Abstract: A light image is conveyed from a biological tissue through a flexible optical system to an image receiver, where it is converted to a form which may be entered into a computer. The computer segments the image by generating a segmentation mask defining the boundary of a region of interest in at least one spectral band, estimates at least one rotationally and translationally invariant statistical measure of coefficient distributions of the multiscale wavelet maxima representations of the digital images in at least one spectral band, characterizes the condition of the tissue based on the estimated values, and outputs the characterization of the condition of the tissue.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the multispectral imaging of skin tissue enables automatic characterization of the condition of a region of interest of the skin, based on direct digital imaging of the region of interest or the digitization of color photographic slides of the region of interest, illuminated by appropriately filtered light. Preferably, a digital image at a low spectral band is automatically segmented and that segmented mask is used to segment the other images by a digital processor. Parameters related to the texture, asymmetry, blotchiness and border irregularities are also automatically estimated. The region of interest is automatically characterized by the digital processor, based on those parameters. The region of interest may include a skin lesion, in which case the present invention enables the characterization of the lesion as malignant or benign.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for imaging teeth includes illuminating a surface of a tooth and electronically imaging the tooth from a non-illuminated surface of the tooth with an electronic camera. Automatic control of the intensity of illumination is preferably provided to avoid saturation of the camera. The camera may include a charge-coupled-device and the resulting digital images are preferably enhanced by wavelet analysis. If a video camera is used, the images may be digitized and then enhanced. Current images of the tooth may be compared to prior images of the same tooth to monitor changes in the tooth over time. The images can be used to detect dental caries and other dental conditions. A handpiece for illuminating the tooth and receiving the light passing through the tooth for reception by the camera in a reproducible manner, is also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the multispectral imaging of skin tissue enables automatic characterization of the condition of a region of interest of the skin, based on direct digital imaging of the region of interest or the digitization of color photographic slides of the region of interest, illuminated by appropriately filtered light. Preferably, a digital image at a low spectral band is automatically segmented and that segmented mask is used to segment the other images by a digital processor. Parameters are estimated through wavelet maxima representations. Parameters related to the texture, asymmetry, blotchiness and border irregularities are also automatically estimated. The region of interest is automatically characterized by the digital processor, based on those parameters. The region of interest may include a skin lesion, in which case the present invention enables the characterization of the lesion as malignant or benign. The region of interest may also include wounds or burns.

Abstract: Common path, two beam interferometers and interferometric measurement systems employ a voltage controlled variable phase retarder enabling rapid stepping of the relative phase between two interfering optical beams by suitable control of the voltage. The beams need not be laterally separated. A compact beam expander with a ball lens is preferably included. The system is compact enough to be contained in a hand-held unit. The system can be used for surface mapping, testing of optical components and detecting the motion of mechanical objects, for example. It is particularly well suited for the mapping of the skin of a live subject. An optimum fringe period and optimum illumination wavelengths for imaging skin are disclosed, enabling the topography of substantial areas of human skin to be rapidly and accurately measured, in times on the order of one-tenth of a second. Methods of conducting interferometric analysis are disclosed, as well.