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MEMS-Based Portable Reflection Confocal Microscope for In Vivo Skin Imaging
Shuo Wang1, Dewen Xu1, Lin Ji1,2,3
1University of Science and Technology of China, School of Biomedical Engineering (Suzhou), Division of Life Science and Medicine, Hefei, China.
Journal of Biophotonics
|May 13, 2025
Summary
A new portable reflective confocal microscope (PCRM) uses MEMS micro-mirrors for handheld, non-invasive in vivo skin imaging. This compact device offers high resolution for diagnosing skin lesions and visualizing subsurface structures.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Optics
- Microscopy Engineering
- Dermatological Imaging
Background:
- Traditional skin biopsies are invasive and time-consuming.
- Existing confocal microscopes are often bulky and not portable.
- Need for advanced non-invasive imaging techniques in dermatology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a handheld portable reflective confocal microscope (PCRM) using MEMS micro-mirrors.
- To enable non-invasive in vivo skin imaging with high resolution and portability.
- To overcome limitations of current skin imaging and biopsy methods.
Main Methods:
- Integration of MEMS micro-mirrors into a confocal microscope design.
- Utilized an 830 nm laser and a commercial Olympus objective lens.
- Achieved precise mechanical control for handheld operation.
Main Results:
- Lateral resolution of 1.24 μm and axial resolution of 5.3 μm.
- Imaging speed of 11 frames/second over a 530 × 500 μm field of view.
- Successfully imaged skin layers and capillary blood flow in vivo.
Conclusions:
- The PCRM provides a compact, high-performance solution for non-invasive skin imaging.
- Demonstrated diagnostic potential for evaluating skin lesions.
- Offers a viable alternative to invasive biopsies for clinical applications.
