What to look for when buying a Spirometry Machine

Dermatoscopes

As skin cancer awareness in Australia continues to grow, the need for medical centres and GP’s to be ready to deal with skin patients is more important than ever. Today, the Dermatoscope is a technologically advanced tool that has come along way from a basic magnification and light. Questions to be considered depend on the depth of skin work you want to do? Do you require a digital dermatoscope that allows photography to capture or do you only require scanning capabilities where the capturing of photos is not important? What is your budget? These questions will help you find the right dermatoscope for you or your practice.

Classic Dermatoscope

The classic dermatoscope as one might call it is that of magnification and additional lights. These devices can range from a few hundred dollars to two thousand dollars. They do not allow for the capturing of images and often used as a scanning tool. They range in magnification from 2x to 40x, which is reflected in the price tag. Higher end devices can have additional features such as the ability to switch between polarised light and non-polarised light. This ability can help assist in diagnosis as certain lesions can be viewed differently under each type of light. Polarised light can also limit the need for immersion oils, but this is very dependent on the type of lesion.

Digital Dermatoscopy

The latest advancement in dermatoscopy for medical centres and GP’s is digital/capturing dermatoscopy. It is where a camera can capture the image/view of the lesion. These devices also vary greatly in price from a few hundred dollars to almost two thousand dollars. Most of them now use a phone camera to capture the image. The phone attaches to a small dermatoscope so that it can provide additional lighting and magnification for the camera. The user can then use the camera feature on their phone to take the photo. If looking at this option, also consider how you plan to manage the photos you take. How do you get the photos to your patient’s file? Are they secure on the phone? These are important questions to consider. There is software available such as Dermengine that can help manage your dermatoscopy photography. Lastly, if looking at this option, consider what happens when you might buy a new phone or camera.

Can the dermatoscope easily and affordably upgrade its attachment mechanism to a new phone or camera?

Hybrid Dermatoscope

The hybrid dermatoscope is a mix of both the classic and digital dermatoscope. It can be used as a scanning tool while also being able to attach to image capturing devices such as a phone or camera. These are perhaps becoming the most popular option for medical centres as they offer the best of both worlds. Be sure to consider all the features mentioned from the above paragraphs such as magnification and polarised and non-polarised toggle abilities. If using it with capturing device, remember to plan with how you plan to manage the captured images. The hybrid devices normally start from about five hundred dollars and go up to two thousand dollars. Be sure to consider well-known brands and also the included warranties as these reflect the durability of the device.

High End

While most of this article is around devices for medical centres and GP’s, it must mention that there is a range of dermatoscopy devices beyond the standard dermatoscope. High-end suites that look at full body imaging and contain complex yet simple software can range from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars. These are considered when the skin will become a major focus point for your practice or you are looking to open a dedicated skin centre. If this is of interest, please contact us on 1300 22 44 50 to discuss further.

Conclusion

As with most medical devices, more often than not, the greater the price can reflect in improved features. However, be sure to look at the needs of your practice to decide on what features you really need. Be sure also to consider light quality. Almost all dermatoscopes are LED; however, the quality of the LED light can vary greatly between devices and brands. As with any equipment, purchase, be sure to ask the right questions. Our customer service and sales team are well equipped to answer any questions regarding Dermatoscopes on 1300 22 44 50.