SkinExplorer: a new high-tech platform to interact inside the skin by immersive virtual 3D cutaneous environment

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Medical Imaging
• Computer Science

Background:

• Confocal laser scanning microscopy enables 3D reconstruction of histological sections.
• Modern microscopes facilitate rapid creation of virtual 3D models.

Purpose of the Study:

• Develop a platform for reconstructing complex mosaic serial data.
• Enable immersive 3D interaction with skin data.
• Provide users with a sense of presence within the skin model.

Main Methods:

• Developed novel methods for data transformation and alternative representation.
• Optimized intensity, automatic matching algorithms, and depth alignment for volumetric reconstruction.
• Utilized rapid image processing to accelerate time-consuming reconstruction steps.

Main Results:

• Created SkinExplorer, a 3D exploration prototype for cutaneous microstructures.
• Enabled matching, depth alignment, and merging of serial histological sections into a unified visualization.
• Achieved significant speed-up in data processing and reconstruction.

Conclusions:

• SkinExplorer offers an immersive virtual environment for exploring skin microanatomy.
• Virtual reality technologies enhance data perception, alignment, and processing efficiency.
• The platform aids in interpreting complex 3D data, exploring virtual models, and visualizing cosmetic treatment effects.