AI at Work in the Exam Room

The Clinic is using a potentially lifesaving tool to help identify skin cancer sooner.

Skin cancer is one of the most common—and treatable—types of cancer when detected early. To promote early detection, the Boca Grande Health Clinic has introduced a handheld diagnostic device called the DermaSensor™ to help assess suspicious skin lesions more quickly and accurately as part of routine patient care.

The DermaSensor™ uses advanced optical technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to assess lesions in real-time, in the exam room. It is the first in-office AI diagnostic tool in use at the Clinic, and Dr. Bret Kueber, M.D., says it’s already proving to be a valuable addition to the Clinic’s preventive care efforts.

“This device allows us to take a very quick and early look at concerning spots on the skin and determine which ones need further testing or biopsy,” said Dr. Kueber. “It helps us know how urgently a patient needs to be referred to a dermatologist—or when we can safely monitor a lesion over time.”

The DermaSensor™ is particularly useful during routine physical exams that include a skin check. Here’s how it works: The physician or provider gently touches the suspicious lesion with the handheld tool in five different spots. It shines light into the skin and uses elastic scattering spectroscopy to analyze how the light reflects off different tissue structures. Those readings are processed by a proprietary, FDA-cleared AI algorithm, which delivers a score in seconds indicating whether a lesion is likely benign or may need follow-up.

“It’s another set of eyes—ones that can see in a way the human eye can’t,” said Dr. Kueber. “Even something that looks benign to our eyes might raise a red flag with the tool, and that can be lifesaving.”

Dr. Kueber noted that several patients have been referred to dermatologists after the DermaSensor™ flagged high-risk scores, typically in the 8 to 10 range, which reflects a roughly 40 percent chance the lesion could be cancerous. Some lesions were biopsied and later treated or removed, including through Mohs surgery. In one case, a melanoma was identified and successfully excised.

The technology is particularly useful in a sun-soaked community like Boca Grande. “People here spend a lot of time outdoors—boating, fishing, golfing, playing tennis,” said Dr. Kueber. “And we know the risk of skin cancer goes up with age and lifetime sun exposure. This tool gives us a better way to catch problems early.”

To reduce the risk of skin cancer, Dr. Kueber recommends taking practical steps to limit sun exposure. “Wear protective clothing and a wide-brimmed hat, use a quality barrier sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, and reapply it often—especially after swimming or sweating,” he advised. “And avoid being outdoors between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., when the sun is strongest.”

To learn more about the DermaSensor™ and how it works, visit the Resources section on the DermaSensor™  website, where you’ll find patient-friendly videos, podcasts, whitepapers, and clinical insights about the technology: https://www.dermasensor.com/resources/.