An innovative new instrument that could transform oral cancer diagnosis is currently under development by researchers at the University of Liverpool (Liverpool,UK;www.liverpool.ac.uk) and Liverpool Head&Neck Centre(LHNC;Liverpool,UK;www.livheadandneck.co.uk).

The hand-held device named Liverpool Diagnostic Infrared (LDIR) Wand uses a small number of infrared lasers,combined with machine learning algorithm analysis of infrared spectral images of tissue,to rapidly and accurately identify lesions in the mouth that will develop into cancer.

The researchers will initially develop a prototype of the LDIR Wand for use in histopathology laboratories that could eventually be used in clinics for real-time diagnostics.