JP2012139272A - Measuring device and measuring method for motor function of face surface and measuring aid - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device capable of accurately measuring the motions of a face surface (motion distance, motion speed, etc.) using a simple method.SOLUTION: A measuring aid (1) includes eyeglass frames having a lens retaining unit so formed to support only the lower part of a lens while not supporting the upper part of the lens, with a marker attached to the eyeglass frames. The measuring device (100) includes an image pickup means (5) for picking up images of a subject's face wearing the measuring aid (1) having the marker and worn on the subject's face; and an image analysis device (10) for analyzing the motions (motion distance, motion speed, etc.) of a part of the subject's face surface (e.g. upper eyelid) by taking in the images of the subject's face picked up by the image pickup means, and setting a reference point based on the position of the marker contained in the images, based on the reference point.

Description

  The present invention relates to a measuring device that measures a movement function (for example, a movement distance or a movement speed) of a face surface, and an auxiliary tool used for the measurement.

  The standard levator dysfunction diagnosis of drooping eyelids is a manual limb position measurement method reported by Beard C et al. In 1966 (Non-patent Document 1). This method measures the positional difference between downward and upward vision at the center of the lid margin, and has been used around the world as a standard for diagnosing the function of the levator ani muscle until now. However, this measurement method has a problem in measurement accuracy due to the instability of the ruler and the finger because the ruler is placed on the cheek of the subject and the eyebrows are moved upward and downward without moving the finger. There was a problem of poor reproducibility.

  On the other hand, in 1999, Frey M et al. Reported on a three-dimensional analysis of facial movement by image taking using two mirrors (Non-Patent Document 2).

The surgical treatment of blepharoptosis: A quantitative approach, Crowell Beard, Trans. Am. Ophthal. Soc 64: 401-487, 1966. The three-dimensional video analysis of facial movements: A new method to assess the quantity and quality of the smile., Frey M, et al., Plast.Reconstr. Surg. 104: 2032-2039, 1999.

  The device by Frey M et al. Can photograph the front and both sides of the face simultaneously from the front, and can analyze the movement of the face with reference points on both sides of the face. However, this apparatus becomes very large and versatile. A simple inspection device is desirable in the clinical field, and such a device is difficult to spread.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a device capable of measuring a motor function (motion distance, motion speed) of a part of the face surface (for example, upper eyelid) with high accuracy by a simple method. The purpose is to provide.

  In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a measurement auxiliary tool used for giving a reference point of a subject's face surface in measurement of a motor function of the face surface or the like.

  The first measurement auxiliary tool includes a spectacle frame having a lens holding portion formed so as to support only the lower portion of the lens without supporting the upper portion of the lens, and the marker is attached to the spectacle frame. The first measurement auxiliary tool may further include an ear tip that can be inserted into the ear canal of both ears of the subject and a connecting portion that connects the ear tip to the spectacle frame. A pole may be attached to the eartip.

  The second measurement auxiliary tool includes a spectacle frame having a lens holding portion formed so as to support only the lower portion of the lens without supporting the upper portion of the lens, and the measure is attached to the spectacle frame.

  The third measuring aid includes a headgear, a marker that provides a reference point, and a support that supports the marker.

  The fourth measurement auxiliary tool is a chair that includes a support portion that supports the head of the subject from the rear, and a marker that is attached to a connecting portion that extends from the support portion and that provides a reference point.

  The fifth measuring aid includes a pedestal, a support fixed to the pedestal and supporting at least one of the jaw and the forehead of the subject, and a marker for providing a reference point.

  In a second aspect of the present invention, a measuring device for measuring the motor function of the face surface is provided. The measurement apparatus includes an imaging unit that captures an image of the face of the subject wearing one of the measurement aids described above, an image of the face of the subject captured by the imaging unit, and a marker included in the image And an image analysis device that sets a reference point based on the position of the subject and analyzes the movement of the face portion of the subject based on the reference point.

  In a third aspect of the present invention, a method for measuring the motor function of a subject's face is provided. The method includes a step of capturing an image of the face of a subject wearing any of the measurement aids described above, and setting a reference point based on the position of the marker of the measurement aid included in the captured image. Analyzing the movement of the face surface portion of the subject based on the reference point.

  In a fourth aspect of the present invention, a program for measuring a motor function of a subject's face using an information processing apparatus is provided. The program captures an image of the face of a subject wearing any of the measurement aids described above, sets a reference point based on the position of the marker of the measurement aid included in the image, and sets the reference point. And a step of analyzing the motion of the facial surface portion of the subject based on the information processing apparatus.

