Method and apparatus for determining the lines of optimal direction for surgical cuts in the human skin
US6418339B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 16, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jul 9, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 16, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N21/4795
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The invention relates to a method and a device for in vivo detection of the direction of Langer's lines in the skin. Light is irradiated into the skin as primary light at one defined site (7) identified through the epidermis (6) in such a way that it is transported in the skin (5) by scattering or absorption, while part of said irradiated light emerges from the skin as secondary light in the region surrounding the irradiated site. An amplitude-dependent property of secondary light emerging from the skin (5) around the irradiated site is measured in order to determine the preferential direction of the diffuse light transport in the skin (5) and, consequently, determine the orientation of Langer's lines thereof.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.