A novel instrument aimed at measuring hypertrophic scar formation

Hypertrophic scaring is a condition that can occur after thermal trauma and can lead to loss of function and psyco-social complications. Assessment of the development of a hypertrophic scar currently relies on visual inspection and grading. In this paper we propose a system based on polarized illumination and collection capable of capturing images of scars and quantify their roughness. Models of rough surface roughness are ultimately used to quantify the level of roughness of scarred skin compared to normal skin.