  The present invention can easily and accurately provide the reference point on the face surface by the measuring aid. Therefore, taking an image of the subject's face while wearing the measurement aid, and using the marker of the measurement aid as a reference point in the image, and analyzing the movement of the subject's face based on the reference point Thus, measurement of the movement (movement distance, movement speed) of the face surface part (for example, the upper eyelid) can be performed with a simple method and with high accuracy.

The figure which showed the structure of the measuring apparatus of the movement distance and movement speed of the face surface part of one embodiment of this invention Block diagram of the image analyzer Diagram showing glasses-type measuring aid The figure which showed the state which the test subject mounted | wore with the spectacles type measurement auxiliary | assistance ((a) state when it looks downward, (b) state when it looks upward) Flow chart showing the processing of the measurement device when analyzing the function of the levator ani muscle using still images The figure which showed signs that the mark was plotted on the upper eyelid margins of the left and right eyes of the subject ((a) state when viewed downward, (b) state when viewed upward) The figure for demonstrating the measurement of the movement distance of the upper eyelid using the image of a top view, and the image of a bottom view Flow chart showing the processing of the measuring device when analyzing the function of the levator ani muscle using moving images Illustration for explaining the X-axis (horizontal line) and Y-axis set in the image The figure which showed the example of a display of the analysis result of upper eyelid movement The figure which shows the example which showed the measurement result of the movement speed and movement distance by the movement analysis system of the face surface of embodiment of this invention with the radar chart The figure which showed the example of the result of the measurement of the exercise speed and exercise distance which was performed with respect to the healthy subject by the measuring apparatus of embodiment of this invention The figure which showed another example of composition of the auxiliary tool for measurement The figure which showed another example of composition of the auxiliary tool for measurement The figure which showed another example of composition of the auxiliary tool for measurement The figure which showed another example of composition of the auxiliary tool for measurement

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  In the embodiment described below, a measurement auxiliary tool having a marker that provides a reference point is attached to the subject's face, an image of the subject's face is captured, and the captured image is analyzed using the marker of the captured image as a reference By doing so, analysis of the movement of the face surface (measurement of movement distance and movement speed) is performed. In this way, by providing a reference point for analyzing a captured image by using the marker of the auxiliary instrument for measurement, the motion of the face surface part is accurately analyzed (measurement of motion distance and motion speed) with a simple configuration. It becomes possible. The details will be described below.

1. Configuration FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a measuring device for the movement function (movement distance and movement speed) of the face surface according to the embodiment of the present invention. The measuring device 100 is configured using a digital camera 5 and an image analysis device 10.

  The digital camera 5 is a camera that can capture moving images and still images, and can output captured image data. The digital camera 5 may be a camera capable of high-speed shooting, thereby enabling more detailed data analysis. In particular, in this embodiment, the digital camera 5 captures an image (moving image or still image) of the face of the subject wearing the measurement auxiliary tool 1 and outputs the captured image data to the image analysis apparatus 10. Details of the measurement auxiliary tool 1 will be described later.

  The image analysis apparatus 10 includes an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer, and various functions are realized by predetermined software that controls the information processing apparatus. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the image analysis apparatus 10. The image analysis apparatus 10 includes a control unit 11 that controls the overall operation, a display unit 17 that performs screen display, an operation unit 19 that is operated by a user, and a data storage unit 21 that stores data and programs. The display unit 17 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display, and the operation unit 19 is a keyboard, a mouse, or the like. Further, the image analysis apparatus 10 includes an interface 25 for connecting to an external device or a network.

  The control unit 11 controls the overall operation of the image analysis apparatus 10. In particular, the control unit 11 includes a motion analysis unit 15 that analyzes the captured image and analyzes the motion of the face surface part. The control unit 11 includes a CPU and an MPU, and realizes functions to be described later by executing a predetermined program. The program executed by the control unit 11 is provided through a communication line, a recording medium such as a DVD-ROM or a CD-ROM, or a semiconductor integrated circuit.

  The data storage unit 21 is a means for storing data and programs, and can be composed of, for example, a hard disk, a semiconductor memory, or an optical disk. The data storage unit 21 stores information such as a program for executing a motion analysis and parameters necessary for the analysis.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the measurement auxiliary tool 1. The measurement auxiliary tool 1 is composed of an underblow type spectacle frame to which no lens is attached, and a marker 31 is mounted on the outside of the left and right hinges of the frame. The underblow spectacle frame is a frame that has a support frame that supports the lower part of the lens but does not have a support frame that supports the upper part of the lens. A dot is marked at the center position of the marker 31 for easy tracking. These dots become the left and right reference points for measuring the face position. In the example of FIG. 3, two markers 31 are provided, but the number of markers 31 may be three or more. The position of the marker 31 is not limited to the position shown in FIG.

