A Clinical Trial of Dermacorder for Detecting Malignant Skin Lesions

The Dermacorder is a non-invasive medical device that scans a probe over the skin about 200 microns away from it and detects the electric field in the skin using capacitative coupling. Measurements of hundreds of malignant melanomas in mice indicated that these lesions generate an electric field that is easily detected. One previous clinical trial at the VA Medical Center in Hampton VA indicated an 80% reliability in predicting malignant lesions by their electric field. We have improved the Dermacorder over the past two years by enhancing its sensitivity and stability and must now determine if these improvements have improved its ability to detect malignant lesions. If the Dermacorder provides a reliable diagnosis of malignant lesions, its use could dramatically reduce the number of biopsies performed and this would significantly improve the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of Americans seeking the advice of dermatologists regarding suspicious lesions each year

Inclusion criteria

• Study subjects must have had diagnosed at least one benign or malignant skin lesion;
• Subject is from 18-75 years of age, inclusive;
• Subject must sign and date all informed consent statements.

Exclusion criteria

• Subject is exhibiting signs of a bacterial or viral infection, including fever;
• Subject is unwilling to allow a biopsy of a malignant lesion for histological analysis.