Dermoscopic equipment and devices
High technology devices for clinical and research applications
Most of dermatologists use the traditional optical device, though an increasing number of ambulatories is equipped with digital instruments.
The dermoscopic examination can be carried using the following intruments:
Dermatoscope
The optical dermoscope is a small hand held instrument based on a lens, with a 10-20 fold magnification power enlighted with incidental light.
The dermoscopic exam can be carried out rapidly and easily way with this instrument which allows the illuminaion of intra- and sub-epidermal pigmented structures.
The spheric achromatic lens, combined with a halogen light beam, enables the operator to reach a 10 fold magnification of the area under investigation. The dermoscope can be used with or without immersion oil.
Dermaphot
The Dermaphot (Heine Optotechnik, Herrsching, Germany) is a special lens which can be mounted on digital cameras or reflex, and takes macro-shots up to 10 fold levels of magnification.
Stereomicroscope
The Stereomicroscope is an optical binocular instrument which allows a tridimensional and high-quality observation of epidermal and sub-epidermal structures.
This system has three different enligthing intensities and can be connected to a digital camera or a video camera for printing and storing images.
A portable manual stereomicroscope (more handy and less expensive) has been recently designed by J.F. Kreusch.
Videodermatoscope
The Videodermatoscope is a high-resolution color video camera connected to a maniple which enables the operator to examine skin lesions on a screen.
The Digital dermoscopy technique allows of the acquisition of images on informatic platforms and a series of operations such as images storing, image processing, follow up monitoring and medical teleconsults.
