Announcing the 2014 and Third Edition of The International Dermatology Institute (IDI) Technology Forum on June 10th 2014

DermaNest, and TRI/Princeton jointly announce the 2014 and Third Edition of the  International Dermatology Institute Technical Forum on Tuesday June 10^th 2014, 3 – 6 pm, on the TRI/Princeton Campus

The Technical Forums at the International Dermatology Institute offer Technology-based companies an unique opportunity to showcase their latest solution to a selected panel of industry leaders seeking for new technologies in the field (e.g. R&D Department leaders, Product Portfolio Managers, Innovation scouts of large international companies)

Participants will have the opportunity to present their solutions (45 mins presentation and product demonstration) during a highly interactive and intimate format. The three-hour event will only be offered to a limited number of companies and followed by a networking reception and product demonstration. Company representatives will have the opportunity of making quality contact with companies such as P&G , Johnson and Johnson, Ashland, Colgate…

The International Dermatology Institute (IDI) offers dermatology focused start-up companies from around the world the opportunity to effectively advance their business, especially in the US.   By leveraging the services of DermaNest and the TRI Center for Skin Science and Applied Dermatology, small companies can locate themselves within and receive services from IDI on the Princeton, NJ based TRI Campus. The Princeton area is the heart of the largest pharmaceutical, biotech, drug discovery and life-sciences ecosystem in the world, and also includes the headquarters and laboratories of many world class skin care, cosmeticeutical and wound-care companies.

TRI and DermaNest share the common mission of aiding organizations in the development of personalized dermatology and cosmetics by providing technical solutions that include predictive diagnostics, imaging devices and therapeutic methods for the advanced dermatological, cosmetic, and wound care markets. To learn more about the IDI Model, please visit TRI’s website.

TRI Princeton is a non-profit research Institute dedicated to Research, Education and Service in advanced industries for more than 80 years and is a recognized authority in cosmetic science.  TRI provides technical innovation, research and claim support to the cosmetic and dermatology industries in addition to hosting various educational forums for professional scientists, including annual international conferences.  TRI’s Center for Skin Science and Advanced Dermatology specializes in the study of skin’s structure, behavior and variability with the goal of a more personalized approach to skin protection and repair based on genetic predisposition and variations occurring from age, disease and environmental impact. 

DermaNest develops the business of International Personalized Cosmetics and Skin-Care Solutions and Services for the US Markets. Personalized Solutions include Predictive Diagnostics, Therapies and Companion Diagnostics, for the Cosmetic, Cosmeceuticals and Wound Care markets. DermaNest's business model and highly experienced team empower early stage companies to play in high growth market segments, at a fraction of the cost of alternative solutions.

Wide-field Fluorescent and Darkfield Imaging on a cell-phone

UCLA researchers have developed a matchbox-sized attachment that converts a cell phone's camera into a fluorescent microscope. The device utilizes an inexpensive lens and battery-powered, light-emitting diodes to create a field of view some two orders of magnitude larger than previous cell-phone fluorescent microscopy technology.

It is more than five times smaller than previous cell phone microscopes.

By using side-illumination geometry, the device is also capable of dark-field microscopy on both fluorescent and non-fluorescent specimens, an illumination technique in which only light shown on a biological sample is captured, making it appear as if the sample is on a black background and enhancing the image. The side-illumination technique negates the need for more expensive thin-film interference filters typically used in fluorescent microscopy; an inexpensive plastic color filter can be used for this purpose.

Full publication here, with possible applications in Skin Imaging

$15 micro lens turns your smartphone into a microscope

The Micro Phone Lens, measuring just 1/4" in diameter, is designed to stick onto the lens of most cellphones (recommended 5 megapixel camera resolution), and easily capture images and videos ranging from 15X magnification up to 60X (using the phone's digital zoom feature). The design of the little lens is said to be a product of a "patent pending platinum catalyzed silicone technology" that yields an optical quality identical to that of glass, and yet is impervious to scratching and can be cleaned with soap and water. It self-adheres to the camera lens and can be installed or removed quickly and easily. Once the lens is on the phone, all you need to do is focus your image and click the shutter.

Imagine the possibilities when applied to skin imaging !

