No cure has been found for atopic dermatitis. But treatments and self-care measures can relieve itching and prevent new outbreaks. For example, it helps to avoid harsh soaps, moisturize your skin regularly, and apply medicated creams or ointments.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/atopic-dermatitis-eczema/home/ovc-20341956

1. Skin Cancer Service
2. Allergy Investigative Service
3. Management of Inflammatory Diseases
4. Consultation Service for Inpatients

http://www.beaumont.ie/dermatology

Kinect is an input device designed for computer gaming with the XBox^® video game console. The sensor enables the user to interact in virtual reality by means of body movement, hand gestures, and spoken commands [1]. It uses a color camera, infrared (IR) emitter, and IR sensor to compose a three-dimensional (3D) image comprising a “cloud” of over 200,000 points describing object position and surface as x, y, z coordinates. Besides its original application in gaming, this sensor has found use in retail, education, and training, with healthcare and therapy applications under evaluation [2]. In the summer of 2014, the second generation of Kinect (Kinect II) was released, but to date most publications describe the first-generation device (Kinect I).

This paper gives a brief overview of the latest research on healthcare imaging using Kinect. A comparison of the first- and second-generation devices is given, and then the influence of imaging distance, angle, and object color on sensor performance is examined to assess suitability for various medical imaging applications.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40846-016-0184-2

Physics of depth measurement for Kinect I [3, 67] and Kinect II [6, 7]

Kinect I

Kinect I evaluates distances (depth) based on structured light. This technology works in a way similar to passive stereo depth sensing, but instead of using two cameras with known position and orientation, one of the cameras is replaced by an IR emitter. The IR source emits a single beam that is split into a pseudo-random pattern of speckles by a diffraction grating . The beam is projected onto objects, which distort it according to their distance away from the IR source. By calculating the correlation between undistorted and observed speckle location based on 3D triangulation, object position and surface can be inferred . To identify each individual point within the camera image, the specific localized speckle pattern around it (referred to as its spatial neighborhood) is analyzed . However, extreme distortion due to challenging geometry can disrupt this spatial neighborhood, making it difficult to establish correspondence between distorted and undistorted patterns. This can lead to missing data, or holes, in the generated 3D image

Kinect II

Structured light | Time-of-flight
The second-generation Kinect II uses time-of-flight measurement to generate a 3D image. An IR wave is emitted and its reflection is detected by the Kinect II sensor. To compose a depth image, the phase shift between the emitted and incoming wave is analyzed, from which object distance is calculated. In practice, the phase shift is measured by comparing the incoming signal to four phase-shifted control signals]. The reflective properties of the imaged objects can introduce noise into the depth measurement and produce outliers or data drift. For example, sharp edges, semi-transparent objects or highly reflective surfaces can lead to ambiguous reflections and may appear blurred, with greater variation of depth values than anticipated.

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P—measured point on object surface

E—IR emitter

C—IR sensor

h—unknown distance of measured point from sensor origin

Known/fixed parameters
b—distance between emitter and sensor
α—angle of emitted IR light
f—focal length of the camera
c—speed of light
f—frequency of emitted IR light

It also helps diagnose the exact concentration of melanin and hemoglobin in the skin.

Traditional Chinese Medicine understands eczema as an imbalance of body’s energy which allows external pathogenic factors to attack causing itch, inflammation, as well as dry and red skin.

Chinese medicine treats eczema not by suppressing the immune response but rather correcting the imbalances that are causing the eczema. By correcting or removing these imbalances, Chinese medicine reduces inflammation and allows your body is able to heal on its own.

In eczema, the most common underlying imbalances are dampness, heat, and wind. To determine the imbalance, I will observe how the skin looks. If the skin is dry, cracked, and irritated, then too much heat may be the most significant factor in the eczema. If there is more swelling, crusting, and vesicles, then dampness may be the most significant factor.

Because Chinese medicine is holistic, we also consider how digestion, allergies, sleep, and emotional health play a role. Acupuncture points and herbs are selected specifically for their ability to correct that specific imbalance
ADVANTAGE

DISADVANTAGE

 

 

 

According to Chinese Medicine theory acupuncture and Chinese herbs can be prescribed to treat complex skin conditions such as eczema.

Having established the particular type of eczema, our doctor will then prescribe a course of Chinese herbs. According to CM theory there is also a comprehensive range of herbal creams and lotions to complement the Chinese herbs. You should seek advice on which cream or lotion is most suitable for your particular condition.