VELscope : An Oral Assesment System

 



The VELscope System is a revolutionary hand-held device that provides dentists, hygienists, and other oral health care professionals with an easy-to-use adjunctive mucosal examination system for the early detection of abnormal tissue.

It is a brand new oral cancer screening system which helps in early detection of oral cancer. The VELscope is a blue excitation lamp, which highlights precancerous and cancerous cell changes.

Clinical trials demonstrated that sensitivity of VELscope in detecting malignancy ranged from 22 % to 100 % and specificity ranged from 16 % to 100%. Most studies concluded that VELscope can help the experienced clinician to find oral precursor malignant lesions.

 Developed by BRITISH COLUMBIA CANCER AGENCY about 10 years ago and is approved by FDA and recognized by WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION.

 The VELSCOPE Vx enhanced oral assessment system centers on a handheld scope and a 12 MP high resolution digital camera that is being used by dentists to help visualise oral tissue abnormalities.

  It is a pre-diagnostic test to aid in detection of mucosal abnormalities including pre-malignant and malignant lesions. It is supplemental to traditional intra and extra oral examinations.

 

THE VELSCOPE ASSEMBLY SYSTEM:

 


 

MECHANISM OF ACTION OF VELSCOPE:

Velscope works on the mechanism of TISSUE AUTOFLUROSCENCE.

Visualising tissue autofluroscence takes place on basis of different wavelengths exhibited.

Tissue Fluoropres:

· Components of cell metabolism- FAD

 · Structural components – collagen, keratin, fibrin Progressive dyplasia in oral mucosa absorbs light at different wavelengths and shows loss of fluorescence.

 


SYSTEM FEATURES:

 • Painless, non-invasive, with no rinses or stains required.

 • An examination with the VELscope System takes only one or two minutes and is easy to incorporate into your workflow.

• Oral lesion mapping, tracking and patient management forms available online. Optional third-party photo-documentation solutions also available.

 • Flexible positioning: space-saving vertical or low profile horizontal orientation.

• Disposable VELsheath/Barrier ensures asepsis.

 • Disposable anti-fog VELcap helps maintain asepsis and protects the Handpiece special filtering optics.

 • Convenient disposable VELtractor assists clinicians as a “third hand” during the examination and also serves as a measuring guide.

 


ADVANTAGES:

• Improves clinical decision (good differential diagnosis and treatment planning).

• Helps in detection of borders in both surgical biopsy and excision.

 • Non invasive nature of examination.

• Cost effective.

• Early discovery of oral cancer leads to significant rise in survival rate for patients and extensive disfigurement can also be avoided.

 

DISADVANTAGES:

• Low patient education rate about newer technology.

• Fear of pain related to dental treatments.

 • Financial constraints.

• Indifference towards oral health.

 • Lack of motivation for preserving better quality of life.

 

PROGRESSION TO GOLD STANDARD FOR SCREENING…

 • More than 25 million VELSCOPE  examinations have been performed by over 12,000 dental practitioners in 23 countries.

 • From results of various studies conducted worldwide and also in India(Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai),it was concluded that the performance of the VELSCOPE  has the potential to improve oral screening efforts especially in low resource settings.

 • It is backed by more clinical studies than any other adjunctive device for tissue fluorescence visualization.


                                                            Dr. Anjusha Sharda 

 

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