  The measuring aid 1 is used by being attached to the face of the subject. FIG. 4 is a view showing a state in which the glasses-type measurement auxiliary tool 1 is attached to a subject. FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a state when the subject looks down with the glasses-type measurement auxiliary tool 1 attached, and FIG. 4B shows the glasses-type measurement auxiliary tool. It is the figure which showed a mode when a test subject looked upwards in the state which mounted | wore.

2. Operation Hereinafter, the operation of the measuring apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described using an analysis operation of the levator ani muscle function as an example.

  In the measuring apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the digital camera 5 captures an image (moving image, still image) of the face of the subject wearing the measurement auxiliary tool 1, and the captured image is transmitted to the image analysis apparatus 10. The image analysis device 10 analyzes the levator ani muscle function based on the received captured image.

2.1 Analysis Operation Using Still Image First, the operation of the measurement apparatus 100 when analyzing the levator ani muscle function using the still image captured by the digital camera 5 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the measuring apparatus 100 when analyzing the function of the levator ani muscle using a still image.

  First, the glasses-type measuring aid 1 is attached to the face of the subject, and in this state, a still image of the face of the subject is captured by the digital camera 5. Specifically, the digital camera 5 includes the face of the subject when viewed downward with the glasses-type measuring aid 1 attached (see FIG. 4A) and the face of the subject when viewed upward (see FIG. 4A). Each still image is taken with reference to FIG.

  The control unit 11 of the image analysis apparatus 10 captures the image of the face of the subject when viewed downward and the image of the face of the subject when viewed upward from the digital camera 5 (S11).

  The control unit 11 adjusts the size of both images so that the size of the face included in the downward-view image matches the size of the face included in the upward-view image (S12).

  In this state, a downward view image and an upward view image are displayed on the display unit 17 of the image analysis apparatus 10. The user plots the mark (measurement point) and the marker 31 on the upper eyelid edge of both eyes using a pointing device such as a mouse or a touch pen with reference to the downward-viewed image displayed on the display unit 17. For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, in the downward-viewed image, the mark Mrd is plotted on the upper eyelid edge of the right eye, and the mark Mld is plotted on the upper eyelid edge of the left eye. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 6B, in the upward-viewed image, the mark Mru is plotted on the upper eyelid edge of the right eye, and the mark Mlu is plotted on the upper eyelid edge of the left eye. The control unit 11 recognizes the positions of the plotted marks Mrd, Mld, Mru, Mlu, and the marker 31 (S13).

  The control unit 11 combines the upward-viewed image and the downward-viewed image with reference to the position of the marker 31 of the measurement auxiliary tool 1 (S14). That is, the control unit 11 synthesizes the upward-viewed image and the downward-viewed image so that the positions of the corresponding markers 31 in both images coincide. FIG. 7 shows an example of a composite image.

  Then, the control unit 11 measures the distance (the movement distance of the upper eyelid) between the marks Mru and Mlu in the upper-view image and the marks Mrd and Mld in the lower-view image. That is, for the right eye, the distance dr between the upward-viewing mark Mru and the downward-viewing mark Mrd is measured, and for the left eye, the distance dl between the upward-viewing mark Mlu and the downward-viewing mark Mld is measured ( (See FIG. 7). Note that the actual size of the measuring aid 1 is known. For example, in the measurement auxiliary tool 1 shown in FIG. 7, since the length from the end of the lens frame to the end is 107 mm, the actual length of the lens frame from end to end and the length in the image , The actual lengths of the distances dr and dl between the marks can be obtained.

  As described above, the image analysis apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can measure the movement distance of the upper eyelid from the image of the face to which the glasses-type measurement auxiliary tool 1 is attached. In particular, since the measurement auxiliary tool 1 has a glasses shape and can be fitted to the face of the subject, the relative positional relationship between the marker 31 of the measurement auxiliary tool 1 and the face of the subject is unlikely to change. Therefore, by using such a glasses-type measuring aid 1, the reference point of the face can be provided easily and accurately, and as a result, the exercise distance can be measured easily and with high accuracy.

2.2 Analysis Operation Using Moving Image Next, an operation when analyzing the function of the levator ani muscle using a moving image captured by the digital camera 5 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the measuring apparatus 100 when measuring the levator ani muscle function using a moving image.

  The subject wears the glasses-type measuring aid 1 on the face, and in this state, the digital camera 5 captures a moving image of the subject's face. At this time, the digital camera 5 shows a moving image when the subject moves the upper eyelid while wearing the glasses-type measuring aid 1, that is, the subject when viewed from the face of the subject when viewed downward. A video including the face of

  The control unit 11 of the image analysis apparatus 10 captures a moving image of the upper eyelid when the subject wears the glasses-type measurement auxiliary tool 1 captured by the digital camera 5 (the subject's view when viewed downward). A face image and a moving image including the face image of the subject when viewed from above are captured (S21).

