Analysis unit and system for assessment of hair condition

Abstract

A system for assessment of hair condition. The system has an analysis unit arranged to at least obtain a first follicular map representing a first plurality of hair root positions in a first videodermoscopy image. The analysis unit is arranged to analyse at least the first follicular map to determine an analysis result suitable for assessment of hair condition. The system may be arranged to perform an image processing algorithm on a first videodermoscopy image to obtain the first follicular map.

1 . An analysis unit for assessment of hair condition, the analysis unit comprising a map processor, the map processor being configured to:
 obtain a first follicular map representing a first plurality of hair root positions in a first videodermoscopy image, and   analyze at least the first follicular map to determine an analysis result suitable for assessment of hair condition.   
     
     
         2 . The analysis unit according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an image processor,
 the image processor configured to perform an image processing algorithm on a first videodermoscopy image to generate the first follicular map representing the first plurality of hair root positions in the first videodermoscopy image, and 
 the map processor being configured to obtain the first follicular map from the image processor. 
   
     
     
         3 . The analysis unit according to  claim 2 , the image processor being configured to, as part of obtaining the first follicular map, cooperate with a map modification unit, the map modification unit being configured to:
 present the first follicular map as obtained from the performing of the image processing algorithm on the first videodermoscopy image to a human assistant, and   allow the human assistant to review the first follicular map and to modify the first follicular map such as to, at least, add and/or remove one or more hair root positions from the first follicular map.   
     
     
         4 . The analysis unit according to  claim 1 , the map processor being configured to, as part of analyzing at least the first follicular map to determine the analysis result, perform a statistical analysis of hair root distances between hair roots positions of the first plurality of hair root positions. 
     
     
         5 . The analysis unit according to  claim 4 , the map processor being configured to, as part of performing the statistical analysis of hair root distances between hair root positions:
 determine a hair root distance distribution, and   determine at least a first and a second relative contribution to the hair root distance distribution of at least a first and a second distribution component function.   
     
     
         6 . The analysis unit according to  claim 5 , the relative contribution of the first distribution component function being an indication for a degree of a hair disorder of a first type. 
     
     
         7 . The analysis unit according to  claim 1 , the map processor being further configured to at least:
 obtain a second follicular map representing a second plurality of hair root positions in a second videodermoscopy image, and   determine a common skin area from the first follicular map and the second follicular map.   
     
     
         8 . The analysis unit according to  claim 7 , the image processor being further configured to perform an image processing algorithm on a second videodermoscopy image to generate the second follicular map representing the second plurality of hair root positions in the second videodermoscopy image, and
 the map processor being configured to obtain the second follicular map from the image processor.   
     
     
         9 . The analysis unit according to  claim 7 , the map processor including a matching unit, the matching unit being configured to at least:
 relate hair root positions in the second follicular map to hair root positions of the first follicular map in the common skin area to determine a plurality of related hair root positions, each related hair root position of a hair root in the second follicular map being related to a hair root position in the first follicular map of the same hair root.   
     
     
         10 . The analysis unit according to  claim 7 , the map processor being further configured to at least:
 analyze differences between the common skin area in the first follicular map and the common skin area in the second follicular map to determine the analysis result suitable for assessment of hair condition.   
     
     
         11 . The analysis unit according to  claim 10 , the map processor being further configured to, in determining the analysis result:
 identify an appearing of new hair roots in the common skin area in the second follicular map compared to the common skin area in the first follicular map, and/or   identify a disappearing of hair roots from the common skin area in the second follicular map compared to the common skin area in the first follicular map.   
     
     
         12 . The analysis unit according to  claim 7 , the map processor being further configured to at least analyze differences between at least the common skin area in the first videodermoscopy image and the common skin area in the second videodermoscopy image to determine the analysis result suitable for assessment of hair condition. 
     
     
         13 . The analysis unit according to  claim 12 , the map processor being further configured to, in analyzing differences between at least the common skin area in the first videodermoscopy image and the common skin area in the second videodermoscopy image, determine differences between at least one parameters of a group of parameters consisting of average hair diameter, hair diameter distribution, average hair length, hair length distribution, hair colors, hair color distribution, and/or at least one hair density. 
     
     
         14 . A system for assessment of hair condition, further comprising:
 an upload unit;
 an analysis unit for assessment of hair condition, the analysis unit comprising:
 a map processor, the map processor being configured to:
 obtain a first follicular map representing a first plurality of hair root positions in a first videodermoscopy image, and 
 analyze at least the first follicular map to determine an analysis result suitable for assessment of hair condition; and 
 
 
 a presentation unit, 
   the upload unit being arranged to receive one or more videodermoscopy images, the one or more videodermoscopy images comprising at least the first videodermoscopy image and to upload the one or more videodermoscopy images to the analysis unit, and   the analysis unit being arranged to receive the one or more videodermoscopy images from the upload unit and to obtain a videodermoscopic analysis result from the one or more videodermoscopy images, the videodermoscopic analysis result comprising at least one of:
 the analysis result suitable for assessment of hair condition, and 
 an examination result derived from at least one of the analysis result suitable for assessment of hair condition, and 
   the presentation unit being arranged to receive the videodermoscopic analysis result from the analysis unit and to present at least part of the analysis result to a user.   
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 14 , further comprising a result check unit, the result check unit being configured to:
 receive the videodermoscopic analysis result from the analysis unit,   review the videodermoscopic analysis result and to modify the videodermoscopic analysis result, and   provide the videodermoscopic analysis result as modified to the presentation unit to allow the presentation unit to present at least part of the videodermoscopic analysis result as modified to the user.   
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 14 , at least one of the upload unit and the presentation unit being connected to the analysis unit via a communication network. 
     
     
         17 . A method for assessment of hair condition, the method comprising:
 obtaining a first follicular map representing a first plurality of hair root positions in a first videodermoscopy image, and   analyzing at least the first follicular map to determine an analysis result suitable for assessment of hair condition.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 performing an image processing algorithm on a first videodermoscopy image to obtain the first follicular map representing the first plurality of hair root positions in the first videodermoscopy image.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 obtaining a second follicular map representing a second plurality of hair root positions in a second videodermoscopy image, and   determining a common skin area from the first follicular map and the second follicular map.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 performing an image processing algorithm on a second videodermoscopy image to obtain the second follicular map representing the second plurality of hair root positions in the second videodermoscopy image.   
     
     
         21 . A non-transitory computer readable storage media having computer-executable instructions configured to, when executed by a processor, perform the steps comprising:
 obtaining a first follicular map representing a first plurality of hair root positions in a first videodermoscopy image; and   analyzing at least the first follicular map to determine an analysis result suitable for assessment of hair condition. .