Mobile snapshot hyperspectral imaging device for skin evaluation using diffractive optical elements.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Optics
• Medical Imaging Technology

Background:

• Non-invasive in vivo skin evaluation is crucial for dermatological diagnostics.
• Existing spectral imaging technologies can be cumbersome or lack portability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a mobile handheld snapshot hyperspectral imaging device for in vivo human skin assessment.
• To introduce a novel spectral imaging technology utilizing diffractive optical elements.

Main Methods:

• A mobile device was engineered with multiple LED light sources (VIS, 810 nm, 850 nm, 940 nm).
• A snapshot hyperspectral imager was created using a diffractive optical element (DOE) and a CMOS sensor.
• The device captures hyperspectral images of the skin within seconds, with subsequent spectral data recalculation.

Main Results:

• Experiments with skin tone color patches demonstrated reproducible image and spectral data acquisition.
• Initial in vivo application successfully identified changes in skin pigmentation.

Conclusions:

• A functional mobile snapshot hyperspectral imaging tool based on DOEs has been developed.
• This device and its future iterations hold potential for comprehensive in vivo skin evaluation.