  In this state, the display unit 17 of the image analysis apparatus 10 displays an image when viewed downward and an image when viewed upward. The user refers to the image at the time of downward view and the image at the time of upward view displayed on the display unit 17, and marks (measurement points) on the marker 31 of the measurement aid 1 and the upper eyelid edge of both eyes. ) Plot Mr, Ml. Thereby, the control part 11 recognizes each mark (measurement point) Mr and Ml plotted with the marker 31 (S22) (refer FIG. 9). The control unit 11 tracks the positions of the marks (measurement points) Mr and Ml recognized in this way for each frame of the moving image.

  Further, the control unit 11 sets the horizontal line connecting the left and right markers 31 to the X axis, sets the perpendicular to the Y axis, and sets the coordinate system (S23). Note that Y = 0 on the horizontal line. Based on the coordinate system set in this way, the positions of the upper eyelid edge marks Mr and Ml are measured for each frame image of the moving image.

The control unit 11 (movement analysis unit 15) performs analysis of upper eyelid movement (measurement of movement distance and movement speed) (S24). That is, the control unit 11 tracks the position of the plotted upper eyelid edge marks Mr and Ml in each frame image of the moving image, and measures the movement distance and the movement speed of the upper eyelid (eyelid). The movement distance and movement speed of the upper eyelid (edge) can be obtained by the following equations.
Movement distance of upper eyelid (edge) = Y-axis maximum coordinate value-Y-axis minimum coordinate value (1)
Upper eye movement (upper eyelid) maximum motion speed = Maximum speed in the positive Y-axis direction (2)
Maximum downward velocity of upper eyelid (edge) = Maximum velocity in Y-axis negative direction (3)

  The result analyzed by the image analysis apparatus 10 is stored in the data storage unit 21 as analysis data. Moreover, you may display on the display part 17 so that an analysis result can be recognized visually easily. FIG. 10 shows a display example of the analysis result of the upper eyelid movement. FIG. 10A is a diagram showing the measurement results of the movement distance of the upper eyelid in each of the upward view and the downward view, with the horizontal axis indicating time and the vertical axis indicating distance. FIG. 10B is a diagram showing the measurement result of the upper eyelid movement speed in each of the upward view and the downward view, with the horizontal axis indicating time and the vertical axis indicating speed. In addition, the analysis of the upper eyelid movement based on the image as described above (that is, the operation of the movement analysis unit 15) uses known moving image analysis software (for example, DIPP-Motion Pro 2D Ver2.24, Detect Co., Ltd.). This can be achieved.

  Moreover, the obtained data can be used as a radar chart to express the eyelid movement function in an easy-to-understand manner. FIG. 11 shows an example of a radar chart. The horizontal axis is the movement speed (cm / sec), the vertical axis is the movement distance (mm), and the intersection of both axes is the position of the horizontal line (Y = 0) in front view. Such a radar chart can visually express the eyelid movement function, and a user (for example, a doctor) can easily grasp the eyelid movement function based on the quadrilateral shape of the radar chart. Therefore, such a radar chart is useful for diagnosis and evaluation of motor function deterioration. In FIG. 11, the upper charts, that is, (a) and (b) are the measurement results when the eyebrows are not pressed, and the lower charts, that is, (c) and (d) are the measurements when the eyebrows are pressed. It is a result. In FIG. 11, the left charts, that is, (a) and (c) are the measurement results for the right eye, and the right charts, that is, (b) and (d) are the measurement results for the left eye.

3. Result of measurement of eyelid function Using the measuring apparatus 100 of this embodiment, the eyelid levator muscle movement was measured for 15 healthy individuals aged 20 to 35 years. Comparison was made between those measured by eyebrow compression according to the method of Beard C et al. And those measured without eyebrow compression. FIG. 12 shows the measurement results. The average value was 12 to 13 mm, which was within the range of the normal value (12 to 15 mm) of the levator muscle function. Moreover, while there is little difference between eyebrow pressure (+) and eyebrow pressure (-), the movement speed is 11 to 12 cm / second for eyebrow compression (-), and it is found that the eyebrow pressure decreases by 2 cm / second. It was. The reason for performing eyebrow compression was to eliminate the distance of eyelid elevation movement due to frontal muscle contraction when viewed from above. However, it was found from this data that eyebrow compression has a greater effect on the speed of movement than the distance for lifting the eyelids.

