Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for assessing pigmentation of skin based on images thereof. In disclosed implementations, a cross-polarized blue image of skin is obtained and processed to extract pigment distribution information. Useful applications include assessing depigmentation, as in the skin condition vitiligo, as well as assessing re-pigmentation such as due to treatment. In addition to the spatial extent of depigmentation, implementations of the present disclosure can also provide the degree of depigmentation. The degree and area of depigmentation can be measured with better accuracy and sensitivity than known techniques.

Abstract: In an arrangement for detecting acne, particularly in its earliest stages before any humanly visible or palpable manifestations thereof have emerged, a green fluorescence image of skin illuminated with blue light is captured and processed to detect the presence of microcomedones. After correcting the green fluorescence image for the non-uniform distribution of excitation light on the skin, fluorescent spots are detected therein. The subset of fluorescent spots having an intensity lower than an intensity threshold and an area smaller than an area threshold are selected as representing candidate microcomedones. The subset can be further refined by eliminating fluorescent spots having irregular shapes, are associated with inflammation, or exhibit comedone features. Additional filtering can be applied by selecting those spots whose locations correspond to pore locations.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for modifying images of skin so as to reduce or enhance the appearance of component pigments, such as melanin and hemoglobin. A diffuse reflectance image of skin, such as a cross-polarized contact dermoscopy image, which conveys information regarding subsurface features of the skin, is processed so as to extract pigment distribution information, which is then used to correct the diffuse reflectance image, such as by reducing the appearance of melanin to allow better visualization of hemoglobin-related structures, such as vasculature. Alternatively, the diffuse reflectance image can be corrected so as to reduce the appearance of hemoglobin to allow better visualization of melanin-related structures.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed that assist a user in tracking changes that occur in an anatomical region of one or more subjects based on three-dimensional images of the region captured at different times, such as before and after treatment. In exemplary implementations, a three-dimensional anatomical reference model derived from a population of relevance to the subjects is deformed to fit at least a baseline image of each of the subjects. The deformed model of each subject's baseline image is further deformed to fit a follow-up image of the subject's anatomical region. The deformed models thus generated are used to establish sparse correspondences between the images from which surrounding, denser correspondences between the images are additionally found.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for multi-spectral imaging of tissue to obtain information about the distribution of fluorophores and chromophores in the tissue. Using specific spectral bands for illumination and specific spectral bands for detection, the signal-to-noise ratio and information related to the distribution of specific fluorophores is enhanced as compared to UV photography, which uses a single RGB image. Furthermore, the chromophore distribution information derived from the multi-spectral absorption images can be used to correct the fluorescence measurements. The combined fluorescence, absorption, and broadband reflectance data can be analyzed for disease diagnosis and skin feature detection.

