Handheld High-Resolution Ultrasonic Scanner for Quantitative Assessment of Skin Conditions

High-frequency ultrasound is a relatively new diagnostic technique that has shown potential to be a useful tool in different aspects of dermatology. This work presents an application of acoustic microscopy to non-invasive imaging of human skin, to identify fine skin structures and characterize skin lesions. Our research group has developed a portable ultrasonic microscope operating at 50 MHz and providing B-scans with 12 mm length and up to 3 mm depth, with axial resolution of 14 μm and lateral resolution of 70 μm. The design of this handheld skin scanner allows comfortable and convenient operation in a clinical environment. Raw acoustic data are processed to reduce noise, optimize the dynamic range and to form a two-dimensional B-scan image. The system non-invasively visualizes the outermost structures of the human skin, focusing on the upper dermis. The skin on different parts of the human body was imaged in healthy volunteers. Both the primary skin layers and skin appendages are identified in the obtained acoustical images. The benign melanocytic lesions and skin scars have been characterized by their acoustic properties. Skin layer thickness measurements at different parts of the body provide a base for statistical analysis and give information about skin conditions. Evaluation of skin morphology based on elastic modality has a significant potential for characterizing and monitoring skin condition. The skin images and their automated analyzer can be useful in dermatology for surgery planning and image-guided intervention, assessment of wound healing and skin grafts. The ultrasonic morphology analysis also has an excellent perspective for research and regular monitoring in the cosmetic industry.