Cameras & Lenses for Medical Imaging and Diagnostics
Max Reijngoudt
Machine vision is not only useful in industrial applications, but it can also contribute to medical imaging and diagnostics. Whether it is assisting in early disease detection through imaging analysis, guiding surgeons with real-time visual feedback, or enabling more accurate diagnostics in radiology and pathology, machine vision enhances both precision and efficiency in healthcare. Its ability to process complex visual data quickly can support medical professionals in making faster, more reliable decisions, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
To achieve this, our customer’s device needs to integrate a line scan camera combined with a microscopic lens enabling the capture of detailed, high-resolution images of skin tissue at a cellular level.
Table of contents
LC-OCT in Medical Imaging
Line-field Confocal Optical Coherence Tomography (LC-OCT) isa technology that allows dermatologists to inspect the patient’s skin in order to detect cancers without the need of biopsy. It is done through a device that combines optical coherence tomography with confocal microscopy, producing high-resolution, cross-sectional images of the skin in real time. This non-invasive approach enables physicians to visualize cellular structures beneath the surface, assess suspicious lesions more accurately, and reduce unnecessary biopsies.
Choosing the Right Industrial Camera for Medical Imaging
The first part was determining which camera was the best fit for our customers. Our customers asked about line scan cameras. The requirements included a high acquisition framerate and good resolution, with a USB3 interface to handle real-time monitoring bandwidth. In addition, they emphasized the importance of reliability and ease of integration into their existing system. After carefully reviewing their requirements, we recommended the VALINE-2K1-M42-180U3M model, which answered all their criteria, due to its 2048 pixels line and its framerate of 180 FPS.
This combination ensured that they could capture fine skin details with exceptional clarity while maintaining the speed required for medical applications. The customer was convinced not only by the strong technical specifications of the camera, but also by its competitive price, compact form factor, and long-term availability, which together made it an ideal choice for their device development.
Optical Lens Selection for Medical Imaging
For their LC-OCT device, our customer uses a microscope lens to achieve the magnification and optical precision required for imaging skin at a cellular level. The choice of lens was critical, as it needed not only high resolution but also excellent light transmission and minimal distortion, ensuring that the images generated by the line scan camera could be interpreted with clinical confidence. For this, we recommend VA-LCM-MS-50X-WD10-110-NI, which offers a magnification of x50. This lens offered the best balance between magnification, clarity, and integration feasibility, allowing the system to capture fine structural details of skin tissue while remaining practical for routine medical use. The 50x microscope lens features a compact C-mount design with a short 10mm working distance, enabling it to capture high-resolution images with exceptional detail. This careful selection process ensured that the imaging quality of the LC-OCT device met the high standards required for dermatological diagnostics.
Software Compatibility for Medical Imaging Cameras
To operate the camera, the customer needed to ensure compatibility with their own software environment. All our industrial cameras are compliant with the GenIcam standard, which guarantees a common interface for configuration and image acquisition. This makes it possible to integrate them effortlessly with a wide range of machine vision software commonly used in medical imaging and research. In addition, we provide a dedicated Software Development Kit that offers developers full access to camera controls, advanced image processing features, and real-time data streaming capabilities. By combining GenICam compatibility with our SDK, the customer was able to quickly adapt the camera to their LC-OCT workflow, minimizing development time while maintaining flexibility for future software updates or system expansions. This ensured not only smooth integration but also long-term reliability and scalability of their device.
Medical Imaging Applications
Industrial cameras can also be used in other medical imaging applications, such as ophthalmology, endoscopy, digital pathology, and surgical navigation. Their ability to deliver high-resolution images at fast frame rates makes them particularly valuable for capturing subtle details in dynamic environments, whether it is monitoring blood flow in retinal scans, guiding minimally invasive procedures, or digitizing tissue samples for AI-driven analysis. Beyond diagnostics, machine vision supports treatment planning, patient monitoring, and even robotic-assisted surgery, where precise visual feedback is essential. Surgeons can for example use our 2.5GigE 8MP UV camera “MER3-810-36G3M-P-UV” to detect nerves under the skin during an operation. As medical technology continues to evolve, the versatility as well as the reliability of these cameras open new opportunities for innovation across multiple healthcare domains.
Support for Medical Imaging Devices
Would you like support from one of our machine vision experts to develop your own medical imaging solution, whether for LC-OCT, dermatology, or another healthcare application? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us using the form below!
