The Nail Remains Intact – Non-invasive Laser Diagnostics Through Nails

The acral lentiginous melanoma is a rare but highly malignant cancer that can also occur under toenails or fingernails. It must be detected and removed as early as possible. However, much more commonly, a bruise (hematoma) occurs under the nails. A safe diagnostic differentiation between cancer and hematoma typically requires a biopsy, including the removal of part of the nail.

LTB has developed a non-invasive diagnostic method based on its LIMES 16 P device for the early detection of melanoma, which allows this differentiation even through the nail without affecting the nail. Successful testing was recently conducted in collaboration with the Berlin dermatology practice of Dr. med. R. Eichhorn.

The LIMES 16 P melanoma diagnostic system works on the basis of a new patented method that enables the measurement of the extremely weak fluorescence of melanin in skin tissue. This fluorescence is significantly different in healthy moles compared to malignant melanoma. Thanks to the high spatial resolution of the LIMES 16 P, the degeneration of tissue can be detected at a very early stage. At the same time, the method helps to avoid unnecessary biopsies.

Dr. Dieter Leupold
LTB Lasertechnik Berlin GmbH
Rudower Chaussee 29
12489 Berlin