Features from the product page:

A single use device, packaged as a disposable dressing, it is simple to set up with the patient

Wearable low powered light source technology allows greater freedom of movement during treatment

Low light intensity - which has the potential to reduce pain

A high uniformity of light, wavelength matched to the PDT cream and treatment protocol

Convenient for patient, medical professional and healthcare provider

Here's a BBC report about the device:

Press release: Ambicare Health demonstrates it’s [sic] revolutionary device to key European practitioners in Monaco...

Product page: Ambulight PDT ...

From a Hopkins press release:

Because cancer cells divide more rapidly than normal cells, they typically generate more metabolic activity and release more energy as heat. To detect this, Herman [Cila Herman, professor of mechanical engineering] uses a highly sensitive infrared camera on loan from the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. Normally, the temperature difference between cancerous and healthy skins cells is extremely small, so Herman and Pirtini devised a way to make the difference stand out. First, they cool a patient’s skin with a harmless one-minute burst of compressed air. When the cooling is halted, they immediately record infrared images of the target skin area for two to three minutes. Cancer cells typically reheat more quickly than the surrounding healthy tissue, and this difference can be captured by the infrared camera and viewed through sophisticated image processing.

The current pilot study is designed to determine how well the technology can detect melanoma. To test it, dermatologist-identified lesions undergo thermal scanning with the new system, and then a biopsy is performed to determine whether melanoma is actually present.

“Obviously, there is a lot of work to do,” Herman said. “We need to fine-tune the instrument—the scanning system and the software—and develop diagnostic criteria for cancerous lesions. When the research and refinement are done, we hope to be able to show that our system can find melanoma at an early stage before it spreads and becomes dangerous to the patient.”

Alani [Rhoda Alani, adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center and professor and chair of Dermatology at Boston University School of Medicine], the skin cancer expert, is also cautiously optimistic. “We, at this point, are not able to say that this instrument is able to replace the clinical judgment of a dermatologist, but we envision that this will be useful as a tool in helping to diagnose early-stage melanoma,” Alani said. “We’re very encouraged about the promise of this technology for improving our ability to prevent people from actually dying of melanoma.”

The researchers envision a hand-held scanning system that dermatologists could use to evaluate suspicious moles. The technology also might be incorporated into a full-body-scanning system for patients with a large number of pigmented lesions, they said.

Press release: Scanning for Skin Cancer: Infrared System Looks for Deadly Melanoma ...

From a Michelson press release:

VivoSight is a Multi-Beam Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) system indicated for use in the two-dimensional, cross-sectional, real-time imaging of external tissues of the human body.

VivoSight is the first Fourier-Domain OCT scanner to receive FDA 510(k) clearance, outside of the field of ophthalmology. The patented ‘Multi-Beam OCT’ technology provides sub-surface images of tissue at far higher resolution than is possible with existing technologies such as ultrasound, CT or MRI, in 2D and 3D and in real time, using an easy-to-use lightweight hand-held probe.

From the VivoSight brochure:

The VivoSight scanner uses Multi-Beam Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), a revolutionary laser-based imaging modality that provides images of surface tissue at extraordinarily high resolution – better than 7.5 μm lateral and 10 μm vertical resolution – far higher than is possible with other modalities, revealing previously hidden details of tissue microstructure.

VivoSight with ‘topical’ hand-held probe is designed to enable capture of images of surface tissue microstructure to a depth of up to 2 mm. The probe is positioned over the tissue and can capture either 2D or 3D images of a 5 mm square region. Tissue microstructure features such as epidermis, dermis and sub-layers can be imaged, as can subsurface blood vessels.

Light, ergonomically designed, wipe-clean probe, with adjustable ‘stand-off’ to enable the user to maintain a correct focus distance. The probe utilizes the Michelson Diagnostics’ patented Multi-Beam OCT optics for high resolution images, a visible red spot to aim the scan, and an X-Y (3D) scanning capability.

Press release: VivoSight OCT scanner Receives FDA 510(k) Clearance...

Product page: VivoSight OCT Scanner...

Flashback: Multi-Beam OTC Probe From Michelson Announced

The Smartscope is a cordless, hand-held digital imaging device that measures and documents skin lesions for use in diagnosing and monitoring skin diseases. A more accurate and user-friendly alternative to standard digital cameras, the Smartscope uses LED illumination to produce consistent, reliable images, which along with measurements and annotations, can be easily transferred to and stored in software that is compatible with electronic medical records. High-resolution images and detailed information captured with the Smartscope can also be printed for the patient or used in case studies submitted to medical journals.

