MoistureMap MM 200

• The Measuring Principle

  

  The MoistureMap MM 200 features a sensor based on capacitive-touch imaging technology with hardened surface (epoxy composite material), a further development of the renowned L’Oréal SkinChip®*. The sensor gives graphical information on the near surface hydration distribution and the micro-topography of skin and other tissue (textiles, plants, etc.) which are quantitatively assessed. On the 1.8 x 1.28 mm sensor surface, over 90,000 capacitors are located in a spatial resolution of every 50 µm.

  The penetration of the electromagnetic field is measured on contact and expressed impressively on a scale of 255 grey levels. Conductive material e.g. water with its unique dielectric constant of around 80, will reflect the signal strongly (high permittivity) making the resulting pixel darker while

  non-conductive material will result in pixels on the lighter side of the grey level scale (lower permittivity).

  

  

• Advantages of the MoistureMap

  • Very flat sensor surface without metal rim for comfortable placement on the skin.
  • Quick and easy to handle, image capture/live image by a button on the probe handle.
  • Sensor is spring loaded for consistent contact force.
  • Calibrated probe with a sophisticated calibration certificate. All calibration data are saved in the probe. No further calibration needed by the user.
  • Perform in vitro applications with special accessories (e.g. cell cultures, tissue, plants, etc.).
  • Perfect addition to the quantitative MoistureMap with Corneometer® and Tewameter® measurements of hydration and TEWL, as it shows the distribution of the water on the skin surface.
  • The only instrument, which can work side by side with the established Corneometer® and Tewameter® in one software.

   

  Advantages of the NEW software:

   

  • Convenient, intuitive, modern software, easy to navigate.
  • Enlarged live image visible in the software including histogram.
  • Evenness of the hydration distribution is displayed in 5 different colours and a histogram, the ranges can be easily set by the user.
  • Regions of interest (ROI): Select any size for calculation rectangle or circle and move it around. The results change automatically.
  • You can select a second ROI in the same image and see the results side by side and the histograms on top of each other. E.g. calculate the complete image and compare it to one part of the image (with high or especially low moisture or a lesion etc.).
  • Focusing/cutting-out of pixels with specific grey levels in the pictures (e.g. sweat, spots, hair).
  • Numerical values expressing the moisture content based on the extensive L’Oréal research as well as an “Ɛ” value for permittivity and a value to express the homogeneity of moisture distribution in the image.
  • Take a video (.avi) to show kinetic effects of moisture distribution: select the number of frames you want to analyze to show a development over time, especially useful for in vitro applications, occlusion studies, etc.
  • As the sensor has no contact to the skin where lines and wrinkles are, they are perfectly visible in the image (background - no signal). In addition to looking at hydration, topographic measurements (polygon size, corner density, anisotropy index) give interesting aging parameters.
  • Take several pictures of neighbored skin sites in one measurement to average a larger surface.
  • Full flexibility: free measurements or measurements taken within a study. Use tags (product/control, skin site, explanation of the respective T, concentration of active ingredient, etc.) to identify measurements in the database for your statistical work.
  • Extremely easy and convenient export of all results, images, and raw data (e.g. histogram) to Excel®.
  • Impressive “3D”-style images to add to your documents and publications.
  • Captured images in grey levels and all other images generated by the software (pseudo-colours, topography analysis, “3D”) can be saved as standard jpg-files.

   

  *MoistureMap is licensed worldwide under the L'Oréal patent for the Skin Chip® (EP 1 438 922 B1). A variety of articles on the measurement principle have been published.

  

  

  

• Fields of Application

  Wherever skin moisture distribution plays a role, the MoistureMap MM 200 is a very impressive imaging addition to the pure quantitative measurements. In literature the use of such equipment is known for efficacy testing of cosmetics & pharmaceuticals & surfactants, skin photo-aging and illustration of skin lesions and scars. Capacitance imaging has also been used to determine to map the hair moisture level.**

   

  ** C. Piérard-Franchimont, G.E. Piérard, Hair Weathering and Hair Capacitance Mapping: a Pilot Study, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 11:179-182, 2012

  

• Technical Data

  Device only:

  Dimensions: 13 x 14.6 x 5 cm

  Weight: approx. 1.5 kg

  Power supply: external 100-240 VAC, 47-63 Hz, DC 12V/4A

  Port: USB 2.0, type B connector

   

  Probe only:

  Dimensions:

  Length: 16.6 cm

  Measurement head: 4.3 x 3 cm

  Weight: approx. 90 g

  Active measurement area: 18 x 12.8 mm

  Sensor size: 256 x 360 pixel

  Sensor resolution: 508 DPI 8Bit/pixel

  Measurement principle: relative permittivity

   

  optional item:

  MoistureMap in vitro Adapter

  Dimensions: 23 cm (H) x 8 cm x 8 cm

  Weight: 220 g

   

  Computer:

  Windows® 10/11, USB 2.0/3.0, computer specifications must meet system requirements (please ask for details).

   

  Technical changes may be made without prior notice.