  Therefore, by comparing the data with eyebrow compression and without eyebrow compression, we obtained a new finding that the movement speed of the pure levator ani muscle and the frontal muscle contraction force when raising the eyelid can be measured separately.

  As described above, according to the measuring apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the motion image is analyzed using the marker of the measurement auxiliary tool 1 as a reference point, so that the motion analysis of the facial surface portion based on the image can be performed with high accuracy. Can do. It is also possible to send video data obtained at a remote location without an analysis device dedicated to motion analysis to the center analysis device via the network, analyze it with the center analysis device, and feed back the analysis results to the remote location. Good. Thereby, even in a remote place where there is no equipment, the analysis of the facial surface part can be performed with high accuracy.

  In the present embodiment, the upper eyelid is taken as an example of the measurement site for the motor function, but the measurement site is not limited to the upper eyelid. The movement of an arbitrary part of the face can be analyzed by plotting the face part (measurement point) to be measured on the image and causing the control unit 11 to recognize it. Moreover, the change in the position of the measurement point can be analyzed without being limited to the movement distance and the mobility speed.

4). Variations of measurement aids As an example of measurement aids, the glasses-type measurement aid 1 as shown in FIG. 3 has been described, but the configuration of the measurement aids is not limited thereto. Several variations of the measurement aid are described below.

(1) Measuring aid with eartips (Figure 13)
The measurement aid shown in FIG. 13 is obtained by connecting an eartip 33 that can be inserted into the left and right ear canals to the frame of the glasses-type measurement aid 1 shown in FIG. The ear canal is made up of bones and is difficult to move. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, an eartip 33 that can be inserted into the left and right external auditory canals is further connected to the glasses-type measuring aid 1 so that the glasses-type measuring aid 1 does not vary according to the movement of the face. Thereby, the shift | offset | difference of the marker 31 and a face is reduced more, and the precision of the measurement result obtained can be improved.

(2) Measuring aid with measure marker (Figure 14)
The auxiliary tool shown in FIG. 14 includes the left and right measure 34 instead of the left and right markers 31 (or in addition to the left and right markers 31) in the glasses-type measurement auxiliary tool 1 shown in FIG. In most healthy subjects, the height of the auricular temporal groove where the vine of the eyeglass is applied is almost horizontal, but the position of the auricle is lowered after operation of the auricle, facial nerve palsy, or congenital abnormality of the face. Often displaced. In such a case, it is difficult to draw a horizontal reference line using only the marker. Therefore, in this example, in order to obtain a horizontal reference point, a measure 34 with a scale of 2 cm in width and 1 mm is added outside the left and right hinges. The horizontal line is a line connecting the lower edge of the left eye cornea and the lower edge of the right eye cornea when viewed from above, and the intersection of the horizontal line and the left and right measure 34 is a corrected reference point.

(3) Variations of other measuring aids a) Other variations 1 (FIG. 15 (a))
The measurement aid shown in FIG. 15 (a) is obtained by further setting poles 37 on the eartips 33 on both sides inserted into the ear canal in the glasses-type measurement aid 1 shown in FIG. Thereby, a test subject's external auditory canal can be handled now as an absolute coordinate value. The coordinate values of the ear canal can be compared in examinations at different dates and times.
b) Other variation 2 (FIG. 15B)
As shown in FIG. 15 (b), a measurement aid that provides a reference point may be configured using the headgear 40. An ear chip 45 is connected to the headgear 40 via a connecting portion 43. Further, a support portion 47 is connected to the connecting portion 43 so as to support the marker 41 in front of the side surface of the subject's face. The ear tip 45 and the connecting portion 43 are not essential, and a support portion 47 that directly supports the marker 41 may be connected to the headgear.
c) Other variation 3 (FIG. 16 (c))
An auxiliary tool 50 shown in FIG. 16C is a chair-type measuring auxiliary tool. The subject can be supported from the back by the backrest 57 extending from the waist of the subject to the vicinity of the head, and the subject can bend backward and the trunk can be prevented from shaking. A support portion 51 is connected to the backrest portion 57 to support the marker 55 in front of the side surface of the subject's face.
d) Other variation 4 (FIG. 16 (d))
The measurement auxiliary tool 60 shown in FIG. 16D includes a pedestal 61, two struts 62 extending upward from the pedestal 61, a lower jaw holding portion 63 and a forehead portion provided between the two struts 62. Holding part 64. Further, a support portion 65 that supports the marker 66 in front of the side surface of the subject's face is connected to the support column 62. In the configuration of this example, since the head is firmly fixed, the head can be prevented from being displaced and a stable reference point can be provided. At least one of the lower jaw holding portion 63 and the forehead holding portion 64 may be provided.

