Complexion Imaging: the 7th Generation

This is not like the "7th Generation" of the Star Wars Series. We are talking about the sophisticated  VISIA Complexion Analysis from CANFIELD, who are now in its 7th product iteration.

The renowned company is making a complicated and tricky process (believe it or not, a robust face and complexion image is very tricky to do) into a very user-friendly system.

Standardized images required a very sophisticated imaging methodology, which includes standardized lighting (yes... including polarization and frequencies !!!) and image capture parameters. This is particularly critical when post-imaging image analysis is part of the package. Otherwise...how is is the comparison relevant.

Some of the multiple image post-analysis features offered by the company are very nice, and are relevant in practice. Other are really borderline.... like the "eyelash" analysis. Seriously?? who is ready to pay for this.

Well, we really like the product.
Is this only for cute white caucasian ladies as featured on their website. I would suggest a more diverse view of the market and marketing positioning (or is the product not capable to work on dark or asian skins ?). Hmmmm ?

OKU : Personal Skin Coach : is it real?

OKU Claims to be the first iPhone enabled Personal Skin Coach, and is now taking pre-orders on line.

The idea of an iPhone connected imaging interface that addresses the major challenges of reproducible and quantified skin imaging is definitely attractive, and there is a market for that..

But OKU's technology platform remains a big mystery. For engineers, the "OKU Technology" tab on the company website is simply disappointing. Name dropping "dermoscopy", "nanotechnology" and "spectroscopy" just alone simply does not work for us. Indeed, the potential of such technologies can be fantastic.... please tell us more! Show us how it works ( a little movie maybe ?) ... this is how you will make a difference as skin imaging is not trivial.

Having said that, and despite the cute but disappointing "marketing packaging" of the entire website (and lack of real product pictures, images and data), there are several product features that are quite attractive, including the portable imaging device and its docking station (please convince me that this is not "just" a webcam) and the simple and effective design of the iPhone App.

So in short....taking pre-orders at $249.95 for a due-date of "late Spring 2015" is a very aggressive call, and will probably convince grand parents who want to make a graduation present to their high-school grand-daughter with chronic acne. 

Please let's be serious.... show us a real product, explain your technology, show us real data and pictures to be more convincing. there is a lot going on in this industry and we all expect more fro a incoming player.

Google alerts are active on "OKU". We shall see.

Vivascan, by Caliber I.D.

VivaScan is a safe, painless and simple in-office procedure that provides cellular images to enable your doctor to make a diagnosis and decide on treatment. 

With harmless laser light, VivaScan produces clear images of your skin cells that reveal a level of detail that, until now, was only possible with a traditional invasive biopsy. 

Because VivaScan does not damage the skin the way a biopsy does, it can take repeat images of the same area over time. With pain-free skin imaging, precise image quality, and fast results, VivaScan gives you a new level of comfort and confidence when caring for your skin.

The VivaScan® software makes it easy to schedule patients for examinations, perform imaging examinations on one or more lesions during a visit, review, and report on images obtained during an examination. VivaScan® operates each device in the VivaScope® product line. It is used on stand-alone devices, on VivaScope® imaging and reading systems connected by intranet within the same facility, and on systems at different facilities connected by way of the VivaNet® digital telepathology network.

The VivaScan® software is designed to accommodate a wide variety of customer needs, from a solo practitioner to an imaging group with several VivaScope® systems and access to more than one dermatopathologist.

CALIBER I.D. presents a full product line for Skin Imaging / Vivascope systems:

VivaScope® systems offer clinicians and researchers in the fields of medicine and product development the possibility of a real- time, noninvasive optical biopsy of the skin.

VivaScope® 1500 and VivaScope® 3000 systems are FDA 510(k) cleared and have become an integral part of many dermatology clinics and medical institutions for the diagnosis of skin cancers and diseases, and for the evaluation of wound-healing processes and treatment outcomes.

VivaScope® 1500 Multilaser systems are well suited for a wide variety of product development applications for skin care, and have been used by scientists world-wide for the evaluation of cosmeceuticals and pharmaceuticals for more than a decade.

Benefits of VivaScope® Systems:

•Quasi-histologic, cellular imaging comparable to histopathology

•Noninvasive, repeatable imaging; no tissue damage

•Skin tumor diagnosis with high sensitivity and specificity

•Real-time visualization of blood flow and inflammatory processes

•Therapeutic monitoring of the same area of skin over time

•Quantitative data for skin layer thickness and cell sizes

•FDA 510(k) cleared medical imaging technology

Magic Ring Skin Analysis Test Machine

We are pleased to quote the recent article from "Future Ready Singapore" that showcases four Skincare Innovations for Asian women, including one specific image-based Skin Analysis tool: 

" Asian women boast a wide range of complexions and skin textures. Premium skincare brand SK-II invented the Magic Ring Skin Analysis Test Machine to provide tailor-made skincare counselling, leveraging US consumer product giant P&G’s extensive research into skin science. 

