Khaberni - A team of researchers developed a wearable patch that works without batteries, capable of assisting in the early detection of skin cancer with high accuracy, reducing the need for surgical interventions and contributing to saving lives.
Skin cancer, especially melanoma, is among the most dangerous types of cancer. The challenge lies in that early detection often relies on visual examination, which may overlook early warning signs. The more advanced diagnostic tools, such as biopsies and medical imaging, are limited to specialized clinics.
Dr. Mohamed J. Moghimi, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering, led the development of the patch that measures the skin's bioimpedance in a simple, non-invasive way. Bioimpedance reflects how easily electrical signals can pass through tissues, with afflicted skin having different electrical properties than healthy skin, allowing the patch to identify abnormal areas.
The patch was designed to be flexible, devoid of electronic chips and batteries, and operates wirelessly with a small reader device.
The research team at Wake Forest University School of Medicine conducted a preliminary trial on ten volunteers, where the patch was placed on moles or adjacent healthy skin. The results showed clear differences in electrical signals between healthy and unhealthy areas, regardless of skin color.
Moghimi said, "Skin cancer is more treatable when detected early, but many people do not easily have access to specialized skin care. Our patch is designed to be affordable and easy to use, even outside a doctor's clinic, enabling patients and primary care providers to monitor lesions and seek help quickly."
The patch provides objective digital data about skin health, reducing the need for unnecessary biopsies and helping doctors make better decisions. It works efficiently across all skin tones and can detect changes in small or visually ambiguous lesions, with privacy protection through the production of non-visible digital data.
The team plans to enhance the patch by integrating conductive hydrogel electrodes to improve performance and comfort and to conduct broader clinical studies to assess its ability to distinguish between benign and malignant lesions in real-world environments.
The study results were published in the journal npj Biomedical Innovations.
