A.I. Powered quantitative imaging solutions to develop skincare products.
The BTBP Clarity TM systems are powered by artificial intelligence technology that rely on a combination of machine vision and machine learning methods to extract abstract information from an image, including but not limited to detecting a face, the facial features, and the skin areas to be measured.
We can take any image from any R&D imaging booth and provide the same level of analysis as a professional visual grader. This means studies can be made cheaper and faster so you can get your products to market quicker with less overhead. BTBP Clarity algorithms take human bias out of the picture and provided accurate result often than a person can.(Humans match to other humans at a rate of 70% a computer will match to a human perception 99% of the time based on studies done by our large clients.) With the same precision that will soon disrupt the medical imaging industry. Find small variations in skin to see and prove small changes caused by active ingredients.
Our technology helps address common research challenges and our systems support clinical services through several key features:
Reproducible & repeatable photography, with consistent lighting and positioning for before and after product use assessment
- Fixed chin rest and forehead stop for consistent positioning.
- Integrated color references for photo calibration.
- Light shield to eliminate overhead lighting.
Image calibration and color correction
Various Imaging Modalities
- Diffuse White Light Image.
- Parallel Polarized Image.
- Cross Polarized Image.
- Blue Filter (UV) Image.
Detailed skin and facial measurement algorithms validated using extensive visual assessment protocols
Automatic & accurate facial zoning and positioning enables tracking of individual skin care parameters such as lines, wrinkles or pores. Now product effect changes can be consistently measured and tracked for new and returning subjects, using BTBP’s sophisticated facial landmark detection.
Our 3-Step Approach for Unparalleled Repeatability
Specifically, our systems follow a three-step approach to ensuring that the same facial areas are photographed and that subsequent analysis of the skin attributes is derived from the same skin regions over the course of a study.
Mechanical positioning
The Clarity systems feature a chin and headrest to position and align the face, set at a consistent distance from the 3 Cameras within the photographic unit. The subject is positioned using the chin and headrest guides and subsequently, the software takes photos of the front, left and right profile simultaneously in each of the imaging modes set by the technician, i.e. 2D diffuse light, 3D, etc.
Image registration
Using BrighTex Bio-Photonics’ facial detection algorithms over 150 unique points are identified on the subject’s face within each front, left, right profile photograph. In addition to these points, a unique skin map is created for each subject, identifying the skin areas from within the face and the facial features. Combining the facial detection points and the skin map the Clarity system automatically creates facial zones identifying regions, such as the crow’s feet, forehead area, under eye zone, or the lips. These regions are mapped out on the face at each visit. In addition to the above, the software internally aligns the facial area to ensure the same skin features are detected and tracked through the course of a study.
Real-time guidance
Upon taking each subject’s baseline photograph an outline or detailed silhouette of the subject is created from each profile photo and saved with the subject record. During subsequent visits over the course of the study, this subject-specific silhouette is then overlaid on the live camera feed as an additional alignment guide for the technician. Furthermore, once the photo is taken, the software confirms that the subject positioning has not significantly shifted between the current visit photos and the baseline photographs.
Validating technology
Our proprietary, three-step approach is unique to the Clarity Systems and has been proven to achieve some of the highest repeatability levels in skin assessment within bioinstrumentation used for skin analysis. To further illustrate the degree of repeatability in the Clarity system below is a supplemental table which highlights the repeatability level of some of our most popular skin attributes.
Moreover, the validity of the measurements produced by the Clarity systems has been addressed through an extensive series of studies since the launch of our research systems in 2006.
A recent study comparing expert visual assessment against Clarity’s skin scoring algorithms was conducted with the clinical research division of a global Fortune 500 company, which makes and sells products under more than 1,000 brand names worldwide. The Clarity measurements were compared with scores provided by one of the foremost expert graders in the cosmetics and personal care industry. A vast array of protocols were included for each skin attribute, ranging from wrinkles to discrete pigmentation to ensure the most comprehensive comparison. The results of this study demonstrated that the algorithms powering the Clarity systems are able to assess an extensive set of skin attributes at greater than 80% degree of match to an expert visual grader.
Figure 1.0 Graph illustrating the similarity scoring between Clarity and the visual grader.
86% agreement between Clarity’s measurement and visual assessment of perioral wrinkles.
Further substantiating the Clarity system’s validity, Figure 1.0, a graph which highlights measurements taken from over 250 subject photographs as compared to the visual grader’s scoring results from live visual assessment. In this particular skin feature assessed, a match rate of 86% was achieved between Clarity and the visual grading expert.
BTBP Clarity TM 2D & 3D Research Systems: Repeatability Scoring by Skin Attribute. This repeatability data was collected through a study conducted using 4 subjects and photographs taken at 40 different visits using the BTBP Clarity TM 3D Research System.
| 3D Wrinkles |
Surface area
>96 % |
Volume
>94 % |
| 3D Texture |
Roughness
>97 % |
Volume
>96 % |
| 3D Lips |
Lip Curvature
>99 % |
Volume
>94 % |
| 2D Wrinkles |
Surface area
>97 % |
|
| 2D Texture |
Surface area
>95 % |
|
| Skin tone |
RGB
>98 % |
Volume
>98 % |
| Pigmentation |
Surface area
>94 % |
Volume
>98 % |
| Sub-surface Pigmentation |
Surface area
>96 % |
Intensity
>98 % |
| Redness |
Surface area
>96 % |
Intensity
>93 % |
| Pores |
Surface area
>95 % |
Intensity
>98 % |