Abstract: A shear device for use in transporting a molecule through a mammal's mammalian barrier membrane of at least one layer of cells includes a sheet containing an opening(s) and a shear member(s). The sheet is configured for contacting the mammalian barrier membrane (e.g., human skin) and the shear member is configured for ablating a portion of the mammalian barrier membrane forced through the opening(s). This ablating is accomplished by movement of the shear member(s) over the sheet and the opening(s). The ablation of the portion of the mammalian barrier membrane is such that a driving force can be employed to transport the molecule therethrough.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for transporting a molecule through a mammalian barrier membrane of at least one layer of cells comprising the steps of: ablating said membrane with a shear device; and utilizing a driving force to move said molecule through said perforated membrane.

Abstract: Instruments and methods for performing non-invasive measurements of analyte concentrations and for monitoring, analyzing and regulating tissue status, such as tissue glucose levels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of assessing the efficacy of skin care products by comparing images of the skin prior to and after use of said skin care product.

Abstract: A fluorescence standard for identifying variations in illumination during imaging has a composite fluorescent laminar structure, which fluoresces in response to light in the approximate wavelength range of 375 nm to 430 nm. The fluorescent object has at least two areas with different fluorescent response, e.g., a first made from a strongly luminescing material, such as GG420 filter glass. A portion of the GG420 glass is covered by filter glass having an attenuating effect on the fluorescent response. In accordance with a method of the present invention, variations in illumination during imaging with a camera are detected by placing the standard before the camera during imaging. Each captured image may contain the image of the standard and the fluorescent response of the standard in different images can be compared to identify any response changes due to variations in illumination. The variations in illumination can then be remediated by adjusting the source of illumination, the camera or ambient lighting.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for assessing photodamage has a digital imaging system for recording blue light imagining and in particular the green signal response intensity of the skin of a person, which is indicative of elastotic material and photodamage. Because the image data has a numerical intensity value, which may be expressed in RGB or L*a*b* colorspace, the image data taken from one image can be numerically compared to that of one or more other images and the image data is amenable to numerical and statistical analysis. Comparison to population profiles/image data permits an individual's image data to be characterized numerically, such as by a relative score or percentile rating. The image data can also be used to ascertain the degree of variation over a surface such as the face, with wider variation being indicative of greater photodamage.

Abstract: An imaging system and method has digital image capture and analysis capability. The digital images may be taken in a variety of illumination conditions, with the skin response indicating skin condition. The digital images may be converted from RGB format to L*a*b* format and analyzed quantitatively to assess color and brightness. The color/brightness information from the digital images may be used to assess skin condition and changes thereof, as well as selecting cosmetics provided in a range of colors. The color information gleaned from the digital images of a population may be utilized to identify a palette of colors for cosmetics or to aid in conducting clinical studies.

Abstract: An imaging station for taking a plurality of digital images of a subject under a plurality of illuminating conditions and storing and analyzing the digital images, includes a housing, containing the digital image capturing apparatus, like a camera or video recorder, a computer for processing the image data and one or more displays for displaying images of the person. The imaging station aids in controlling lighting during image capture and may be used to optimally position the subject for imaging. The computer may be programmed to conduct various image processing functions and may be networked to allow image sharing. A display which may be provided on the exterior of the housing allows an operator to visualize the subject and to control the imaging process. The imaging station may be used for teaching purposes.

Abstract: Provided are methods and devices for evaluating skin by introducing a fluid comprising water to the skin; measuring at least one skin barrier property that correlates to the water content of the skin over time, the measuring step comprising taking at least one measurement of the skin barrier property in the time frame starting from completion of the introducing step up to about 60 seconds after such introducing step and optionally taking a plurality of skin barrier property measurements after about 60 seconds after completion of the introducing step; and comparing the skin water content measurements of the measuring step with at least one Comparative Data Set to determine the relative infant-like barrier properties of the skin.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of measuring the efficacy of a skin treatment program on human skin. The method comprises: a. accessing a multiplicity of photographic images of human faces, each image having associated with it a chronological age of the human whose likeness it captures; b. assessing the multiplicity of photographic images of human faces for a facial parameter; c. scoring the facial parameter on each image according to a scoring system to create a parameter score for each image; d. correlating the parameter scores to the chronological ages to obtain an age-parameter correlation; e. scoring an untreated subject human face for the facial parameter to obtain a subject baseline parameter score; f. treating the subject human face with a skin treatment program; g. scoring the treated subject human face for the facial parameter to obtain a subject treatment parameter score; h.

