In this interview with MEDICA-tradefair.com, Inga Bergen explains how the method that Magnosco developed is used for early detection, describes the doctors and patients who can benefit from it and reveals the future plans of Magnosco GmbH.
Ms. Bergen, how does Magnosco’s method enable the early detection of skin cancer?
Inga Bergen: Our procedure uses laser spectroscopy and artificial intelligence. We use a laser beam to stimulate the melanin of the skin to glow and record its reflection. Via an algorithm, we use the resulting pattern to calculate the probability of tissue disease. This lets us calculate a score that indicates whether the tissue is benign or malignant. This is an easy-to-use procedure because you get a score at the end and don’t have to interpret an image you obtained through medical imaging techniques.
How was this device created?
Bergen: Our Company was established in 2014, which is also when we started to conduct clinical trials using a prototype. Last November, DermaFC was approved as a Class IIa medical device. We have developed the device in-house. We are a small 12-member team, which includes physicians, physicists, biologists, information scientists, and electrical engineers.
What is the intended use of the device?
Bergen: Our goal is to support the entire skin cancer diagnostics process chain. The device that we already use today is designed to allow a diagnosis instantly upon examining the patient. We also have another prototype of this device, which we currently use to conduct a study for an ex-vivo device where we look at excised tissue. At the moment, we focus on malignant melanoma, but also want to expand the procedure to include other types of skin cancer in the future.
Which doctor or which group of doctors can use this device?
Bergen: The DermaFC device can be used by all physicians who are qualified to perform skin cancer screenings. The device is especially interesting for dermatologists and general practitioners but is also suited for medical centers with a variety of qualified physicians. There are approximately six thousand dermatologists and nearly 34,000 physicians in Germany who offer skin cancer testing.