The Micro Phone Lens is currently in a crowdfunding phase on Kickstarter, and has gone well past its original goal of raising $5000. If you'd like to be one of the first to pick up one for your phone, a $15 pledge will secure your ability to soon take microscopic photos with your mobile.

Mobile Thermal Imaging is Coming

In our Industry Report published late August 2013, we discussed how mobile imaging was becoming more and more sophisticated. We discussed the emergence of iPad -based microscopes and also announced possible applications of IR-imaging iPads for Applied Skin Care.
The IR-Blue Thermal Imaging Smartphone affordable accessory is a good example of the technologies soon to be available.
The IR-Blue supports Bluetooth 2 and Bluetooth 4 BLE. It works with the iPhone 4S, 5, the New iPads and the 5th gen iPod Touch. It also works with Android 2.3 and newer devices with at least 480 x 800 resolution displays.

See KickStarter for a description of the venture.

Dermanest's 2013 Skin Imaging Industry Report:

Today Dermanest releases its 2013 Skin Imaging Industry Report.  The full report contains 42 pages (see table of content below) and is available on request (complimentary copies) at info@dermanest.com

 The goal of this work, developed in collaboration with DermaNest's partner TRI-Princeton, is to track the emergence of new imaging technologies that can be applied to skin and wound imaging. 

Since our last report in August 2012, we have added 17 new products to our survey (almost doubled), and included deep vein / vascularization imaging in addition to skin and wound.

Skin imaging has begun to move towards smartphone or tablet enabled technologies. The field of mobile imaging systems contains areas including smartphone accessories and enhanced software, allowing for improved mobile images an increasingly sophisticated analysis of the photos, which is performed either on the tablets ( with limited performance and questionable outcomes) or on the cloud with virtually unlimited capabilities for image management and data processing, including Artificial Intelligence based-algorithms that could offset the limited optical capabilities ( … for now) of Smart Phones. Interesting compromises are proposed by manufacturer who offer smart phone accessories coupled to Downloadable apps.

We expect an enormous development in the Smartphone optics in 2013-14. The ready-to launch iPhone 5S already brings a much more on-board camera, and there are many enhancing accessories hitting the market. In addition, several academic institutions and focusing their capabilities to innovate in the Mobile Microscopy field, which will be of very high relevance to applied skin care.

Table of Contents and List of Products

1)      Introduction  5

2)      Technologies Stratification  5

i)      In the USA  10

1.          Canfield Imaging Systems  12

2.          Enhanced Image Technologies  15

3.          DermLite  15

4.          Moritex and BrighTex Bio-Photonics  17

5.          Mobile solutions by BrighTex Bio-Photonics  17

6.          Profect Medical Technologies  18

7.          Caliber ( ex-Lucid) 18

8.          Christie Medical 19

9.          AccuVein  19

10.       VasaMed  20

11.       Wound Zoom   21

12.       Wound Matrix  21

13.       Emage  22

14.       TRUE-see Systems  22

15.       MyOwn  23

16.       SkinVision : Your Lifetime Skin Companion  24

ii)     In Europe, Australia, and Canada  25

17.       Courage + Khazaka electronic GmbH   27

18.       FotoFinder  28

19.       BME  29

20.       Astron Clinica  30

21.       Michelson Diagnostics  31

22.       Eykona Wound Measurement System   32

23.       Silhouette by Aranz  32

24.       SIMSYS  33

25.       MOWA  33

26.       Dr. Mole  34

27.       AVEAL  34

28.       Skinlabs  35

iii)         SmartPhone Optics Enhancing Devices. 36

29.       CellScope and iPadScope  36

3)      Discussion and observations  37

4)      References  40

Mobile Microscopy: CellScope and iPadScope

At the Fletcher Lab at the University of California, Berkeley, has designed equipment to turn the camera of a standard cell phone into a diagnostic-quality microscope with a magnification of 5x-60x. Cell-phone microscopy enables visualization of samples, followed by capture, organization, and transmission of images critical for diagnosis. This technology is applicable in a wide range of applications beyond diagnostic medicine. The team has developed a suite of devices to image everything from sub-micron bacteria to the surface of the eye.

