Our newes paper is published in the journal npj Imaging, titled “Enhanced maximum intensity projection (eMIP) for improving the fidelity of optoacoustic images.” In it, we introduce enhanced maximum intensity projection (eMIP), a novel visualization method for improving the fidelity of 2D images derived from 3D optoacoustic scans. eMIP corrects for misalignments in skin surface geometry and applies dynamic contrast adjustments to better represent anatomical features, particularly the dermal microvasculature. Validated on 1,725 raster-scan optoacoustic mesoscopy (RSOM) scans, eMIP consistently outperformed conventional MIP in perceived image quality, as rated by eight experts. The method is computationally efficient and designed for automated, large-scale clinical use.

In the context of OPTOMICS and type-2 diabetes, eMIP plays a critical role in standardizing image quality for downstream data-driven analysis. RSOM is increasingly used to phenotype skin microvascular changes associated with metabolic diseases like diabetes. By improving the clarity and consistency of RSOM images, eMIP enhances the detectability of vascular biomarkers and supports robust feature extraction—key steps in building predictive models and advancing precision diagnostics in diabetes research.

You can read the full article here: https://doi.org/10.1038/s44303-025-00112-z