5. Application Fields The application fields of the measurement apparatus 100 of the present embodiment will be described below with some examples.

(1) Diagnosis of aponeurosis drooping eyelid drooping is a disease in which the opening of the eyelid is reduced, and the eyelid may be difficult to open as an age-related change from a congenital one. Eyelid droop caused by age-related changes is called aponeurosis drooping. The levator levator muscle is attached to the pelvic cartilage of the upper eyelid via the levator aponeurosis. The aponeurosis ptosis develops when the levator aponeurosis changes due to age-related changes, contact lenses, or the eyes are rubbed strongly, or the aponeurosis is removed from the pelvic cartilage. The degree of aponeurosis ptosis is classified into a compensatory period that appears to be normal with frontal muscle power and a decompensated period in which the eyelids are clearly lowered. However, this classification has no clear diagnostic criteria. According to the measuring apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the eyelid movement distance and the movement speed can be easily measured. Therefore, the severity of aponeurosis ptosis can be classified and diagnosed using the measurement results obtained by the measurement apparatus 100 of the present embodiment.

For example, the measurement results are classified into the following three groups.
A: Group whose eyelid movement distance is normal (12 mm or more) and whose movement speed does not decrease due to eyebrow compression B: Group whose eyelid movement distance is normal (12 mm or more) but whose movement speed decreases due to eyebrow compression C: Eyelid movement distance Is abnormal (less than 12 mm) Group A has normal eyelid movement distance and does not require frontal muscle force to open, but can be diagnosed as normal. Group B can be diagnosed as having a normal eyelid movement distance but requiring frontal muscle strength for eyelid opening. Group C can be diagnosed as a decompensated period in which the eyelid movement distance has already decreased.

  Moreover, the measuring apparatus 100 of this embodiment can be applied to the determination of the effect of eyelid surgery. It can also be applied to the diagnosis of facial nerve palsy. Movement abnormalities of facial nerve palsy extend to the entire face such as the eyelids, lips, outer nose, and eyebrows. The measurement apparatus 100 of the present embodiment can digitize and evaluate the positional information of various facial measurement points.

(2) Application to facial paralysis Since movement abnormalities of facial paralysis cover the entire face such as the eyelids, lips, outer nose and eyebrows, the position information of various facial measurement points is digitized using this measuring device 100. Can be evaluated. For example, the operation effect on facial nerve palsy can be determined using the present measuring apparatus 100. For example, a case will be described as an example in which right eyebrow drooping symptoms occur after resection of a malignant tumor under the right temporal region. The nerve involved in the raising of the eyebrows was the facial nerve temporal branch, which was close to the tumor and was detached and preserved at the very end of the procedure. Symptoms of right eyebrow drooping are thought to be paralysis associated with this peeling operation. Six months after the operation, a mark (measurement point) was plotted on the right eyebrow, and the right eyebrow elevation movement (movement of the mark) was examined with the measurement apparatus 100. It was confirmed that the mark plotted on the right eyebrows moved in the direction of 1.0 to 1.3 mm Y-axis, thereby confirming nerve recovery.

(3) Application to surgical simulation of various facial morphological abnormalities When eyebrow drooping is permanent and there is no prospect of recovery, eyebrow elevation is performed statically. Surgery is performed in the sleeping state, but daily life is sitting or standing, and the eyebrows position varies depending on the body position. Accordingly, the surgeon moves the eyebrow position by predicting the eyebrow position in the sitting or standing position during the operation. At this time, since the reference position does not exist on the face surface, the fixed position depends on the experience and prediction of the operator. If the measurement aid of this embodiment is used before or during surgery, there is a reference and an ideal fixed position can be obtained.

  An example used as a preoperative simulation in the treatment of right microtia (congenital pinna deficiency) is shown. In plastic surgery, the right auricle is formed by surgery. At this time, the important points are the position of the auricle to be formed and the inclination of the long axis. If either or both of these are deviated, morphological failure occurs. The position and form of the right pinna are determined with reference to the form and position of the healthy side. The form can be created from the healthy auricle form, but a reference point for the position is required. Also, the left and right mirror image composites require matching standards because the face contours do not match on the left and right.

  Therefore, the above-described measuring aid was attached to the patient, and images of the left and right sides of the face were taken with the digital camera 5. The two digital images are converted to actual size, and further, left and right mirror images are synthesized. At this time, image composition is performed with reference to the marker position of the measurement auxiliary tool. From this synthesized image, the reference point for forming the pinna could be obtained on the patient side, and a good form of pinna reconstruction could be performed.

