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Teledermatology for suspected skin cancers

Dermatoscopes and cameras

Created 2017.  Buy a dermatoscope from DermNet's Amazon store

Dermatoscopic imaging options

A dermatoscope requires:

  • Magnification – varies from x 2 to x 100
  • Own light source – battery or rechargeable options, including via USB
  • Some means to reduce surface reflection (polarisation or immersion fluid)

Imaging requires:

  • Some means to attach the dermatoscope to the camera
  • Good lens and sensor
  • Storage and transfer capacity

 Smartphones and other personal mobile devices:  

  • Easy to use
  • Robust
  • Secure
  • Teledermatoscopy apps

Personal mobile devices have several advantages over SLR and compact cameras:

  • Multipurpose readily-available pocket devices
  • Built-in security
  • “Sharing” software
  • Direct uploading to archive or teledermatology application

For details, refer to websites of manufacturers, eg Apple, Samsung. Consider:

  • Display
  • Chip
  • Camera
  • Backup
  • Security

Dermatoscopes available in May 2017

The following details of some dermatoscopes may be outdated and several other suitable products are available.

See Skin lesion images taken to compare dermatoscopes.

Buy a dermatoscope and support DermNet

MetaOptima Technology MoleScope II

  • Compatible with many smartphones and tablets
  • USB rechargeable
  • 6 hours battery time
  • 10X magnification (50x-60X depending on the smartphone)
  • Works with DermEngine software on device and web
  • Stores images securely online, so active through WIFI or cellular network connection
  • Sophisticated decision-support software minimises need for second opinions
  • Polarised lighting
  • Contact and non-contact caps
  • Ideal for use in primary care

FotoFinder Handyscope

  • Compatible with iPhone 6, 6s and iPod Touch
  • Works with Handyscope 2 software software and FotoFinder Hub web storage
    • Private Group teledermatoscopy service available
    • HIPAA compliant
  • USB rechargeable
  • 8 hours battery time
  • 20X magnification
  • Polarised and unpolarised lighting
  • Non-contact and contact options
  • Slide it off the iPhone/iPod to take macro and anatomic views
Macintosh HD:private:var:folders:4w:yxrg3z2s1w13v4b6rfwh_v9c0000gp:T:TemporaryItems:home_mobile_connected_02.jpg

Canfield VEOS DS3

  • Compatible with iPod Touch
  • Works with VEOS software
  • USB rechargeable
  • 3.5 hours battery time 
  • Polarised and unpolarised lighting
  • Non-contact and contact options
  • Rotate dermatoscope lens to take macro and anatomic views
  • 10X magnification

Macintosh HD:private:var:folders:4w:yxrg3z2s1w13v4b6rfwh_v9c0000gp:T:TemporaryItems:product-grid.jpg      

 

Smart phone + adapter + handheld device

See current range of dermatoscopes

Dermlite dermatoscopes

 

3Gen DermLite DL4

Dermlite
3Gen-DL1

Dermlite
Hud SSS 

3Gen DermLite DL200 HR

3Gen DermLite
DL3

3Gen Dermlite DL200 Hybrid

Photo

dermlite dl4  dermlite dl1 dermlite hud  DL200HR 1 1024x1024  dermlite dl3

DL200Hybrid 1 large       

Smartphone
accessories/ compatibility

 iPod Touch   iPhone, iPod, iPad, Samsung + Almost any smartphone <5.5" width    Iphone 6, 6s, iPod Touch  IPhone 5, 5S, 6, 6s   iPhone, iPod, iPad, Samsung + more

Charger

 USB
rechargeable
USB
rechargeable 
USB
rechargeable  
USB
rechargeable 
USB
rechargeable 
USB
rechargeable

Battery time

 3.5 hours 1 hour   0.5 hour   8 hours   3.5 hours  2 hours

Polarisation

 Polarised +
unpolarised 
 Polarised +
unpolarised
 Polarised Polarised +
unpolarised
Polarised +
unpolarised
 Polarised +
unpolarised

