Reconstruction of hyperspectral cutaneous data from an artificial neural network-based multispectral imaging system.

The development of an integrated MultiSpectral Imaging (MSI) system yielding hyperspectral cubes by means of artificial neural networks is described. The MSI system is based on a CCD camera, a rotating wheel bearing a set of seven interference filters, a light source and a computer. The resulting device has been elaborated for in vivo imaging of skin lesions. It provides multispectral images and is coupled with a software reconstructing hyperspectral cubes from multispectral images. Reconstruction is performed by a neural network-based algorithm using heteroassociative memories. The resulting hyperspectral cube provides skin optical reflectance spectral data combined with bidimensional spatial information. This combined information will hopefully improve diagnosis and follow-up in a range of skin disorders from skin cancer to inflammatory diseases.