6). Usefulness of measuring aids The various measuring aids described above can be widely applied to the measurement of motor functions of facial parts other than the upper eyelid, and can also be used for the measurement of exercise distance and exercise speed. Can be used to give a reference point on the face surface.

  That is, the measurement auxiliary tool described above can provide two (or more) fixed points (reference points) on the face to all subjects by the marker. It seems that the reference point of the face can be obtained by marking on the left and right corners of the face, the corners of the eyes, the apex of the auricle, and the base of the nose wings. Is also different. Although the ear canal is recognized as the only fixed point on the face, it cannot be seen from the front of the face. Therefore, it is necessary to perform a complicated image analysis using a large-scale device, for example, a trihedral mirror, and it is not widely used in an actual clinical site and is not widespread.

  In response to this problem, the measurement auxiliary tool is simple enough to be worn on the face, can be carried, and does not require any special storage space. In addition, as described above, the measurement aid facilitates diagnosis and evaluation of various diseases. The conventional measurement method for drooping eyelids is based on the evaluation of the distance from lower view to upper view as a function of the levator muscle, but with this measurement aid, this distance is highly accurate and reproducible. Can be some data.

(1) Exercise distance Patients with drooping eyelids often visit the hospital with symptoms that the eyelids are difficult to open or the shoulders are stiff. These symptoms are caused not only by drooping eyelids but also by upper eyelid laxity due to age-related changes, eyelid skin stretching, and eyelids. Skin laxity is simply skin coverage and normal eyelid movement distance. All that is left is to remove the excess skin. For drooping eyelids, it is necessary to perform a muscle operation called the levator levator muscle. If this measurement aid is used, it is possible to distinguish and diagnose eyelid drooping disease and skin laxity and these complications.

  In addition, the main complaint of facial nerve palsy patients is that their eyes are not closed, and the symptoms that the eyes are not closed are caused by ocular palsy, which is the dominant muscle of the facial nerve. From the test results using this measurement aid, it was found that patients with facial nerve palsy are accompanied by a decline in the function of the levator ani muscle (the muscle that opens the eyelids) that antagonizes the ocular muscles. If facial nerve palsy heals naturally, it can be closed, but it supports the symptoms that eyes are hard to open, and if the course from the onset of facial nerve palsy is followed, early onset of drooping eyelids is diagnosed early It can be linked to functional preservation treatment such as rehabilitation. (If the eyelid is weighted and the eyelids are exercised, muscle training of the levator ani muscle can be performed to prevent the onset of drooping eyelids.)

(2) Movement speed In addition to the movement distance, the eyelid movement speed can be calculated. The drooping eyelid is largely divided into congenital drooping and acquired drooping. Except for trauma and facial nerve palsy, most acquired ptosis is aponeurosis ptosis. The levator levator muscle is attached to the pelvic cartilage of the upper eyelid via the levator aponeurosis. Allergic ptosis is caused by age-related changes in the levator aponeurosis, contact lenses, and strong eye rubs. Symptoms appear asymptomatic at the beginning, stiff shoulders, wrinkles of the eyebrows, and it becomes difficult to open the eyelids at the end. The decrease in the speed of movement appears before the abnormality in the distance of movement of the eyelids, and it is necessary to diagnose aponeurosis drooping at an early stage and connect it to treatment. It is said that aponeurosis ptosis has already occurred in a considerable proportion since the 20s, and it is considered necessary to examine the function of the eyelids at the screening level before going to the hospital. This measurement aid is considered to be highly useful as a tool for classifying and diagnosing aponeurosis ptosis from normal to compensatory and non-compensated periods.

  Particularly in recent years, with the increase in the elderly population, prolonged wearing of contact lenses and prolonged computer operation, aponeurosis ptosis has increased rapidly, and the frequency of visits to plastic surgery and ophthalmology has increased. There are various surgical methods for drooping eyelids, and the indications of surgical procedures differ depending on the symptoms and pathological conditions. This high-precision, reproducible measurement aid is considered useful not only for diagnosis but also for determining the ingenuity, development, and adaptation of the surgical technique.

(3) Evaluation Method for Facial Nerve Paralysis This measuring aid can be applied to the diagnosis and treatment of facial paralysis and the evaluation of treatment results in addition to the diagnosis and treatment of drooping eyelids. The frontal muscle, which is the dominant muscle of the facial nerve, is the only muscle that raises the eyebrows. By using this measuring aid and the eyebrows marking, the movement distance and speed can be obtained, and the treatment effect judgment is shown as a numerical value. What you can do is as described above. Facial paralysis is a movement disorder of the eyebrows, eyelids, nose, and mouth. By marking each point, comprehensive evaluation is possible, leading to the development of new evaluation methods. Congenital bilateral facial palsy (Moebius syndrome) is a disease in which bilaterally symmetric facial palsy is born. In the case of bilateral paralysis, the left and right movements cannot be compared, so the symptoms are difficult to understand. Diagnosis can be made by calculating data on the exercise distance and exercise speed and comparing them with standard values.

