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22nd February 2007 Lucid has previewed its VivaNet telemedicine server for dermatology applications. The VivaNet server is intended to link dermatology practitioners using Lucid's non- invasive VivaScope confocal imagers with other dermatologists or pathologists via the Internet. "Lucid's non-invasive VivaScope confocal microscopes provide cellular resolution images of skin that may be used by a dermatologist to assist in forming a clinical judgment for a variety of skin conditions," said Jay Eastman, Chairman and CEO of Lucid, Inc. He continued, "VivaNet is intended to provide fast, accurate, and secure storage, retrieval and transfer of VivaScope digital cellular resolution images across the Internet to facilitate professional collaboration and consultation." During a typical VivaScope imaging session, both dermatoscopic quality, full color macroscopic pictures and microscopic, cellular resolution images of the patient's skin are imaged. Once all of the images for a single session are completed, the images and patient related data are transferred for storage to the secure VivaNet server and are immediately available for retrieval by and transfer to other authorized practitioners for their review and collaboration. VivaNet is an Internet-based, DICOM-compliant application that enables the transfer of VivaScope digital images between practitioners and pathologists for rapid review of confocal images. DICOM, which is an acronym for Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine, is an internationally accepted, and widely used open standard for the storage, retrieval and transfer of medical images. HIPAA-compliance, privacy, and data integrity are assured by using proven DICOM compliant software modules that incorporate advanced encryption techniques. "Our plan is that VivaNet will ultimately make in-vivo confocal images available for review by other dermatologists and pathologists in minutes, not days, thus enabling rapid, real-time professional collaboration," said Eastman. "Lucid's ultimate goal is that practitioners will rapidly receive a pathologic interpretation of confocal images from a VivaScope session, potentially assisting the practitioner in arriving at a clinical judgment while the patient is still in the doctor's office." Under a 3-year grant from the National Institute of Health's National Cancer Institute, Lucid is conducting a five site clinical study to determine the diagnostic accuracy of VivaScope images for pigmented lesions. Pilot studies of the procedure, published in 2004 - 2006, demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity for VivaScope images when read by a panel of diagnostic readers with relatively little training in confocal image interpretation (30 to 60 minutes). This study will be facilitated by the use of the VivaNet server. "We are excited to introduce VivaNet to the dermatology community and believe that the combination of Lucid's patented VivaScope and VivaNet technologies, that enable near real-time storage, retrieval and communication of in-vivo confocal images, will ultimately bring these tools into routine clinical use," said Eastman. Subscribe to the Wireless Healthcare free weekly newsletter
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