Invented in Japan, the device takes a high-resolution picture of the skin and then analyses skin conditions in areas such as texture, firmness, wrinkles, radiance and spots. 

Based on the results, the beauty advisor then suggests a personalised skincare treatment regime."

April 16th , 2014: Nice review on INSTYLES. See here

January 2013 : First Bloggers Workshop in Singapore. See Here.

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.

$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

Derma Spectrometer DSM II ColorMeter

DermaSpectrometer, provides a new and innovative approach to color measurement read-out of the erythema and melanin indices based on the absorbance characteristics of the human skin. 

It is fully handheld, battery powered and microprocessor controlled to provide fast, easy and safe operation. Its fully handheld and lightweight design takes advantage of the latest development in color sensing technology, and the cable connected color sensing probe offers the highest degree of freedom and flexibility in operation.

Further, a special lens arrangement focuses on the target area and highly reduces the influence of ambient light. The instrument provides easy selection of different color systems, and calibration by using the supplied calibrator is done in seconds.

Price: ~ 7,000US Dollars

MyOwn App: A Fake App to Measure and track your skin's Health

My Own introduces a free app to support the sale of their product line of "pure, effective anti-aging skin care" products.
The app is positioned to perforrn in 3 steps:

Step1: Take your photo. The My Own app will take it from there, using facial recognition and clinical technology to measure your signs of aging. The analysis only takes a few minutes (see our comments below)

Step2: The My Own app builds a detailed map of six signs of aging: fine lines, deep wrinkles, crow's feet, age spot count and visibility. Then, every 30 days, take a new picture, and MyOwn will track your skin's progress.

Step 3: Based on your information, My Own gives you custom product recommendations, plus meaningful tips for skin care, lifestyle and overall health. It's the knowledge you need to give yourself beautiful, young looking skin that lasts"

The App is free, and only for iPhones. We are very skeptic about the quality and relevance of the entire imaging + treatment. "use the back camera for most accurate measurements"... does not make sense (how do you shoot at yourself with the back camera ?). Also, color calibration is not realistic, as "get in the best light" ... and "add white marker, shirt, headband" are just not realistic ways to create a solid and consistent assessment process.

And you need to "upload your photo" for treatment. Not sure we like that !

In any case, another good example of the interest of the convergence of technologies towards a more "personalized skin care".

Philips's Cristalize: a skin imaging service

Crystalize is a skin imaging service that helps you understand your skin and what it needs, so you can make smarter choices and get better results.

Christalize helps users to understand their unique skin. In one short consultation, the camera accurately and reliably images the skin. The images are analyzed to evaluate skin type, redness, texture and pigmentation. Based on the results, the sales consultant can recommend the products that best fit the skin type.

Crystalize is also an active Online community, where users can review their results and track their skin progress, while receiving specialized advice and peers shared experiences.

Too good to be true ? Perhaps.. as the Philips's backed-up venture did not make it from a business standpoint, stressing that the "Who Pays" remains the key question for technologies that enable "Personalized Skincare"

Light-CT™ Computed Tomography provides 2D and 3D digital images of tissue microstructure without modifying tissue

LLTech’s Light-CT™ Computed Tomography provides 2D and 3D digital images of tissue microstructure without modifying tissue.

Light-CT™ uses white light to scan beneath the surface of tissue. It does not require any tissue preparation, modification, or staining of any kind. Images are provided within minutes thanks to a non-destructive process, whereas histology (the current Gold Standard) takes several hours or days, and requires an actual slicing of the sample. The images offer a cellular resolution of 1 µm in all 3 dimensions. 3D views can be reconstructed and displayed using a standard DICOM viewer.

Light-CT™ technology produces high quality images that are comparable to histology.

The Light-CT™ scanner is an automated system. Image acquisition and calibration are automatic. Light-CT™ captures “en face” images directly using a megapixel camera and a pair of microscope objectives. Light-CT™ derives from low coherence interference microscopy. The interferometer can be displaced to step the focal plane through different depths beneath the surface to create a 3D tomographic image. “En face” capture allows Light-CT™ to operate with high lateral resolution (typically ~1µm) using medium or large aperture microscope objectives. An incoherent light source illuminates the whole field of the microscope objectives. Due to the low temporal coherence of the source, interference occurs only when the optical path lengths of the two arms of the interferometer are identical within 1µm. When a biological sample is placed under the microscope objective in the sample arm, the light reflected by the reference mirror interferes with the light reflected or backscattered by the sample structures contained in a limited volume. Real time signal processing is applied during depth exploration of the sample. The image stack is thereby optimized to allow 3D imaging.

Purpose of device: digital imaging of tissue microstructure including the border between the stratum corneum and the epidermis

Main application: medical practices

Price range: $120-$150,000