  This measuring aid can calculate facial movement and morphological position. In addition, by using this measurement aid, it becomes possible to detect facial motor function decline and early detection of diseases, which are difficult to evaluate by conventional examinations, and can be used for diagnosis. Furthermore, it is useful for pre- and post-operative evaluation and as a simple surgical simulation, and is widely used in fields related to the facial surface such as plastic surgery, otolaryngology, ophthalmology, and cosmetic surgery.

  The measuring device of the present invention can be used not only for diagnosing the elevated levator muscular function but also for diagnosing various eyelid movement disorders and abnormalities and for determining therapeutic effects. Facial nerve palsy is a disease that exhibits abnormal movements of the eyelids, lips, outer nose, and eyebrows. It is not limited to eyelid movements, and it is possible to diagnose abnormal movements of the entire face and determine treatment effects. Further, such a measuring aid is useful for determining the position when performing plastic surgery for abnormal facial morphology, and can be used for pre- and intra-operative simulations and post-operative effect determination.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Measuring aid 5 Digital camera 10 Facial surface part image analysis apparatus (information processing apparatus)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Control part 15 Motion analysis part 17 Display part 19 Operation part 21 Data storage part 25 Interface 31 Marker (reference point)
100 Measuring device for motor function (movement distance and speed) of facial surface

Claims (16)

An auxiliary tool used to provide a reference point on the face surface,
An auxiliary instrument for measurement, comprising: a spectacle frame having a lens holding part formed so as to support only the lower part of the lens without supporting the upper part of the lens, and a marker is attached to the spectacle frame.   The measurement auxiliary tool according to claim 1, further comprising: an ear tip that can be inserted into the ear canal of both ears of a subject, and a connecting portion that connects the ear tip to the eyeglass frame.   3. The measuring aid according to claim 2, further comprising a pole attached to the eartips of both ears. An auxiliary tool used to provide a reference point on the face surface,
An auxiliary instrument for measurement, comprising: a spectacle frame having a lens holding portion formed so as to support only the lower portion of the lens without supporting the upper portion of the lens, and a measure attached to the spectacle frame. An auxiliary tool used to provide a reference point on the face surface,
An auxiliary instrument for measurement, comprising: a headgear, a marker for giving the reference point, and a support part for supporting the marker. An auxiliary tool used to provide a reference point on the face surface,
A measuring aid, characterized in that it is a chair provided with a support part for supporting the head of the subject from the rear and a marker for attaching the reference point attached to a connecting part extending from the support part. . An auxiliary tool used to provide a reference point on the face surface,
An auxiliary instrument for measurement, comprising: a pedestal; a support part fixed to the pedestal and supporting at least one of the jaw part and the forehead part of the subject; and a marker for giving the reference point. A device for measuring the motor function of the face surface,
Imaging means for capturing an image of the face of the subject wearing the measurement auxiliary tool according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
Image analysis that captures an image of the face of the subject imaged by the imaging means, sets a reference point based on the position of the marker included in the image, and analyzes the movement of the face portion of the subject based on the reference point And a measuring device. The image analysis device measures at least one of a movement distance and a movement speed of a face surface portion of the subject based on the reference point.
The measuring apparatus according to claim 8.   The measurement device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the face surface part is a subject upper eyelid. A method of measuring the motor function of the face surface,
Capturing a face image of a subject wearing the measurement aid according to any one of claims 1 to 7;
Setting a reference point based on the position of the marker of the measurement aid included in the captured image, and analyzing the movement of the face surface part of the subject based on the reference point. A method for measuring the motor function of the face. The step of analyzing the movement measures at least one of a movement distance and a movement speed of the face surface portion of the subject based on the reference point.
The measurement method according to claim 11.   The measurement method according to claim 11, wherein the face surface part is an upper eyelid. A program for measuring the movement function of the face surface using an information processing device,
Capturing a face image of a subject wearing the measurement aid according to any one of claims 1 to 7;
Setting a reference point based on the position of the marker of the measurement aid included in the image, and causing the information processing apparatus to execute a step of analyzing the movement of the face surface portion of the subject based on the reference point;
This is a program for measuring the motor function of the facial surface. The step of analyzing the movement measures at least one of a movement distance and a movement speed of the face surface portion of the subject based on the reference point.
The motor function measuring program according to claim 14.   The motor function measuring program according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the face surface part is an upper eyelid.