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EXIST

  • Bruise Camera Exist
 

New innovative image sensor technology applications have the potential for improving processes in various sectors, such as industry, healthcare and agriculture, for example. Applications that come to mind include smart production process monitoring applications, the diagnosis of skin disorders or tracking down plant diseases. Applications of this nature and the required technology were key considerations in the development of EXIST (Extended Image Sensing Technologies). This Horizon 2020 project was headed up by the renowned Belgian research company Imec. Participants included companies and research institutions from Belgium, France, Greece and the Netherlands, including Demcon Focal.

Of particular interest are the hyperspectral image sensors manufactured with the aid of semi-conductor technology. Such sensors enable a camera to make a recording consisting of sub-recordings across a broad spectrum of many different wavelengths (colors). In principle, a hyperspectral recording provides more information than a color photo taken with an ‘ordinary’ camera. Demcon Focal researched the practical application of the advanced hyperspectral image sensor developed by Imec for diagnosing bruises.

The idea was to use the hyperspectral camera for making a distinction between an accident and child maltreatment as the cause of bruising. A bruise turns blue due to the hemoglobin in the bruise. Over a period of days, the hemoglobin gradually breaks down. This in turn produces a waste material, known as bilirubin, which causes the bruise to turn yellow. The proportion of the measured quantity of these two substances can tell us something about the age of a bruise. In case of an accident all bruises should be approximately the same age. In case of structural child maltreatment, the bruises could have been caused at different times.

Bruise images using the 3 first PCA axis for RGB coloration. The pictures shows the evolution over the days of a bruise on the knee. The PCA is done on day 4 when most of the components from the bruise are expected to be present.

The University of Amsterdam had previously conducted research in this area using a camera that took a series of pictures to produce a full image. Demcon Focal decided to further research this topic using Imec’s new snapshot sensor, which records the complete spectral information in one go. Of course this is much more convenient for clinical practice. Demcon Focal built a research setup with Imec’s hyperspectral sensor at its core. This sensor can record 25 colors in the visible light spectrum. The more colors measured, the more accurate the distinction that can be made between hemoglobin and bilirubin.

The Dutch EXIST partner, Adimec, supplied a camera. Demcon Focal equipped it with its own lens system and built a setup with the maximum possible uniform lighting. The setup was used to take pictures of volunteers with bruises. The biggest challenge subsequently was to classify the images, that is, determine the relative quantities of hemoglobin and bilirubin in the bruise. Not an easy task, because the image quality (signal-noise ratio) of the Imec sensor was not terrific and the conditions, such as lighting, were subject to significant variations. The conclusion was that it is as yet impossible to demonstrate the added value of the new sensor for diagnosing bruises.

Thanks to the EXIST research, Demcon Focal has developed extensive expertise in hyperspectral imaging. A special algorithm was developed for the classification of images. This algorithm can be used on computers and has also been programmed in firmware (FPGA) for ultra-fast image processing. Opportunities appear to lie primarily in the invisible infrared spectrum for which no ordinary cameras are available. Focal is all set to provide industrial hyperspectral imaging applications.

 

This project has received funding from the ECSEL Joint Undertaking (JU) under grant agreement No 662222. The JU receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Austria, United Kingdom, Israel, Switzerland.

ECSEL JU Disclaimer:
This communication reflects only the author’s view, ECSEL JU is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.

Albert Borreman
"Beyond the hyperspectral imaging hype"

Hyperspectral imaging has been a hype for some time, but we did not join in with this hype without a critical review. We soberly assessed the possibilities of this type of sensor. Thanks to the EXIST research, we understand where the boundary lies between facts and fiction. The sensor has its limitations. As a result, the images taken with visible light do not really yield much more information than an ordinary RGB camera, unless Imec manages to drastically improve image quality. But we do perceive opportunities in the infrared spectrum for chemical imaging with a hyperspectral sensor: making a distinction between different materials on the basis of chemical information extracted from the light/infrared light spectrum.

Imec is pinning its hopes on a sensor built into a smartphone. You could use such a smartphone camera, for example, to take a picture of an apple to check whether it has visible or invisible bruises. You could also use it to distinguish between beef and horse meat. For Imec the holy grail lies in these consumer applications.

Demcon Focal is primarily aiming at industrial applications and we aim to develop chemical imaging-based inspection systems. An example is the recycling of plastic for which you must be able to distinguish between different types of plastic. Another example is the horticulturalist who makes recordings of the crops in his greenhouse with his hyperspectral camera for the purpose of tracking down any plant diseases onsite. We perceive numerous hyperspectral imaging opportunities and have gone beyond the hype.

Albert Borreman
Managing Director Demcon Focal

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About Demcon

Demcon is a high-end technology supplier of products and systems. In a world in which technology increasingly plays a role in solving contemporary social issues, Demcon supports clients with a wide range of competencies. As a system supplier, Demcon can meet the entire needs of its clients, from initial idea and concept, to prototyping, industrialization and (series) production. In addition, Demcon develops its own products and, through an innovation program, investments are made in both start-ups and established companies. Demcon is certified for ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 13485:2016.

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