Dermatology

Until recently dermatologists have not had the great benefit that X-rays and ultrasound have given their colleagues in other branches of medicine, and which are now regarded as essential tools for their work.  There is much that can happen within and just under the skin though that is not visible to the naked eye.  Without a reliable imaging technique dermatologists are left at a great disadvantage or have to resort to physical biopsies.

Dermal Ultrasound

Most ultrasound scanners are designed for deep penetration into the body but are unable to image the dermis and epidermis in any useful fashion for dermatological applications.  Episcan on the other hand is specifically designed to handle the higher sound frequencies that are necessary to achieve this.

Episcan was originally designed to detect pressure sores before they become apparent to the naked eye.  For details please visit the Pressure Ulcers page, which includes images of chronic wound healing.

The 18MHz centre frequency probe used for pressure ulcer detection and management provides clear images of changes beneath the surface of the skin as ulcers develop or as wounds heal and it reveals difficult objects (see right) such as glass splinters or adhesions, for which X-ray is not very effective. 

Both linear and area measurements can be displayed and saved with the image and digital photographs may be attached if desired.

Features such as hair follicles (top), nail beds (right) and the effect of sun damage on the skin (left) show up in great detail. 

Note the increased thickness of the dermas in the sun-exposed image compared with the sun-protected area. Also the reduced intensity of reflections from the upper, papillary, region of the dermis in the sun exposed area, indicating a weaker collagen structure.

Episcan can be used to image scar tissue, including keloid scars (left) and cellulite (right).
 
It is currently being used to evaluate the impact of various skin rejuvenating laser treatments, where changes in the structure of the skin can often be seen by ultrasound prior to visual changes. 

As dermal fillers and other anti-ageing treatments are gaining in popularity, Episcan can provide a useful check on their application an effectiveness.  In particular dermal fillers do not always end up where they are intended and Episcan can confirm that they have been injected into the correct plane of the dermis.

For further information on the use of Episcan dermal ultrasound scanner in cosmetic research, including measurement of the effect and duration of moisturisers pleas visit the Cosmetic Research page