SkinScope: Skin Images Over Time

The story

Changes in a mole or skin spot can be difficult to describe from memory. Photos taken casually at different angles, distances, and lighting conditions are often hard to compare. For adults managing their own skin records and families documenting spots for a later appointment, the practical need is a clearer visual timeline that a qualified dermatologist can review. SkinScope is a handheld imaging scanner concept designed for that documentation task. The user places the device over a skin area and follows guided positioning to capture a standardized image. On a later date, SkinScope aligns the new capture with the earlier record and flags visually meaningful differences for the user to review. The record is intended to support a more organized conversation with a qualified dermatologist, including selected images and capture dates. It does not diagnose cancer, classify lesions, assess urgency, or replace a clinical examination. The proposed device uses a flat imaging face, a centered capture window, and an alignment reference around the capture area. The companion software is planned to organize image sets by body location and date, compare successive captures, and allow the user to choose what to export or share. The intended users are health-conscious adults, caregivers, and families who want longitudinal image records for professional review. Development will focus first on repeatable capture workflows, image alignment, lighting calibration, local record controls, and a clear handoff format for dermatology appointments. Campaign funds are planned for industrial design refinement, prototype builds, software development, usability studies, security and privacy design, validation planning, and regulatory assessment. Funding will also support testing across diverse skin…