Detecting potential skin cancer cells is an inexact process that depends on a doctor identifying a suspicious mole before waiting a few weeks for the biopsy results to come back from a lab. But according to Technology Review, scientists at the British Columbia Cancer Agency (BBCA) have
developed a handheld wand that could help doctors instantly identify melanoma by scanning the molecular makeup of a mole. Dubbed the Verisante Aura, the device uses
Raman spectroscopy to scan for molecules that are characteristic of melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer. The doctor holds the wand over the suspicious mole, and the Aura blasts laser light onto the molecules, thus changing their vibrational state. The light is then reflected back at different angles and magnitudes depending on the molecules. Within seconds, the device compares the scan to a database of skin cancer molecules. The results help doctors more accurately determine whether or not a biopsy is necessary.
Tags: biotech, health, LaserWand, medical, medicine, melanoma, research, science, skin, SkinCancer, top, VerisanteAura
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Comments
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Subscribe to commentsfallingFeb 2nd 2011 9:58AM
This is wonderful news! My sister is a melanoma survivor and has to get a skin check every year...this will help both her and her doctor diagnos any future problems much more quickly and inexpensively...and she won't put off her appointments because she hates getting those mole biopsies!