title: Characterization of vascular structures and skin bruises using hyperspectral imaging, image analysis and diffusion theory.
abstract: Hyperspectral imaging, image analysis and diffusion theory were used to visualize skin vasculature and to monitor the development of fresh skin bruises. Bruises were inflicted in a porcine model, and the development of the hemorrhage was monitored using white light hyperspectral imaging (400-1000 nm). Hyperspectral images from human volunteers were also included in the study. Statistical image analysis was used to classify bruised regions and to visualize the skin vasculature. Biopsies were collected from the animals to reveal the true depth of the bruising. A three-layer diffusion model and an analytic hemoglobin transport model were used to model the reflectance spectra from the images. The results show that hyperspectral images contain depth information, and that the approximate depth and extent of bruises can be retrieved using a combination of statistical image analysis and diffusion theory. This technique also shows potential to visualize vascular structures in human skin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Electronics and Telecommunications, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway. Lise.Randeberg@iet.ntnu.no
authors.forename: Lise Lyngsnes
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Randeberg
authors.forename: Eivind La Puebla
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Larsen
authors.forename: Lars Othar
authors.initials: LO
authors.lastname: Svaasand
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003288:Contusions / Q000473:pathology*; D004058:Diffusion; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D055095:Optics and Photonics / Q000379:methods*; D012867:Skin / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology*; D013552:Swine; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins