Exploratory Development of a New Subdermal Biometric Using High Resolution Ultrasonic Imaging

As the technical director for Niagara Technology Laboratories, Dr. Schneider's 5 years research experience in the development of new biometrics using ultrasound, combined with Dr. Glenn's 40 years of expertise in imaging systems and Mr. Moore's 25 years National Bureau of Standards biometric research knowledge, provides the basis for the proposed innovative concept which utilizes high frequency ultrasound to obtain a subdermal image of the finger in an attempt to develop an entirely new biometric with extremely high accuracy rates. The objective of Phase I will be to develop a preliminary subdermal ultrasound scanner and capture several images for evaluation. A few of the features and corresponding benefits of using ultrasound to perform subdermal imaging are summarized below. FEATURE BENEFITS High frequency ultrasound Able to penetrate beyond the surface of the body providing subdermal images Sigal easily processed with readily available (low cost) IC's Range gating Able to image past the surface at selected depths making it superior to other subdermal approaches Uses the tip of the finger Lends itself to a very small, low cost device Images subdermal artifacts Not subject to the everyday erosion of features as in the case of the finger- print Highly resistant to forgery due to the inability to identify and reproduce the structures