X-Y scanning digital microscope for sweat volume quantification

Abstract

Quantification of sweat gland function is essential for the study of thermoregulation mechanisms, autonomic function, or skin pathologies. Traditional microscopic methods for sweat analysis have limitations such as narrow field of view, requirement of manual operation, and lack of consistency. To address these limitations, a motorized digital microscope with programmed motion control was developed for automated image acquisition and reconstruction of wide-area skin regions. Method: The developed system consists of a programmable X–Y motorized stage coupled with a digital microscope for image acquisition. The motion of the stage is precisely controlled through customized software to capture multiple microscopic images across defined spatial coordinates. The acquired images are then digitally stitched together to create a single composite image that shows the entire scanned region of the skin. Color space conversion and K-means clustering–based segmentation algorithms were employed to identify and quantify sweat droplets. It assists in estimating perspiration amount, droplet density, and perspiration patterns. Results: This system is able to record the sequential microscopic images of the skin surface and rebuild them into a seamless panoramic image. Quantitative analysis of the composite image enabled accurate measurement of sweat secretion volume and spatial distribution over time and area. The automated acquisition and reconstruction significantly improved measurement precision and repeatability compared to manual microscopic observation.