Skin examination device
A device for examination of a skin site is disclosed comprising a housing, an illumination module arranged within the housing, and operable for emitting and dispersing light. The device further comprises an imaging module arranged within the housing, a lens of the liquid lens type arranged in operable association with the imaging module, and a distortion correction lens. The device is configured operable so that in use (i) light is radiated from the illumination module for projection on to the skin site in a radiated light path; and (ii) light is reflected from the skin site to the imaging module in a reflected light path. The distortion correction lens is arranged in the reflected light path between the skin site and the liquid lens.
1 . An optical arrangement for use with a device operable for use in examination of a skin site, the device having or arranged operable with an illumination arrangement configured operable for illuminating the skin site and an imaging module, the optical arrangement comprising:
a lens of a liquid lens type arranged in operable association with the imaging module, and
a distortion correction lens,
the lens and the distortion correction lens being arranged so as to share an axis of the optical arrangement which aligns generally normal with the skin site when the optical arrangement is provided in an in-use orientation,
the illumination arrangement with which the optical arrangement is operable comprises a plurality of light emitting elements at or near a perimeter of the illumination arrangement, the illumination arrangement further comprising a reflective surface portion configured to be oriented so as to face the skin site so as to be in substantial parallel relation therewith during use of the optical arrangement or the device, whereby the light emitting elements are oriented relative to the reflective surface portion so that each provide a scope of emitted light that disperses about a respective axis, the respective axis is generally parallel with the reflective surface portion, on to a plane that intersects with or passes through the axis of the optical arrangement and which plane is aligned generally perpendicular with the reflective surface portion so as to enable emission of a portion of the scope of emitted light on to the reflective surface portion, and wherein the reflective surface portion is configured operable so as to promote scattering or diffusion of light received from the light emitting elements for reflection from the reflective surface portion for projection on to the skin site for increasing variability of incidence of the reflected scattered or diffused light received across the skin site, and
wherein the optical arrangement is configured operable so that, in use, on illumination by way of the illumination arrangement light is reflected from the skin site toward the imaging module in a reflected light path, and
wherein the distortion correction lens is configured to be arranged in the reflected light path between the skin site and the liquid lens.
2 . An optical arrangement according to claim 1 , further comprising a first polariser configured to be arranged in a radiated light path between the illumination arrangement and the skin site.
3 . An optical arrangement according to claim 1 , further comprising a second polariser configured to be arranged in the reflected light path between the skin site and the imaging module.
4 . An optical arrangement according to claim 3 , wherein the second polariser is arranged in the reflected light path between the distortion correction lens and the imaging module.
5 . An optical arrangement according to claim 3 , wherein the second polariser polarises light in an orientation substantially perpendicular to an orientation that a first polariser polarises light.
6 . A device for examination of a skin site comprising the optical arrangement according to claim 1 .
7 . A device for examination of a skin site comprising:
a housing,
an illumination arrangement arranged within the housing, the illumination arrangement comprises a plurality of light emitting elements at or near a perimeter of the illumination arrangement, the illumination arrangement further comprising a reflective surface portion configured to be oriented so as to face the skin site so as to be in substantial parallel relation therewith during use of the device, whereby the light emitting elements are oriented relative to the reflective surface portion so that each provide a scope of emitted light that disperses about a respective axis, the respective axis is generally parallel with the reflective surface portion, on to a plane that intersects with or passes through an axis of the device and which plane is aligned generally perpendicular with the reflective surface portion so as to enable emission of a portion of the scope of emitted light on to the reflective surface portion, and wherein the reflective surface portion is configured operable so as to promote scattering or diffusion of light received from the light emitting elements for reflection from the relative surface portion for projection on to the skin site for increasing variability of incidence of the reflected scattered or diffused light received across the skin site,
an imaging module arranged within the housing,
a lens of a liquid lens type arranged in operable association with the imaging module, and
a distortion correction lens,
the lens and the distortion correction lens being arranged so as to share the axis of the device, the axis of the device aligns generally normal with the skin site when the device is provided in an in-use orientation,
wherein, in use, the device is configured operable so that:
(i) light is radiated by way of the illumination arrangement for projection on to the skin site in a radiated light path; and
(ii) light is reflected from the skin site toward the imaging module in a reflected light path;
wherein the distortion correction lens is configured to be arranged in the reflected light path between the skin site and the liquid lens.
8 . A device according claim 7 , wherein the device further comprises a first polariser configured to be arranged in the radiated light path between the illumination arrangement and the skin site.
9 . A device according to claim 8 , wherein the first polariser is configured with one or more apertures for enabling a portion of light of the radiated light path to pass therethrough.
10 . A device according to claim 7 , wherein the device further comprises a second polariser configured to be arranged in the reflected light path between the skin site and the imaging arrangement.
11 . A device according to claim 10 , wherein the second polariser is arranged in the reflected light path between the distortion correction lens and the imaging module.
12 . A device according to claim 10 , wherein the second polariser polarises light in an orientation substantially perpendicular to an orientation that a first polariser polarises light.
13 . A device according to claim 7 , wherein a portion of the housing has an optical axis, and wherein the radiated and the reflected light paths are configured so as to operate generally about the optical axis.
14 . A device according to claim 13 , wherein:
(i) the illumination arrangement, and/or
(ii) the imaging module, and/or
(iii) first and/or second polariser, are arranged so as to be substantially concentric with the optical axis.
15 . A device according to claim 13 , wherein the illumination arrangement comprises a body having a profile reminiscent substantially in the form of a flat or planar annular disk oriented substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the device.
16 . A device according to claim 13 , wherein the reflected light path traverses the optical axis and passes through a centre of the illumination arrangement.
17 . A device according to claim 7 , wherein the plurality of light emitting elements are arranged on at or near a perimeter of a body of the illumination arrangement.
18 . A device according to claim 7 , wherein the light emitting elements are arranged equidistant to each other.
19 . A device according to claim 7 , wherein any of the light emitting elements are configured having about a 120° dispersion angle on to the plane aligned substantially perpendicular to or with the reflective surface portion of the illumination arrangement.
20 . A device according to claim 7 , wherein the reflective surface portion of the illumination arrangement is configured so as to be substantially uneven or of a non-uniform nature so as to diffuse or scatter light received from the light emitting elements of the illumination arrangement away from the reflective surface portion.
21 . A device according to claim 7 , wherein the reflective surface portion of the illumination arrangement is configured having a generally regular pattern of embossments, protuberances or raised portions which renders the general form of the reflective surface portion in a substantially uneven or non-uniform manner.
22 . A device according to claim 7 , wherein an inner surface of the housing is configured so as to reflect light incident thereon.