Contact/
non-contact

 Contact +
non-contact 
Contact +
non-contact  
 
 Contact only Contact +
non-contact 
Contact only   Contact +
non-contact 

Magnification

10x   10x   10x

20x  

12x - 40x  10x

Other dermatoscopes

 

CANFIELD VEOS HD2 

Opticlar VISIONMED
D-scope 

Photo

veos hd2

visionmed opticolar

Compatability

 iPhone 4, 4s, 5, 6 & 6 plus with sleeve kit

iPad 2, 3, 4 & air with attachment 

 SLR adaptors + 

iPhone adaptor for iphone 4, 5, 6 and 6 plus

Charger

AA batteries
+
rechargeable 
USB
rechargeable 

Battery Time

10 hours   8 hours

Polarisation

Unpolarised  Polarised +
unpolarised 

Contact/
Non-contact

Contact only  Contact +
non-contact 

Magnification

10x 10x 

Standalone dermatoscopic camera with SD card

Buy a dermatoscope

DermLite DL CAM

The DermLite DL Cam is an integrated 5MP dermatoscopic camera originally designed by MoleMap New Zealand.

  • MoleTrak software (extra).
  • Polarised and non-polarised lighting
  • Easy to use with minimal training
  • Exposure and contrast can be tricky to get right
  • Contact only, so not useable in small or curved body sites
  • Need another camera for anatomic shots
  • 5 MP is adequate—images are easy to transfer and store

 DLCAMV2S6 medium

DermLite FOTO System

  • Combines the DermLite FOTO model with Nikon 1 ( one of the most compact cameras)
  • CX image sensor format
  • Macro imaging power of DermLite FOTO
  • Complete digital dermoscopy system
  • Point and shoot
  • 14.2 Megapixel 1" CX-format CMOS Image Sensor
  • 15 FPS Continuous Shooting 
  • Optical Zoom Viewfinder and 3.0" / 7.5 cm LCD
  • Full HD 1080 at 60i/30p Video
  • Enhanced Wi-Fi Capabilities
  • Continuous Shooting at 60 fps
  • TFT-LCD with brightness adjustment
  • ISO Sensitivity 160-6400
  • Adapters for other models are available for Nikon 1

 

DL FOTO System 0003 medium

Handheld dermatoscopes designed to be used with a compact camera  

DermLite DL3N, DL3, II Hybrid m, II PRO HR, II Multispectral, II Pro

  • Works with Nikon 1 and Sony Cybershot 20MP DSC-W800
  • X10
  • Polarised and nonpolarised lighting
  • Non-contact and contact options
  • Image quality moderate  

Canfield VEOS HD2

  • Works with Nikon 1

SLR + adapter

Canfield Scientific VEOS SLR

This is an integrated dermatoscopic calibrated 18 MP Canon EOS camera.

  • 24 megapixel camera
  • 22 x 15mm field of view
  • 270 pixels/mm
  • Cross-polarised and un-polarised
  • Contact and non-contact
  • C-MOS sensor
  • Glass plate on cone is removable for cleaning
  • Live preview on back of camera
  • Includes, 4 R/C batteries, and battery grip
  • Full HD 1080p video
  • Vari-angle Touch screen, 1 million dot, TFT, 3.0" Clear View II LCD monitor
  • Self-cleaning sensor
  • RAW (CR2) capture capable
  • Works with Mirror software
  • Need another camera for anatomic shots
  • Additional on-site training by Canfield and live webinar training

Some referrers may wish to use their own Nikon or Canon SLR camera.

Specific SLR camera adapters are available for some Heine, Opticlar and DermLite handheld dermatoscopes.  

Disadvantages of SLR systems:

  • Expensive
  • Bulky
  • Complex and time consuming to use
  • Contact only, so not useable in small or curved body sites

 

Related information

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