Noninvasive, High-Definition Optical Coherence Tomography Images Epidermal, Dermal Skin in Three Viewing Modes

New high-resolution technology provides three-dimensional (3D) imaging of the epidermal and dermal skin layers in three different viewing modes. The device is a very fast, comfortable solution for visualizing skin morphology and measuring dimensions in the skin layers.

Agfa HealthCare (Mortsel, Belgium) launched its SkinTell high-definition optical coherence tomography (HD-OCT) solution at the 21st Congress of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV), held in Prague (Czech Republic), September 27-30, 2012. This noninvasive imaging technology allows the examination of the epidermal morphology and superficial dermis, potentially avoiding a biopsy.


SkinTell HD-OCT noninvasively visualizes skin layers up to 1 mm in depth, with no discomfort for the patient. It offers three viewing modes: slice, 3D, and the unique en face, which provides a similar viewpoint to the skin, in real time. The 3 µm high-resolution solution, which can be modified to all skin types, provides views in all three dimensions of the epidermal layers and the dermal-epidermal junction down to the upper region of collagen tissue. A 3D-image takes one second.

“SkinTell is a truly new solution for dermatologists, dermatooncologists, plastic surgeons and the cosmetic industry, and it is backed by several Agfa HealthCare patents,” noted Dirk Debusscher, vice president, imaging at Agfa HealthCare. “It complements current dermatological examinations, combining the advantages of several types of exams, but with a speed and comfort that will be appreciated by doctor and patient alike. For example, it provides a subcutaneous view not possible with dermatoscopy, a deeper view than confocal microscopy, and 3D zoom for regions of interest.”

Dr. Marc Boone employs the HD-OCT at his dermatology practice near Brussels, Belgium. “My patients appreciate the speed and real-time analysis of the image. It creates confidence in the doctor,” he said. Dr. Boone uses other sophisticated imaging technologies, such as digital microscopy, high-frequency ultrasound and confocal scanning microscopy.

Dr. Tanja Maier uses the device at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universidad (Munich, Germany). She commented, “SkinTell offers the possibility of immediate imaging of epithelial skin cancer and has potential in the noninvasive monitoring of skin tumors under topical treatment. It facilitates and accelerates the process of evaluation in daily practice.”

Prof. Dr. Johannes Wohlrab performed a successful preclinical trial at the Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg (Halle, Germany). He stated, “We have validated the HD-OCT solution SkinTell in comparison with high frequency ultrasound [50 Mhz] and presented the potential of a noninvasive depiction of the epidermal structures in particular. In my opinion, the clinical use of SkinTell can enhance the noninvasive diagnostics of intra-epidermal processes considerably.”

SkinTell is European Community CE marked as a medical device and is intended to be used to create images of non-open wounded human skin and the corresponding close-to surface tissue. The device is not yet available in Canada or the United States.

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