Developed new handheld device for diagnosing skin cancer

Stevens Institute of Technology researchers have developed a handheld device that can achieve near lab-level accuracies in diagnosing skin cancer. Preliminary tests showed that the low-cost device was 97% effective in detecting cancerous tissue.

Low-cost cancer detection device

Utilizing a technology called high-resolution millimeter-wave imaging, the new technology uses the differential reflection of millimeter-wave rays between healthy tissue and cancerous tissue.

In the tests that the researchers performed on 71 patients with 136 suspicious skin lesions, they first evaluated the new high-resolution millimeter wave imaging device and then biopsied the lesions.

In the results obtained, it was seen that the new device had high accuracy rates. As part of preliminary testing, the system was found to have 98% specificity (two percent of its results are false positive) and 97% sensitivity (correctly detecting all but three percent of malignant cancers).

Research team member Negar Tavassolian says that although their new system is not the first to use advanced imaging technology to automatically flag dangerous skin cancers, its devices offer significant advantages as they are much less costly, easier to use and smaller in size.

Ekip thinks that it may be important in the quick and easy diagnosis of skin cancer in the future, and therefore it is preparing to launch its handheld skin cancer detection device in a few years. Tavassolian states that it may be possible to manufacture the device for less than $100.