Inspectis Expand Possibilities of Capillaroscopy Examination

Digital video technology has been harnessed to enable the expansion of the boundaries of professional capillaroscopy examinations beyond hospital clinics.

This sponsored article was written by Alistair Gooch, Inspectis AB, Marketing and Sales Manager

Since the invention of the magnifying glass and the microscope, people have used them to investigate all manner of fascinating items and by the 19th century that included blood capillaries. In 1911, Lombard observed the capillaries of the nail bed using a microscope with the refinement of immersion oil to see more clearly through the outer dermis. Since then the usefulness of capillaroscopy, the non-invasive technique based on direct, in vivo imaging of skin for analyzing microvascular abnormalities,  has grown steadily to examine patients with a wide range of rheumatic conditions such as Sjögren syndrome, dermatomyositis, systemic lupuserythematosus and has become especially recognized for the screening of  Raynaud phenomenon and systemic sclerosis.  The advantages of the technique for the study of the latter were reported in 1973 by Maricq and LeRoy with a series of morphological details that are currently known as the capillaroscopic patterns found in systemic sclerosis. The technique is now widely used around the world largely due to developments in computer and digital imaging technology since the late 20th century that allowed for the creation of video capillaroscopy.

To understand why, observe that the modern Digital Video Capillaroscope is a lightweight hand-held digital video microscope that is considerably easier to use for both patient and doctor compared with bulky bench-top microscopes, plus powerful computer software makes it easy to record hi-resolution images, process data and share results.

The state-of-the-art is best represented by the Digital Capillaroscopes developed by Inspectis, the leading global manufacturer of 4K digital inspection systems and video microscopes. The pinnacle of the Inspectis range is the Digital Capillaroscope that incorporates the latest in digital video cameras with proprietary designed lenses and lighting that combine unprecedented optimum resolution and accuracy with user friendliness. The Inspectis Capillaroscope is a fully tested and certified Class 1 Medical Device that is available combined with a range of dedicated INSPECTIS© capillaroscopy software that delivers powerful, portable systems for flexible and easy safe clinical use. 

Although the majority of capillaroscopy is still performed in hospitals or as part of university hospital research where Medical Device certification is demanded, the growing interest in using capillaroscopy in less demanding locations should be encouraged and the technique made more accessible with out sacrificing quality.  Inspectis recognized that it was uniquely placed to develop a range of more economic effective products incorporating key Inspectis technology and knowhow that integrate well with the premium products through their shared technical DNA.  Thus, a new generation of Inspectis Capillaroscopes were born.

The new DigiScope and CapiScope take capillaroscopy into mobile device environments via the new INSPECTIS© App but are equally at home with the Inspectis PC software. They are primarily focused on taking high-quality capillaroscopy to doctors working in primary and secondary care medical centers and private practice, enabling them to build their own capillaroscopy experience for the benefit of patients and often over-stretched medical services.  Although Inspectis is in no position to dictate medical care policy, it hopes that by making these products available it will help to encourage the building of greater collaboration between centers of excellence and outreach screening projects in primary and secondary care that involve patient groups. The new products are also highly suitable for training and academies as an entry point into the important skills in capillaroscopy.  

Inspectis is committed to the future and will be sure to adopt the latest hardware and software innovations as capillaroscopy matures to become a routine and widely used investigative procedure within all levels of healthcare and research.