LONDON, UK--(Marketwire - August 24, 2011) - The 2011 Frost & Sullivan Europe Technology Innovation Award in Skin Cancer Diagnosis is conferred on SciBase AB for pioneering the development of a unique electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technology for the detection of malignant melanoma.
“SciBase’s skin cancer diagnostic platform based on EIS technology, successfully meets the market need for a reliable, fast, portable and accurate decision support tool for objective evaluation of suspicious lesions,” notes Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Sangeetha Prabakar. “The device’s unique design and its advanced signal processing capabilities make it a highly desirable system for the early detection of multiple forms of skin cancers.”
It measures the overall resistance within the skin tissue on applying alternating currents of varying frequencies. The CE marked device comprises a handheld probe connected to a small device that provides results on screen. The device measures EIS by applying a weak, alternating electrical current between the electrodes on the probe’s tip and gives immediate results within a few seconds.
The device uses microinvasive electrodes which provide direct access to the epidermal layer where melanoma starts. A key feature is a classifier that has been trained to interpret the resistance and detect characteristics that relate to malignancies. Another unique feature relates to the use of frequencies that are of clinical relevance to skin.
“The length of the spikes has been carefully chosen so that they do not hit the dermal layer, due to which there is no pain,” adds Prabakar. “Moreover, the electrodes are disposable, which eliminates the risk of infection.”
The device is currently being studied in clinical trials and results show that the device allows the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant moles with a sensitivity exceeding 98% and specificity over 20 percentage points better than study dermatologists.
“In addition, the device also has been shown to distinguish other types of non-melanoma skin cancer from benign moles with close to 100% sensitivity and 87% specificity,” remarks Prabakar. “Such accuracy highlights the clinical significance of SciBase’s EIS method.”
By allowing physicians to rule out benign lesions and scientifically evaluate suspicious lesions prior to excision, the portable device significantly reduces the time and money spent on unnecessary excisions. Moreover, SciBase technology detects skin cancer rapidly and does not require any invasive procedures.
In addition, the technology’s reliance on electrical impedance, one of the most important physical properties of tissues, makes it a potentially useful technique for monitoring alterations.
“For physicians, it enables a faster and efficient diagnosis and decision making,” concludes Prabakar. “For patients, it provides procedural convenience and cost savings, due to the reduced requirement of biopsies and surgical procedures.”
The Technology Innovation Award is presented to the company that has excelled in the following criteria: uniqueness of technology, impact on new products/applications, impact on functionality, impact on customer value and relevance of innovation to industry.
Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognise companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices in the industry.
About SciBase AB
SciBase AB is a privately held Swedish medical technology company, founded in 1998. SciBase has developed a unique patented method based on Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). The novel technology is the result of years of academic research at Karolinska Institutet, Sweden. The company is applying its platform technology initially for early detection of deadliest skin cancer form - malignant melanoma, with future scope to extend it to other cancer types. Final product development is completed with clinical trial training study finalized and pivotal verification study ongoing in Europe and US. The company’s goal is to commence market introduction in Europe and file for PMA in the US during 2Q12. SciBase has recently won VC funding of SEK 92 million ($13million), which will allow the firm to successfully complete the ongoing final clinical verification process and proceed towards commercialization in Europe/Australia.
About Frost & Sullivan
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