Abstract: Methods and systems for age appearance simulation of a patient are provided. At least one embodiment of a method includes receiving an image of the patient (including a face of the patient), determining an ethnicity of the patient, determining an age of the patient, and determining a desired simulated age of the patient. An altered image to represent the desired simulated age of the patient may then be created, where altering the image includes utilizing a statistical ethnic aging model to alter at least one of a shape, a color, and a texture of the face. The altered image may be provided for display to the patient.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for capturing three-dimensional images, particularly of all or parts of human subjects and employing polarization. In disclosed implementations, cross-polarized, whole-body images of human subjects can be captured.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed that assist a user such as a doctor to track changes that occur in features of a subject's skin as the skin features evolve over time. Such a tracking can be done for images captured under different imaging/lighting modalities, by different image capture devices, and/or at different points in time. Methods and apparatus to automatically identify and track the unconstrained appearance/disappearance of skin features are disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method for performing image analysis include accessing a digital image of a subject, the digital image comprising a portion of a target substrate of the subject, the digital image comprising a portion of a calibration device; detecting a position of the calibration device by searching the digital image for a predetermined background color; detecting a plurality of color chips on the calibration device; mapping a position of the plurality of color chips on the digital image, each of the plurality of color chips comprising a predetermined chip color; comparing at least a portion of the plurality of color chips with a predetermined color standard; and altering the digital image, based on the comparison, to provide consistent image parameters with other images of the subject.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed that assist a user such as a doctor to track changes that occur in features of a subject's skin as the skin features evolve over time. Such a tracking can be done for images captured under different imaging/lighting modalities, by different image capture devices, and/or at different points in time. Methods and apparatus to automatically identify and track the unconstrained appearance/disappearance of skin features are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed that assist a user such as a doctor in examining large areas of skin quickly and effectively by determining an attribute associated with each of a plurality of skin features included in one or more images of skin; generating a tile image of each of the plurality of skin features; arranging the tile images in accordance with the attribute associated with each of the plurality of skin features; and controlling a display device to display the tile images of the plurality of skin features. Advantageously, systems and methods according to the present disclosure enable the organization and presentation of large sets of visual as well as non-visual data that can be readily navigated and assimilated by the user.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing an external flash and a global shutter for a device with an integrated rolling shutter camera entail synchronization of the external flash and shutter with the rolling shutter. Responsive to an indication from the device associated with the capture of one or more images, the external flash and shutter are controlled so that exposure is completed before the rolling shutter readout of the camera sensor begins. The disclosed methods and apparatus allow for high quality flash photography not previously possible with such cameras, commonly found in mobile devices, or the like.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for detecting acne, particularly in its earliest stages before any humanly visible or palpable manifestations thereof have emerged. An arrangement is described in which a green fluorescence image of an area of skin illuminated with blue light is captured and processed to detect the presence of microcomedones. The captured green fluorescence image is corrected for the non-uniform distribution of excitation light on the surface of the illuminated area of skin. Fluorescent spots are then detected in the corrected image. The subset of fluorescent spots having an intensity lower than an intensity threshold and an area smaller than an area threshold are selected as representative of candidate microcomedones. The subset can be further refined by eliminating fluorescent spots that have irregular shapes, are associated with inflammation, or exhibit comedone features. Additional filtering can be applied by selecting those spots whose locations correspond to those of pores.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method for performing image analysis include accessing a digital image of a subject, the digital image comprising a portion of a target substrate of the subject, the digital image comprising a portion of a calibration device; detecting a position of the calibration device by searching the digital image for a predetermined background color; detecting a plurality of color chips on the calibration device; mapping a position of the plurality of color chips on the digital image, each of the plurality of color chips comprising a predetermined chip color; comparing at least a portion of the plurality of color chips with a predetermined color standard; and altering the digital image, based on the comparison, to provide consistent image parameters with other images of the subject.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for multi-spectral imaging of tissue to obtain information about the distribution of fluorophores and chromophores in the tissue. Using specific spectral bands for illumination and specific spectral bands for detection, the signal-to-noise ratio and information related to the distribution of specific fluorophores is enhanced as compared to UV photography, which uses a single RGB image. Furthermore, the chromophore distribution information derived from the multi-spectral absorption images can be used to correct the fluorescence measurements. The combined fluorescence, absorption, and broadband reflectance data can be analyzed for disease diagnosis and skin feature detection.

Abstract: A dermatoscope has a generally circular viewing opening, a plurality of light sources including first and second groups of light sources arranged about the viewing opening, a first polarizer for polarizing light passing through the viewing opening, and a second polarizer for polarizing light emitted from the first group of light sources, wherein the first and second groups of light sources are arranged at different distances from a center of the viewing opening so that light from the second group of light sources is not polarized by the second polarizer. A further dermatoscope has a head portion including a generally circular viewing opening, and at least one light source arranged proximate to the viewing opening; and a body portion including an image capture device, wherein the head portion is pivotally attached to the body portion selectively allowing alignment of the center of the viewing opening with the center of the field of view of the image capture device.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system for performing image analysis include a calibration device comprising a first color correction region comprising a predetermined plurality of color chips; and a memory component that stores logic, that when executed, causes a processor to perform at least the following: access a digital image of a subject, the digital image comprising a portion of a skin of the subject, the digital image comprising a portion of the calibration device; calibrate the digital image using the first color correction region; analyze a condition within the digital image; and output one or more results corresponding to the condition within the digital image.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described that provide the ability to estimate the diffuse reflection component of an image of tissue such as skin captured without cross-polarization. It is thereby possible to estimate skin pigmentation information from an image of skin captured conventionally, such as, for example, a total reflection image, obtained in a conventional manner by shining white light on the skin and capturing the reflected light. The image may also be a partially diffuse reflection image, such as a low quality cross-polarized image. The diffuse reflection component of a captured image can then be further processed to obtain Red and Brown pigmentation images, useful for indicating the distribution of hemoglobin and melanin, the primary chromophores of skin. Additionally, a standard captured image of skin can be analyzed to obtain an estimate of the surface reflection component of the reflected light.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method for performing image analysis include accessing a digital image of a subject, the digital image comprising a portion of a target substrate of the subject, the digital image comprising a portion of a calibration device; detecting a position of the calibration device by searching the digital image for a predetermined background color; detecting a plurality of color chips on the calibration device; mapping a position of the plurality of color chips on the digital image, each of the plurality of color chips comprising a predetermined chip color; comparing at least a portion of the plurality of color chips with a predetermined color standard; and altering the digital image, based on the comparison, to provide consistent image parameters with other images of the subject.