Product page: Optomed Smartscope M3-1 ...

Smartscope brochure...

Press release: New Device Improves Quality of Imaging, Patient Experience

From the abstract in Journal of Medicinal Chemistry:

The high melanoma uptake and rapid body clearance displayed by our series of [¹²³I]iodonicotinamides prompted the development of [¹⁸F]N-(2-(diethylamino)ethyl)-6-fluoronicotinamide ([¹⁸F]2), a novel radiotracer for PET melanoma imaging. Significantly, unlike fluorobenzoates, [¹⁸F]fluorine incorporation on the nicotinamide ring is one step, facile, and high yielding. [¹⁸F]2 displayed high tumor uptake, rapid body clearance via predominantly renal excretion, and is currently being evaluated in preclinical studies for progression into clinical trials to assess the responsiveness of therapeutic agents.

Image: [¹⁸F]2 PET image analysis of murine melanoma. (A) Whole body and (B) transaxial PET images of a C57BL/J6 black mouse bearing a B16F0 tumor allograft (right flank) at 1 h postinjection of [¹⁸F]2. (C) Autoradiographic and (D) photographic images of [¹⁸F]2 uptake in melanotic areas of a B16F0 tumor frozen section from a 1 h autoradiographic acquisition of [¹⁸F]fluorine disintegrations.

Press statement by the American Chemical Society: A potential new imaging agent for early diagnosis of most serious skin cancer...

Full article in Journal of Medicinal Chemistry: Discovery of [18F]N-(2-(Diethylamino)ethyl)-6-fluoronicotinamide: A Melanoma Positron Emission Tomography Imaging Radiotracer with High Tumor to Body Contrast Ratio and Rapid Renal Clearance

Abstract in Dermatology Online Journal: Melanoma screening with serial whole body photographic change detection using Melanoscan® technology...

More from Connecticut Post...

Link: Melanoscan technology overview...]]> http://www.medgadget.com/archives/2009/08/melanoscan_time_lapse_total_immersion_photo_technology_helps_spot_dangerous_skin_lesions_over_time.html http://www.medgadget.com/archives/2009/08/melanoscan_time_lapse_total_immersion_photo_technology_helps_spot_dangerous_skin_lesions_over_time.html Dermatology Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:00:06 -0800 Watch out Dermabond! The FDA has given approval to Chesson Labs out of Durham, NC for company's NUVADERM™ liquid bandage. The product, approved for marketing to healthcare professionals and directly to consumers, is either sprayed or brushed on to "to cover intact skin and minor cuts, scrapes, burns or irritations of the skin, to help keep them clean and dry and help protect them from infection." The non-toxic material keeps moisture and dirt from penetrating the applied film layer while allowing oxygen to reach the wound site.

Some technical details of the NUVADERM:

NUVADERM is a single component, poly(urea-urethane) liquid emulsion polymer that is composed of large, highly complex molecules that incorporate a broad range and distribution of hard and soft segments. The different segments are tied together with urea and urethane linkages that are formed during synthesis. NUVADERM is applied topically to form a non-toxic, hydrophobic, elastomeric coating that provides a barrier against moisture but that is permeable to oxygen. NUVADERM requires no initiator or catalyst and therefore no mixing steps. It remains liquid until released into the air and therefore is applied by spraying or with an applicator brush.

Press release: Chesson Labs Liquid Bandage Product NUVADERM® Receives FDA510(k) Market Clearance (.pdf)...

Product page: NUVADERM...

Technical Data Sheet (.pdf)...; Anti-Microbial Data (.PDF)...

The engineers attached compact microscope lenses to a holder fitted to a cell phone. Using samples of infected blood and sputum, the researchers were able to use the camera phone to capture bright field images of Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite that causes malaria in humans, and sickle-shaped red blood cells. They were also able to take fluorescent images of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterial culprit that causes TB in humans. Moreover, the researchers showed that the TB bacteria could be automatically counted using image analysis software.

