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Standards Sought for Hyperspectral Imaging

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A team from the National Institute of Standards and Technology has begun gathering data they expect will lead to universal calibration standards for hyperspectral imaging, saying the lack of such standards has impeded this noninvasive imaging technique.

“The potential of the technology has been proven, but the problem is that researchers are simply lacking a way to assure consistent results between labs,” said NIST researcher David Allen. “Standards development has itself been hindered by a lack of human skin reflectance data, especially in the ultraviolet and short-wave infrared.”


The top image shows skin as normally viewed. At bottom are samples of the same images with enhanced contrast in false color via hyperspectral imaging to show the variability between subjects. Courtesy of NIST.


The researchers have begun investigating how human skin looks under various wavelengths of light. Hyperspectral imagers are extremely sensitive to many wavelengths, from UV to IR. This is unlike conventional imagers, which can see only a narrow portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.

 The researchers have also been working to quantify the spectral variability within an individual, as well as between individuals, that exist due to inherent biological differences.

As part of the study, the researchers have been collecting data from 28 subjects. Images of normal tissue on a test area on each subject’s forearm have been taken, in addition to three reflectance measurements of that test area.

Healthy tissue must first be imaged and analyzed before the researchers can “delve into what diseased tissue looks like hyperspectrally,” said Dr. Catherine Cooksey, a researcher in NIST’s Sensor Science Division.

“Skin reflectance varies due to skin pigmentation, tissue density, lipid content and blood volume changes,” she said. “We need good data from a wide variety of sources.”

For more information, visit www.nist.gov.
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Published: July 2014
Glossary
hyperspectral imaging
Hyperspectral imaging is an advanced imaging technique that captures and processes information from across the electromagnetic spectrum. Unlike traditional imaging systems that record only a few spectral bands (such as red, green, and blue in visible light), hyperspectral imaging collects data in numerous contiguous bands, covering a wide range of wavelengths. This extended spectral coverage enables detailed analysis and characterization of materials based on their spectral signatures. Key...
infrared
Infrared (IR) refers to the region of the electromagnetic spectrum with wavelengths longer than those of visible light, but shorter than those of microwaves. The infrared spectrum spans wavelengths roughly between 700 nanometers (nm) and 1 millimeter (mm). It is divided into three main subcategories: Near-infrared (NIR): Wavelengths from approximately 700 nm to 1.4 micrometers (µm). Near-infrared light is often used in telecommunications, as well as in various imaging and sensing...
ultraviolet
That invisible region of the spectrum just beyond the violet end of the visible region. Wavelengths range from 1 to 400 nm.
AmericasBiophotonicscalibration standardsDavid Allenhyperspectral imagingImaginginfraredIRLight SourcesMarylandNational Institute of Standards and TechnologyNISTOpticsResearch & TechnologyultravioletUVCatherine CookseySensor Science DivisionBioScan

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