Portable high-frequency device for cosmetic and clinical fingernail assessment

Abstract

It is common knowledge in the medical field that fingernails may potentially be a useful biomarker in assessing certain disorders of the body by both their appearance and texture. With the use of a hand-held, portable ultrasonic device a user may have the ability to quantitatively assess the progression of fingernail properties on-the-spot and over the long term. This device would be applicable to both clinical and cosmetic applications alike. Its application in the medical field to chemotherapy patients in a pilot study is also introduced. No device is currently on the market to quantitatively investigate the properties of fingernails hence this would be the first of its kind. This paper outlines the hardware, software and applications of the ultrasonic probe prototype for use by certified professionals or by the general public.