Enhancing pigmentation in dermoscopy images
AssigneeCanfield Scientific, Incorporated
InventorSachin V. Patwardhan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims20
A method performed by a processor of a skin imaging apparatus comprising:
- obtaining a diffuse reflectance image of an area of skin, the area of skin having been illuminated with polarized light of a first polarization orientation and the diffuse reflectance image having been captured through polarization of a second polarization orientation orthogonal to the first polarization orientation;
- extracting from the diffuse reflectance image a pigment component of the diffuse reflectance image, the pigment component being representative of a pigment in the area of skin;
- generating a pigment absorption distribution image in accordance with the pigment component;
- generating a modified diffuse reflectance image by selectively combining, in accordance with a user input, the diffuse reflectance image and the pigment absorption distribution image so as to selectively reduce or enhance an appearance of the pigment in the modified diffuse reflectance image;
- and
- causing the modified diffuse reflectance image to be displayed, stored, transmitted or further processed.
A skin imaging apparatus comprising:
- a storage device configured to contain instructions;
- and
- a processor configured to execute the instructions to:
- obtain a diffuse reflectance image of an area of skin, the area of skin having been illuminated with polarized light of a first polarization orientation and the diffuse reflectance image having been captured through polarization of a second polarization orientation orthogonal to the first polarization orientation;
- extract from the diffuse reflectance image a pigment component of the diffuse reflectance image, the pigment component being representative of a pigment in the area of skin;
- generate a pigment absorption distribution image in accordance with the pigment component;
- generate a modified diffuse reflectance image by selectively combining, in accordance with a user input, the diffuse reflectance image and the pigment absorption distribution image so as to selectively reduce or enhance an appearance of the pigment in the modified diffuse reflectance image;
- and
- cause the modified diffuse reflectance image to be displayed, stored, transmitted or further processed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.