Confocal microscopy has become an important diagnostic tool in examining scattering tissues. The high resolution of confocal microscopy and its optical sectioning capabilities lend itself as a desirable modality in examining structures on the micrometer scale. The presented work offers a prototype device based on the principle of confocal microscopy that is versatile enough to be used not only as a small scale scanner, but adaptable for a wide range of situations. The automated capabilities of the scanner were tested to be used as a method of quality control for tissue-engineered cell sheets, identifying thickness and determining homogeneity. The device was also evaluated as a method of examining scattering in common phantoms of Intralipid and collagen gels, and applied in vivo to determine optical effects in intrinsically aged skin. The abilities and shortcomings of the scanner are investigated, and future adaptations of the device are proposed.