The Cyscope is a new technology that may well enable early detection of cancer cells without the need for a biopsy. We are currently developing automated diagnostic tools requiring limited specialist intervention, primarily for the detection of oral cancers, using a well-defined subset of cell features, employing pattern recognition and image analysis. Further studies continue to refine the categorising of cells into five subsets, graded from normal to cancerous, using a database of over 8000 images collected so far.
The aim of microcytoscopy is to provide a non-invasive, in-vivo rapid detection tool of oral cancers, using vital dyes to observe living tissue. This speeds diagnosis, reducing patient stress, improving quality of life and treatment prognosis. At the same time this would reduce requirements for biopsy and the subsequent pathology costs. The combination of the hand held CVM and OratestTM dye used in-vivo, is unique. Established diagnostic techniques are based on a sample of tissue being surgically removed from the patient. This sample then passes through several lengthy processing steps before it can be examined under a microscope. The resulting images provide high levels of detail (i.e. 10000x magnification) which are then assessed by an expert pathologist. Microcytoscopy uses a far lower magnification of 200x which requires a completely new set of features to be determined with which to diagnose cancer, but at far cheaper cost.
We are currently developing automated diagnostic tools requiring limited specialist intervention, primarily for the detection of oral cancers, using a well-defined subset of cell features, employing pattern recognition and image analysis. Further studies continue to refine the categorising of cells into five subsets, graded from normal to cancerous, using a database of over 8000 images collected so far.
This tool is not only suited to the oral region but can also be potentially used in dermatological, rectal and gynaecological regions with suitable adaptations to the imaging head. At present, design of 2 new portable imaging systems are in development based on studies so far, thereby allowing a wider variety of practitioners to use the device.