Virtual biopsy device to detect skin tumours

Why is it in news?
  • Scientists have developed a ‘virtual biopsy’ device that can quickly and non-invasively determine whether a skin tumour is cancerous and needs to be removed surgically.
More in news
  • Working:
    (1) It uses sound vibrations and pulses of near-infrared light.
    (2) The device can determine a skin lesion’s depth and potential malignancy without using a scalpel.
  • Non-invasive analysis ability: The ability to analyse a skin tumour non-invasively could make biopsies much less risky and distressing to patients.
  • Non-clarity in current practice: Currently, physicians who perform surgical biopsies often do not know the extent of a lesion-and whether it will be necessary to refer the patient to a specialist for extensive tissue removal or plastic surgery- until surgery has already begun.
Source
The HIndu




Posted by Jawwad Kazi on 18th Jun 2019