Acquisition-time image quality control in digital dermatoscopy of skin lesions

SolarScan(TM) is a prototype real time diagnostic instrument, which uses image analysis to detect malignancy of melanocytic skin lesions. It employs dermatoscopy as an imaging technique and is built around a 3-CCD analogue video camera. In order to obtain the image of maximum quality for the analysis the operator should be notified about the problems with the image captured. This allows the operator to rectify the problem and re-capture the image. Detectors for 2 type of the acquisition-time problems are described: the interlaced video camera field misalignment artefact and excessive specular reflection artefact caused by insufficient amount of oil used for dermatoscopic immersion of the lesion imaged. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.