PRODUCT REVIEWS

"DermLite is a very feasible tool! It allows fast and precise dermoscopic observation of pigmented skin lesions, since no oil is required for visualizing dermoscopic features in pigmented skin lesions. Also, it is the smallest hand-held dermatoscope I have ever used!

During my daily routine I have been using the DermLite for scoring various melanocytic lesions with the 7-point checklist. This is a simplified scoring method for the dermoscopic diagnosis of melanoma.

Using the 7-point checklist one has to score the presence of 7 dermoscopic criteria, namely, atypical network, blue-white veil, atypical vascular pattern (so-called major criteria), and irregular streaks, irregular dots/globules, irregular pigmentation, and regression structures (blue, pepper-like granules and/or white, scar-like areas; so-called minor criteria).

When at least one major and one minor criteria (or 3 minor criteria) are present, the diagnosis of melanoma may be suspected and the lesion has to be removed.

By using DermLite all dermoscopic criteria for the 7-point checklist can be easily recognized. Interestingly enough, vascular patterns can be seen more easily with DermLite compared with other hand-held dermatoscopes, since the vessels are not missed because of the glass-slide compression."

- Dr. Guiseppe Argenziano
Naples, Italy

Dr. Guiseppe Argenziano is from the Clinica Dermatologica at the Federico II University of Naples, Italy and a leader in epiluminescence microscopy. He has published several studies about the subject as well as the books "Epiluminescence Microscopy. A new approach to in vivo detection of Sarcoptes scabiei" and "Epiluminescence microscopy: criteria of cutaneous melanoma progression". He is well-known for his 7-point checklist for the diagnosis of doubtful melanocytic skin lesions. View PDF of 7-point checklist (516KB)

How the DermLite™ Pocket Dermatoscope Redefines Convenience in Everyday Dermatoscopy

"I used to have problems doing dermatoscopy/nevoscopy at the VA clinic (which I attend 2 half days a week). We see many atypical nevi, lentigos, lentigo malignas and melanomas there, but it never seemed worth the effort to cart the nevoscope the 3 or 4 blocks from the University Clinic with it's attendant power supply (or even a dermatoscope with or without it's charger!) to the VA twice a week, every week. Some weeks I don't even need it, so it would be a lot of effort for the privilege of always having a dermatoscope when I need it. Even worse was the thought of buying an expensive dermatoscope and trying to find a place where the scope or the charger base would not walk off some week.

The DermLite has changed all that. Now I simply slip this compact instrument in my white coat pocket (actually it stays there all the time, and I never notice it unless it happens to fall out when I bend over). This means that effectively, I always have a dermatoscope handy wherever I am, be it the private clinic at the University or seeing patients at the VA with the residents. It is so lightweight that I never notice it until I reach for it, which is more and more often. All this for about the same cost or less than a traditional dermatoscope!

It is also possible to take reasonable quality nevoscopic photos through a DermLite with my trusty Nikon 950 digital camera (see below). These photos are good enough to show to my residents during our weekly dermatoscopy/digital photo review sessions, although they are not a substitute for good nevoscopic photographs.

In fact, I have noticed that almost everyone who uses this thing, quickly wants one of their own. (...) Recently a surgical colleague of mine helped me with a skin cancer screening clinic and ended up using my DermLite more than I did! I'm glad we had it with us, which is really a testament to how easy this thing is to carry around (since you always leave it in your coat pocket). If you like using a magnifying loupe you will like this better because it is a lighted magnifying glass on steroids. If you like dermatoscopes you will like this better because it's always with you and therefore can be deployed in seconds not minutes. If you have no experience with either, this is still a good time and a good instrument to get started doing dermatoscopy with, because it is the most practical, usable device I have ever seen for this purpose. Even if you never formally learn the principles of dermatoscopy, this is the best magnifying glass you've ever had in your hand.

Disclaimer: I do not have any stake in 3Gen or stand to gain from the sale of these instruments beyond obtaining a DermLite for one of my residents who needs it to help me screen patients for a clinical trial we are doing together."

- Mark Naylor, M.D.
(Associate Professor of Dermatology University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center)

Clearly Whiter Light, Crisp View

I am showing my patients for comparison either my old Heine or Welch Allyn Dermatoscopes... and they are impressed with the clearly "whiter" LED light and the crisp view [of the DermLite]. It may not be conventional, but on live marketing events, having a Heine ot Welch-Allyn for comparison will sell your product.

- Steven Tang, M.D.

Melanoma on First Day

I bought a Dermlite DL100 at the AAD last week and am enjoying using it. By the way, I picked up a melanoma with the unit on my first day of use. Great technology. Thanks!

- David F. Jaffe, M.D.
Havre de Grace, Maryland

Dr. Steven Grekin: No Oil - No Mess

- Dr. Steven Grekin
Board Certified Dermatologist
Wyandotte, Michigan

No-Oil DermLite Increases Examining Speed vs. Dermogenius

"As far as the Dermogenius is concerned...it is a little better than the DermLite... but I am comparing the Dermogenius using oil with the DermLite using no oil. (...) I can look at moles at high speed which is what I need to do. I take a second look with Dermogenius for tricky lesions (very few on most patients). (...)

The Dermogenius light source seems a bit more powerful I guess. Anyhow, I think your DermLite is a wonderful product and it has increased my examining speed significantly, simply because I don't need to use oil. I wouldn't be without it now."

- Dr. David Langford
Dermatologist
New Zealand

DermLite Lives in Pocket - Used all the Time

"It's great, thanks - lives in my pocket, used all the time. But the image is smaller than I'm used to... "

- Dr. Amanda Oakley
Dermatologist
New Zealand

Bright and Revealing Images

"I'm enjoying my DermLite. I compare the image to my Mole Max video camera and find it brighter and just as revealing - even better when viewed thru an Optivisor, a magnifying loupe commonly used by derms.

Two things I would like to see - a rechargeable battery and an attachment for my Sony Mavica digital camera for documentation purposes. I also appreciate the portability of the device compared to the Welch-Allyn dermatoscope."

Best wishes,

-Dr.Pierre Jaffe
Dermatologist
Columbia, SC

A Feast for the Eyes

"What can I say... the Dermlite is great fun. A feast for the eyes. It is the only "toy" that I have (besides my Mavica), not having the Dermascope/Lasers/Palm pilots, etc...

The Dermlite has made the "mole check" of any patient visit a trip to a museum. Nevi have become works of art.

And for a non gadget person, how easy to use.The design makes intuitive sense. I even got the batteries in without looking at the directions! :-) Personally, I like the "non medical instrument" look and feel of it. And then when you hand it to a patient to look at their own lentigo or nevus it is as if you gave them a VW bug to drive, but with a 300 HP motor. A big surprise. What fun.

This counts as the "esthetic" evaluation... I am sure other [doctors] will evaluate other parameters."

- Dr. Diane Thaler
Dermatologist
Madison, Wisconsin