The Velscope

Studies & Clinical Papers

The VELscope system uses enhanced tissue fluorescence visualization technology to directly view the oral mucosa much more effectively than can be achieved with the naked eye. This technology, which is backed by over $50 in research funded by the NIH and other respected organizations, has been in place in the medical field for years. The VELscope represents the first oral application of this technology and has had numerous papers and case studies published supporting its ability to help discover oral mucosal abnormalities, including oral cancer and precancer.

On VELscope:

• Poh CF et al: Direct fluorescence visualization of clinically occult high-risk oral premalignant disease using a simple hand-held device. Head Neck 2006 Nov; 28(11)
• Poh CF et al: Fluorescence visualization detection of field alterations in tumor margins of oral cancer patients. Clin Cancer Res 2006; 12(22): 6716-6722
• Poh CF et al: A real-time application of fluorescence visualization (FV) to identify a novel optical field for subclinical extension in high-risk oral lesions. Poster presented during the 2008 AAOMP Annual Meeting. San Francisco, CA
• Lane PM et al: Simple device for the direct visualization of oral cavity tissue fluorescence. J Biomed Opt. 2006 Mar-Apr; 11(2):024006
• Zhang L et al: Direct fluorescence visualization as adjunct for identification of high-risk oral premalignancies. Poster presented during the 2007 AACR Annual Meeting. Los Angeles, CA
• Williams PW et al: Evaluation of a suspicious oral mucosal lesion. J Can Dent Assoc. 2008; 74(3): 275-80.
• Kois JC & Truelove E: Detecting oral cancer – a new technique and case reports. Dentistry Today, October 2006; 25(10): 94-97
• Poh CF et al: Oral cancer screening in the Vancouver downtown eastside – a High-Risk Underserved Population. Draft to be submitted for publication

On the use of natural tissue fluorescence for the detection of oral premalignant and malignant lesions:

• De Veld DCG et al: The status of in vivo autofluorescence spectroscopy and imaging for oral oncology. Oral Oncol. 2005 Feb; 41(2): 117-31
• Svistun E et al: Vision enhancement system for detection of oral cavity neoplasia based on autofluorescence. Head Neck. 2004 Mar; 26(3): 205-15
• Utzinger U et al: Optimal visual perception and detection of oral cavity neoplasia. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 2003 Mar; 50(3): 396-9
• Heintzelman DL et al: Optimal excitation wavelengths for in vivo detection of oral neoplasia using fluorescence spectroscopy. Photochem Photobiol 2000; (72)1: 103–113
• Betz CS et al: Autofluorescence imaging and spectroscopy of normal and malignant mucosa in patients with head and neck cancer. Lasers Surg Med. 1999; 25(4): 323-34
• Ingrams DR et al: Autofluorescence characteristics of oral mucosa. Head Neck 1997; (19)1: 27–32
• Onizawa K et al: Fluorescence photography as a diagnostic method for oral cancer. Cancer Lett 1996; 108(1): 61–66