Motion-corrected optoacoustic mesoscopy provides a clearer view of skin structures.

Skin Deep: How Motion Correction is Revolutionizing Skin Imaging

Nico Varela in Health & Wellness June 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover the groundbreaking algorithm that's eliminating motion blur in optoacoustic mesoscopy, bringing clarity to clinical dermatology and beyond."

Imagine peering beneath the surface of the skin with unprecedented clarity, revealing intricate details of blood vessels, inflammation, and even the distribution of melanin. Raster-scan optoacoustic mesoscopy (RSOM), a cutting-edge imaging technique, makes this possible. By combining light and sound, RSOM offers a non-invasive window into the skin, reaching depths unattainable by other optical methods.

However, like any advanced technology, RSOM faces its own set of challenges. One of the most significant is motion. Even slight movements, such as breathing or subtle shifts in position, can blur the images, reducing their effective resolution and hindering accurate diagnosis. This is where a revolutionary new motion correction algorithm comes into play.

Developed by researchers at the Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Zentrum München, this algorithm tackles the problem of motion-induced artifacts head-on. By tracking disruptions in the ultrasound wave front generated by the melanin layer at the skin surface, the algorithm creates a synthetic surface that serves as a reference point for correcting motion. The result? Sharper, clearer images that unlock the full potential of RSOM.

The Science Behind Sharper Skin Images: Understanding the Algorithm

Motion-corrected optoacoustic mesoscopy provides a clearer view of skin structures.

At the heart of this innovation lies a clever approach to identifying and compensating for motion. The algorithm operates on the principle that the skin surface, particularly the melanin-containing layers, generates a continuous ultrasound wave front when imaged with RSOM. Movements disrupt this wave front, creating discontinuities in the resulting data.

The algorithm works in two key steps:

Detecting the Disrupted Surface: The algorithm first identifies the discontinuities in the ultrasound wave front, pinpointing areas where motion has distorted the image.
Creating a Synthetic Surface: Once the disrupted surface is detected, the algorithm generates a smooth, artificial surface that represents the ideal, motion-free skin. The difference between the actual, disrupted surface and the synthetic surface is then used to correct for motion during image reconstruction.

This ingenious approach effectively eliminates motion blur, resulting in images with significantly improved resolution. The researchers tested their algorithm on both healthy and psoriatic human skin, achieving resolution improvements of up to 5-fold compared to uncorrected images.

The Future of Skin Imaging is Clear

This motion correction algorithm represents a significant step forward in the field of optoacoustic mesoscopy. By eliminating motion artifacts, it paves the way for more accurate diagnoses, improved monitoring of treatment effectiveness, and a deeper understanding of skin physiology. As RSOM technology continues to evolve, this algorithm will undoubtedly play a crucial role in unlocking its full potential, benefiting both clinicians and patients alike.

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Everything You Need To Know

What is optoacoustic mesoscopy and how does it work for skin imaging?

Optoacoustic mesoscopy, specifically Raster-scan optoacoustic mesoscopy (RSOM), is a cutting-edge imaging technique that combines light and sound to visualize the skin's subsurface. It works by sending light pulses into the skin, which are absorbed by tissues and converted into sound waves. These sound waves are then detected and used to create detailed images of structures like blood vessels, inflammation, and melanin distribution within the skin, reaching depths that other optical methods cannot achieve. This non-invasive approach offers a unique window into the skin's intricate details.

What are the primary challenges that hinder the effectiveness of RSOM, and how does the new motion correction algorithm address them?

One of the major challenges affecting the resolution of Raster-scan optoacoustic mesoscopy (RSOM) is motion artifacts. Slight movements, such as breathing or minor shifts in position, can cause blurring in the images, reducing the diagnostic accuracy. The new motion correction algorithm tackles this problem by tracking disruptions in the ultrasound wave front, particularly those generated by the melanin layer at the skin surface. By detecting these disruptions, the algorithm creates a synthetic surface that serves as a reference point. The algorithm then uses this reference to correct for motion during image reconstruction, resulting in clearer and sharper images.

Describe the key steps involved in the motion correction algorithm used in RSOM.

The motion correction algorithm employs a two-step process. Firstly, it detects the disrupted surface by identifying discontinuities in the ultrasound wave front, pinpointing areas distorted by motion. Secondly, the algorithm generates a synthetic surface, a smooth artificial representation of the motion-free skin, using the information of the disrupted surface. The difference between the actual, disrupted surface, and the synthetic surface is used to correct the motion during image reconstruction. This method effectively eliminates motion blur, providing significantly improved image resolution.

How does the motion correction algorithm improve the resolution of RSOM images, and what are the clinical implications of these improvements?

The motion correction algorithm enhances the resolution of Raster-scan optoacoustic mesoscopy (RSOM) images by removing motion artifacts. Testing showed up to a 5-fold resolution improvement compared to uncorrected images. This improvement has significant clinical implications, leading to more accurate diagnoses, which helps clinicians to better identify skin conditions like psoriasis. Moreover, the enhanced image quality allows for more precise monitoring of treatment effectiveness and a deeper understanding of skin physiology, ultimately benefiting both clinicians and patients.

Beyond dermatology, what are the potential future applications of RSOM with motion correction?

While the article focuses on dermatology, the motion correction algorithm's advancements in Raster-scan optoacoustic mesoscopy (RSOM) suggest wider applications. As the technology evolves, the improved image quality and diagnostic capabilities could be extended to other medical fields. This could include imaging other tissues and organs where high-resolution, non-invasive imaging is crucial. The ability to visualize internal structures with greater clarity holds the promise of revolutionizing diagnostics, treatment monitoring, and research across multiple medical disciplines, beyond just skin imaging.