Nailfold

You can use the HVCS CapiScope either handheld in contact, or in a stand non-contact.

Using it handheld, hold the probe gently against a flat part of the skin and adjust the focus. Then add a drop or two of oil to the nailfold. Any clear oil will do such as parafin oil (baby oil), olive oil, massage oil. This will give good optical matching between the probe and the tissue reducing surface reflection allowing to see beneath the surface.

Hold the probe gently against the nailfold. At zero pressure when the probe tip moves off the tissue you will see the oil separate from the probe like a big bubble. You’ll only need just a bit more pressure than this to make contact.

You may need to increase brightness using the slider in the “video” control in the software. Once you’ve clicked on the slider you can use the up and down arrow keys for finer control.

You will need to adjust the focus slightly. One turn of the focus control = 1 mm so you shouldn’t need more than 1/2 turn.

Its easiest if you hold the device in the right hand with the focus ring between thumb and finger. Face towards the fingernail from the direction of the patient. In this way up, down etc corresponds with the image onscreen.