The engineers had previously shown that a portable microscope mounted on a mobile phone could be used for bright field microscopy, which uses simple white light — such as from a bulb or sunlight — to illuminate samples. The latest development adds to the repertoire fluorescent microscopy, in which a special dye emits a specific fluorescent wavelength to tag a target - such as a parasite, bacteria or cell - in the sample.

The researchers used filters to block out background light and to restrict the light source, a simple light-emitting diode (LED), to the 460 nanometer wavelength necessary to excite the green fluorescent dye in the TB-infected blood. Using an off-the-shelf phone with a 3.2 megapixel camera, they were able to achieve a spatial resolution of 1.2 micrometers. In comparison, a human red blood cell is about 7 micrometers in diameter.

The researchers pointed out that while fluorescent microscopes include additional parts, less training is needed to interpret fluorescent images. Instead of sorting out pathogens from normal cells in the images from standard light microscopes, health workers simply need to look for something the right size and shape to light up on the screen.

Article in PLoS ONE: Mobile Phone Based Clinical Microscopy for Global Health Applications...

Press release with video of the microscope in action: UC Berkeley researchers bring fluorescent imaging to mobile phones for low-cost screening in the field...

Side image: Fluorescent image of TB bacteria taken by the CellScope.

Flashback: CellScope for Rural Microscopy On The Go

From the press release:

The HairDX (RxR) Genetic Test for Finasteride Response will help doctors predetermine if patients will have a subtle, moderate, or great treatment response to Finasteride, allowing the physician to provide patients with the best treatment regimen to save their hair...

[The test] provides doctors with a patient score, called the CAG repeat score. “A smaller CAG test score is associated with an increased response to Finasteride for treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia,” says Dr. Sharon Keene, HairDX Chief Medical Officer. “Scientists discovered that among men that had the best response to Finasteride approximately 70% had a CAG score below 22 while among men that had a subtle response to Finasteride approximately 70% had a CAG score above 22.”

Press release: HairDX Introduces Genetic Test For Finasteride Response (.pdf)...

Product page: HairDX...

NOTE: Please say big hello to our new editor. Sean Duffy is a graduate of Columbia in neuroscience, who is starting Harvard Medical School this August. For now he will be blogging with us. This is his first post.

From the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center:

With hollow gold nanospheres inside melanoma cells, photothermal ablation destroyed tumors in mice with a laser light dose that was 12 percent of the dose required when the nanospheres aren't applied, Li [Chun Li, Ph.D., professor in M. D. Anderson's Department of Experimental Diagnostic Imaging] and colleagues report. Such a low dose is more likely to spare surrounding tissue.

Injected, untargeted nanoparticles accumulate in tumors because they are so small that they fit through the larger pores of abnormal blood vessels that nourish cancer, Li said. This "passive targeting" delivers a low dose of nanoparticles and concentrates them near the cell's vasculature.

The researchers packaged hollow, spherical gold nanospheres with a peptide - a small compound composed of amino acids - that binds to the melanocortin type 1 receptor, which is overly abundant in melanoma cells. They first treated melanoma cells in culture and later injected both targeted and untargeted nanospheres into mice with melanoma, then applied near-infrared light.

Fluorescent tagging of the targeted nanospheres showed that they were embedded in cultured melanoma cells, while hollow gold nanospheres without the targeting peptide were not. The targeted nanospheres were actively drawn into the cells through the cell membrane.

When the researchers beamed near-infrared light onto treated cultures, most cells with targeted nanospheres died, and almost all of those left were irreparably damaged. Only a small fraction of cells treated with untargeted nanospheres died. Cells treated only with near-infrared light or only with the nanospheres were undamaged.

Most of the targeted nanospheres in the treated mice gathered in the tumor, with smaller amounts found in the liver and spleen. Most of the untargeted nanospheres gathered in the spleen, then in the liver and then the tumor, demonstrating the selectivity and importance of targeting.

In another group of mice, near-infrared light beamed into tumors with targeted nanospheres destroyed 66 percent of the tumors, but only destroyed 7.9 percent of tumors treated with untargeted nanospheres.

The researchers used F-18-labeled glucose to monitor tumor activity by observing how much glucose it metabolized. This action "lights up" the tumor for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. Tumors treated with targeted shells largely went dark.

Press release: Targeted Nanospheres Find, Penetrate, then Fuel Burning of Melanoma

Image: Gold nanoparticles from an unrelated project. Credit Annie Cavanagh, Wellcome Images