm disappears, and the intrinsic peak wavelength derived from elastin is observed at 430 nm.
[0044]
In order to further confirm the effect of the above correction with respect to the absorption of melanin, a human skin irradiated with a different amount of ultraviolet light as a test object is irradiated with light having a predetermined excitation wavelength as in FIG. FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 show the fluorescence intensity at the fluorescence wavelength and the result of correcting the fluorescence intensity with the reflected light intensity. 11 and 12, the horizontal axis represents the level of blackening of the skin caused by the difference in the amount of ultraviolet irradiation, and the vertical axis represents the fluorescence intensity.
[0045]
In FIGS. 11 and 12, “before correction” means that in the case of FIG. 11, the skin of different blackening level has the fluorescence wavelength of 390 nm obtained when the light of the excitation wavelength of 335 nm is irradiated similarly to the case of FIG. 8. FIG. 12 shows the fluorescence intensity, and in the case of FIG. 12, the fluorescence intensity at the fluorescence wavelength of 430 nm obtained when the light of the excitation wavelength of 365 nm is similarly irradiated. On the other hand, “after correction” is obtained by dividing the value of the fluorescence intensity before correction by the value of the intensity of the reflected light having the wavelength of 390 nm or 430 nm in the same manner as in FIGS. 9 and 10.
[0046]
In each of FIGS. 11 and 12, the fluorescence intensity before correction has a linear change in value depending on the skin blackening level, whereas the fluorescence intensity after correction has a different skin blackening level. However, the values are almost the same. That is, the fluorescence intensity from which the influence of the blackening of the skin was removed by the correction was obtained.
[0047]
According to the method for measuring skin fluorescence according to the present embodiment described above, the above-described hemoglobin and melanin given to the fluorescence data by measuring the reflected light in combination with the fluorescence and correcting the fluorescence data with the reflected light data are used. In order to eliminate the influence, the fluorescence of the skin derived from collagen or the like can be accurately measured, and the condition of the skin can be suitably judged based on the fluorescence.
[0048]
Further, according to the skin fluorescence measurement apparatus according to the present embodiment, the above-described skin fluorescence measurement method can be suitably performed. In addition, measurement can be performed easily and quickly simply by irradiating the probe's irradiation part to the skin inspection site without using a skin exfoliated sample, and one measurement part is shared and instantaneous using switching means. The fluorescent light and the reflected light can be measured by switching the light source.
[0049]
【The invention's effect】
According to the method for measuring skin fluorescence according to the present invention, a predetermined portion of the skin is irradiated with the first inspection light having a predetermined wavelength, and the fluorescence generated from the predetermined portion is measured. Further irradiating the second inspection light including the wavelength, measuring the reflected light from a predetermined part, and correcting the fluorescence data by the reflected light data, it is possible to accurately measure the fluorescence of the skin, The condition of the skin can be appropriately determined based on the condition.
[0050]
Further, according to the skin fluorescence measurement apparatus of the present invention, the first light source for providing the first inspection light, the second light source for providing the second inspection light, the measurement unit, the probe, and the light source switching device And further having a correction means for correcting the fluorescence characteristic data with the reflected light characteristic data, it is possible to suitably realize the above-mentioned skin fluorescence measurement method, in particular, without using a skin peeling sample Measurement can be performed easily and quickly simply by irradiating the irradiation part of the probe to the site to be examined on the skin. Also, one measurement part is shared, and the light source is instantaneously switched using the switching means to change the fluorescence and reflected light. Can be measured.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a skin fluorescence measurement device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a graph showing a two-dimensional fluorescence spectrum of an excitation wavelength and a fluorescence wavelength for collagen fluorescence.
FIG. 3 is a graph showing a two-dimensional fluorescence spectrum of elastin fluorescence at an excitation wavelength and a fluorescence wavelength.
FIG. 4 is a graph showing an example of a fluorescence spectrum pattern measured for collagen using the prepared device.
FIG. 5 is a graph showing an example of a fluorescence spectrum pattern measured for elastin using the prepared device.
FIG. 6 is a graph showing an example of a fluorescence spectrum pattern derived from collagen obtained when skin is examined.
FIG. 7 is a graph showing an example of an elastin-derived fluorescence spectrum pattern obtained when skin is examined.
FIG. 8 is a graph showing a fluorescence spectrum pattern obtained by irradiating a human skin irradiated with different amounts of ultraviolet rays with light having an excitation wavelength of 335 nm.
FIG. 9 is a graph showing a fluorescence spectrum pattern derived from collagen, (a) showing a reflected light spectrum pattern, (b) showing a fluorescence spectrum pattern before correction, and (c) showing a fluorescence spectrum pattern after correction. Is shown.
10 is a graph showing a fluorescence spectrum pattern derived from elastin, (a) shows a reflected light spectrum pattern, (b) shows a fluorescence spectrum pattern before correction, and (c) shows a fluorescence spectrum pattern after correction. Is shown.
FIG. 11 is a graph showing the values before and after correction of the fluorescence intensity at a fluorescence wavelength of 390 nm obtained when the human skin irradiated with different amounts of ultraviolet light is irradiated with light having an excitation wavelength of 335 nm. FIG.
FIG. 12 is a graph showing the values before and after correction of the fluorescence intensity at a fluorescence wavelength of 430 nm obtained when a human skin irradiated with different amounts of ultraviolet light is irradiated with light having an excitation wavelength of 365 nm. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 10 measuring device 12 light source unit 14 probe 16 measuring unit 18 mercury / xenon lamp 20 halogen lamp 26 double monochromator 30 irradiation unit 32 first light guide unit 34 second light guide unit 36, 38 shutter 40 light source switching unit 42 grating 46 Photodiode array 54 Personal computer 56 Display device L1 First inspection light L2 Second inspection light

Claims (6)

A predetermined portion of the skin is irradiated with a first test light having a predetermined wavelength, and the fluorescence generated from the predetermined portion is measured. Irradiate, measure the reflected light from the predetermined site,
A method for measuring skin fluorescence, wherein the fluorescence data is corrected based on the reflected light data. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fluorescence data is corrected by dividing a fluorescence intensity of the fluorescence data by a reflection light intensity of a wavelength corresponding to the reflection light data. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fluorescence generated from the predetermined site is derived from collagen or elastin contained in the dermis of the skin. A first light source for providing first inspection light of a predetermined wavelength for measuring fluorescence generated from a skin inspection site, and a second inspection for obtaining reflected light including a wavelength corresponding to the wavelength of the fluorescence A second light source for providing light;
A first light guide portion that receives the first or second inspection light in a switchable manner and guides the light; and the first or second inspection light connected to the first light guide portion and guided. An irradiation unit that irradiates the inspection site with a probe having a second light guide unit connected to the irradiation unit and guiding the fluorescence or the reflected light from the inspection site.
A light source switching unit that switches between the first light source and the second light source incident on the first light guide unit, and a light source switching unit that is connected to the second light guide unit and receives the fluorescent light or the reflected light that is guided; A fluorescence measuring device for measuring the characteristic of the fluorescence or the reflected light. 5. The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a correction unit configured to correct the fluorescence data obtained by the measurement unit with the reflected light data. 6. The skin fluorescence measuring apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the fluorescence generated from the test site is derived from collagen or elastin contained in the dermis of the skin.

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