Biomedicine: A Quicker Way to Identify Skin Cancer

The device, called the Verisante Aura, is held above a mole, and uses Raman spectroscopy, a technique that distinguishes molecules using their vibrational states, to scan for those whose relative concentrations are characteristic of melanoma. The device returns a verdict within seconds. Following a successful small clinical trial, Verisante is now analyzing the results of another trial with 1,000 moles. The company plans to seek approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration later this year.

Researchers at the British Columbia Cancer Agency have developed a device using Raman spectroscopy to detect melanoma within seconds by looking at the molecular profile of moles . Verisante Technology, which has licensing rights to the technology, plans to submit regulatory approval applications in the U.S. and Canada for the hand-held device later this year. It is expected to be used in Canada and Europe within a year and to be approved by the FDA in 2013. The estimated cost of the device is of $30,000.

Via Biomedicine: A Quicker Way to Identify Skin Cancer