What Does It Measure? The CutiScan measures the lateral skin displacement during circular suction/relaxation with a video camera (optical flow). It offers a new dimension of looking at the mechanical properties of the skin (viscoelasticity & anisotropy). The probe combines mechanical force with imaging. It consists of a suction ring which draws the skin uniformly in all directions with a constant negative pressure provided inside the CutiScan-device for some seconds. Then the applied pressure is released completely again for some seconds. During the suction and recovery time a high resolution CCD camera inside the probe monitors the displacement of each pixel by an optical flow algorithm (Horn-Schunk method) in a video. From that video an overall graph of the skin dislocation is calculated, offering interesting measurement parameters. Each direction in the graph provides a curve of suction vs. relaxation (related to those known from other mechanical measurement methods for the skin). The higher the skin’s ability to resist the displacement, the firmer the skin. According to its elastic/viscoelastic properties skin cannot get back to the original position immediately after the pressure has stopped. When looking at the skin displacement in all directions, it becomes obvious that in some directions the displacement and the returning rate are higher than in others depending on the linearity of the skin (anisotropy). There are no limits to applications wherever skin aging and elastic properties play a role. • Novel and promising approach. • Information not only about the elastic & viscoelastic properties but also on directionality of the skin (anisotropy). • For each measurement, a complete video is taken and saved. • From this video, a graph consisting of 360 elasticity curves is calculated. All curves can be saved in Excel®. • Overall measurement graphs are available for maximum and minimum amplitude as well as for the distribution of viscoelasticity. They can be easily transferred into Excel®. Measurement Info Skin elasticity curve in proportion to the angle Skin elasticity curve in proportion to the angle Technical Data Courage+Khazaka electronic GmbH since 1986 Device: Dimensions: 39 x 22.5 x 7.6 cm, Weight: 4.1 kg; Power supply: external 100-240 VAC, 47-63 Hz, DC 12V/4A; Mathias-Bruggen-Str. 91 ■ 50829 Koln ■ GERMANY Port: USB 2.0, type B connector; Probe with integrated camera unit: Dimensions: 14.5 x 5.5 x 4.7 cm, Weight: approx. 370 g, Suction ring: 14 mm 0, Connections to device: pneumatic & USB, Cable length: 150 cm; Camera module: Image area: phone +49 221 95 64 99 0 ■ fax +49 221 95 64 99 1 5mm 0; Resolution: 1280x 1024 pixel (approx. 1.3 MPix), Illumination: 20 UV-LEDs, (395nm - 400nm) [email protected] ■ www.courage-khazaka.de Measurement principle: suction (pressure setting up to 500 mbar) with simultaneous video of the displacement of the single image pixels, Units: displacement in pixel. Technical changes may be made without prior notice.