Abstract
Purpose: :
To create a database of iris images from 6 newborn and 100 adults iris images to determine if newborn irides can be recognized with a Securimetric Pier 2.3 camera under standard delivery room conditions.
Methods: :
Using a Securimetric Pier 2.3 camera, 100 adult iris images were collected by instructing subjects to look forward with eyes open toward the handheld device. The images of these adult eyes were to be used as comparators with 6 infant iris images, also collected using the Securimetric Pier 2.3 camera. The infants' irides were imaged at birth and at 50 minutes post-partum, prior to application of ophthalmic erythromycin ointment. The infant's eyes were held open with gentle manual pressure, rather than a speculum, while the image was taken. No personal health information of the adults or the infants was collected; only an alphanumeric number was used to identify the subjects. The imaging device, termed a "Personal Iris Imager" or PIA, contains a miniature video camera that uses CCD (charge-coupled device) technology and a low-level infrared illuminator. The illumination is centered at 750 nm, which is just outside the visible spectrum. It has a numeric keypad for operator control and a small LCD (liquid crystal display) screen that allows the operator to view the live video image to facilitate focus and alignment of the iris image. A small PC-type processor and hard drive inside the device are used to process and store the iris images. Images are later downloaded to a desktop PC for analysis and archival storage.
Results: :
100% of adult irides were successfully imaged and later recognized with the Pier 2.3 camera. 0% of the infant irides were successfully imaged.
Conclusions: :
Although adult irides were easily imaged and recognized, infant irides were not successfully captured using the Securimetric Pier 2.3 camera. Further study using stillborn infant eyes might elucidate whether this failure of image capture is due to the primitive structure of infant irides or the rapid eye movement and small palpebral aperture of newborn infants. With this information, the technology can be improved to easily image infant irides and use them as a unique identifier when newborns are discharged from the hospital.
Keywords: iris • imaging/image analysis: non-clinical