In this project, we develop a handheld and easy-to-operate optical probe for detecting melanoma. Delivery of the technology is aimed at non-dermatologist healthcare providers, improving their diagnostic accuracy and reducing the number of referrals to the specialists.
This project utilizes optical polarization, also known as the orientation of light waves. As light travels through skin, its wave orientation becomes disordered and scrambled, but in a unique way depending on the skin’s contents. By shining a laser on the skin, we can measure what kind of scrambling occurs, which can give a new “thermometer-like” measure to help separate cancerous and healthy skin tissue. Ongoing development in this project explores new sophisticated ways to fully classify the polarization changes created by cancer, such that a simple “thermometer-like” device can be developed, focusing on the most important changes. The end goal of this project is to develop a rapid, handheld, and easy-to-operate optical probe for detecting melanoma. Delivery of the technology is aimed at non-dermatologist healthcare providers, improving their diagnostic accuracy and reducing the number of referrals to the specialists.