See” Cell-phone Based Platform for Biomedical Device Development and Education Applications” where “we report the development of two attachments to a commercial cell phone that transform the phone's integrated lens and image sensor into a 350× microscope and visible-light spectrometer. The microscope is capable of transmission and polarized microscopy modes and is shown to have 1.5 micron resolution and a usable field-of-view of 150×150 microns^2 with no image processing, and approximately 350×350 microns^2 when post-processing is applied. “

SkinVision : Your Lifetime Skin Companion

SkinVision (https://skinvision.com) is a mobile app that allows you to understand your skin health and keep track of it. The mobile applications allow you to understand UV index along with your skin type. In addition you can easily and simply check skin lesions ( moles) by sending a photo and receiving an instant analysis and also find an appropriate dermatologist in your vicinity.

But SkinVision is simply more than an app. It is, in fact, a mobile and browser platform that enables users and dermatologists to verify suspicious skin lesions and monitor suspicious skin lesions over time. SkinVision intends to educate, raise awareness, provide automated assessments for moles, improve the relationship between dermatologists and their patients and ultimately, to reduce costs for skin care. This enables continuous supervision, independent of geographical location. SkinVision is an important and necessary step towards the future of skincare.

Skin conditions in general, and skin cancer - melanoma in particular, almost always have a cause related to lifestyle, and SkinVision's goal is to help change those lifestyles so more people stay healthy and the ones that need treatment receive it in time.

The product is not FDA approved and the company displays a very large and visible “disclaimer” related to medical applications.

Skin Science and Imaging: The fundamentals

Excellent overview provided by BrighTex Bio-Photonics on their "Mobile Solutions" website which we are quoting below:


Sun Damage
Sun damage or UV damage is caused by prolonged exposure to the sun and its UV A and B rays.

Acne
Acne Vulgaris, commonly called Acne, is a skin disease which affects the tiny pores on the face, arms, back and chest.

Dull Complexion
Dull Complexion indicates low skin tone evenness which may be due to blemishes, redness or other discolorations.

Skin Age
As skin ages, it becomes thinner and more easily damaged. Intensifying this effect is the decreasing ability of skin to heal itself as a person ages. skin aging is noted by a decrease in volume and elasticity.

Spots
Pigmentation or Spots is the localized change in skin color caused due to the variation in the amount and type of melanin production.

Skin Texture
Texture is the measure for the smoothness/roughness on the skin.

Under Eye Bag
The common as well as frustrating concerns for the under eye part are the dark circles and eye-bags (puffiness).

Wrinkles
Structural changes in specific parts of the dermis and the subcutaneous tissue producing a fold, ridge or crease on the skin is considered as a wrinkle.

Redness
Redness of the skin can present itself as erythema, rosacea, or broken capillaries indicating vascular damage

Oily Skin
Oily skin may appear shiny, thick and dull colored which is a result of overactive sebaceous glands producing excess sebum (oil).

First iPad App with real-time computer vision technology to assess moles

Purpose of device: Management and Identification of Malignant moles

Main application: Personal Use

 “DoctorMole uses advanced real-time computer vision technology to scan your moles in real time and give you instant risk feedback on Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter and Risk (ABCDE). It is quick and easy to use and allows you to save any photo you have taken to compare for evolution changes at a later stage.

+ Automatically scans moles in real-time

+ Detailed analysis provided to cover the (ABCDE) risks on your scanned mole

+ Save as many photos as you like

DoctorMole is the first app to use real-time computer vision technology to help in the assessment of your moles. This allows the user to easily take a photo of the desired target mole accurately with the correct lighting and distance. All the calculations are done on the phone so your results are instant and your data is safe. At any point you can review all your photos and their results and make comparisons between your moles at different times.”

MOWA: an Mobile / iPad Wound Analyzer

Purpose of device: Management of pressure ulcers

Main application: Health Professionals

 
“MOWA - Mobile Wound Analyzer - is an application for advanced management of pressure ulcers, diabetes and vascular disease. I

t is a sophisticated and practical software for analyze images of ulcers and may also be useful as a reference manual and guide for post -visual evaluation

SIMSYS: Mole Mate

Purpose of device: Imaging and detection of malignant moles

Main application: Medical Use

“MoleMate is a non-invasive, rapid, and painless melanoma screening device that has been specifically designed with and for General Practitioners and skin specialists.

By assisting and accelerating the diagnostic process, SIMSYT-MoleMate enables medical professionals to quickly scan and make a decision to refer a patient, to biopsy a lesion or immediately assure them that their lesion is not suspicious.”