Abstract: A system for conducting large scale clinical trials has a plurality of data collection nodes for collecting data from subjects participating in the clinical trial. A data analysis facility is located remotely from the data collection nodes and the data is communicated from the data collection nodes to the data analysis facility, where it is stored and analyzed. Each data collection node may include testing and data entry facilities, e.g., in the form of photographic equipment or various diagnostic and measuring probes, such as those used to measure skin color, elasticity and moisture content. The data nodes may be operated by the participant.

Abstract: A self-contained, handheld probe for measuring at least one parameter of skin condition, has one or more light sources that may be used to project light upon the skin. The light projected is of a selected wavelength known to generate a specific fluorescence that is indicative of the skin parameter of interest in accordance with a known correlation. To produce the proper excitation light, a light source generating that wavelength is used or a broader spectrum of light is selectively filtered to pass the wavelength of interest. Lenses, fiber optic elements or waveguides may be employed to project the light onto the skin at a specific location and/or to deliver the skin response to a light detector, which measures the light signal from the skin. and generates an output signal indicative of the value of the at least one parameter. The probe may be used to measure skin age, photodamage and/or proliferation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of photographing the skin of a person comprising: (i) illuminating the skin with at least one light source, wherein the light source emits substantially only light having a wavelength from about 380 to about 430 nm or emits light through a filter that emits substantially only light having a wavelength from about 380 to about 430 nm; and (ii) capturing the image of the illuminated skin with a camera; wherein the light entering the camera is also filtered with a long pass filter, wherein the long pass filter substantially eliminates light having a wavelength below about 400 nm.

Abstract: Compositions, devices, methods, and kits are provided for determining the presence of topical compositions on surfaces, such as skin.

Abstract: Compositions, devices, methods, and kits are provided for determining the presence of topical compositions on surfaces, such as skin.

Abstract: Compositions, devices, methods, and kits are provided for determining the presence of topical compositions on surfaces, such as skin.

Abstract: The present invention features a method of screening a compound for potential efficacy for the treatment of at least one sign of aging on the skin selected from the group consisting of enhancing the elasticity of said skin, enhancing the firmness of said skin, or reducing the appearance of wrinkles on the skin, said method comprising contacting one or more skin cells with said compound and measuring the ability of said compound to contract said one or more skin cells.

Abstract: Instruments and methods are described for performing non-invasive measurements of analyte levels and for monitoring, analyzing and regulating tissue status, such as tissue glucose levels.

Abstract: A device and a method for demonstrating skin texture are disclosed. The device includes a camera having a rotating linear analyzer and a polarized light source. The method includes taking a photograph of an individual using a device comprising a flash lamp having a rotating linear polarizer and a digital camera with a rotating linear analyzer, wherein the camera is positioned at 90 degrees from the flash lamp and the individual is placed such that the illumination angle to its surface normal is from about 45 degrees to about 135 degrees; exporting the photograph to a computer; and making a determination selected from the group consisting of the mean, the median, the intensity distribution and the autocorrelation on a region of interest of the image to demonstrate the texture of the skin.

Abstract: A skin testing and imaging station and corresponding method for capturing, displaying and analyzing images of a person and for testing the skin using a variety of probes includes a digital camera, a light source capable of providing at least two different wavelengths of light, a plurality of probes for conducting skin tests, a touch-screen display and a computer for controlling the components of the station. The apparatus selectively captures and displays a plurality of digital images using different wavelengths of illuminating light, e.g., using a plurality of flashes and filters, some of which may be adjustable to adjust the angle of incidence of the illuminating light on the subject. In video mode, the camera displays a real time image on the display facilitating a user to position a probe for testing any specific area of the skin. Preferably, the apparatus is self-serve, allowing any person to capture, review and analyze the images and skin data.