Montreal, Canada – Researchers from Université de Montréal and the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) have developed a minimally invasive technology that may enable earlier detection of skin cancer before it becomes visible.

The system, called SMEAR-ULM, was tested in preclinical studies on mice and is designed to identify micro-melanomas by measuring extremely small temperature changes at the skin surface.

Led by INRS professor Jinyang Liang, the research focuses on transforming subtle thermal signals into a precise diagnostic tool for early-stage cancer detection.

The study, published in Nature Sensors, was developed in collaboration with several teams, including researchers at INRS and the Université de Montréal, among them Fiorenzo Vetrone, Davide Brambilla, and Sylvain Meloche.

Scientists involved in the project say the potential impact is significant, as melanoma cases continue to rise and early detection remains essential for improving survival rates.

The technology introduces a temporary patch of painless microneedles that places specialized nanoparticles just beneath the skin.

These nanoparticles act like microscopic thermometers and respond to near-infrared light by emitting optical signals that vary depending on local temperature.

Because cancer cells generate more heat due to higher metabolic activity, these tiny temperature differences can be captured and analyzed.

The SMEAR-ULM system uses ultrafast imaging to produce high-resolution thermal maps in a single snapshot, enabling real-time detection of abnormal tissue responses.

Researchers also demonstrated a robot-assisted setup, where the imaging system is mounted on a robotic arm for precise positioning during scanning.

The system was able to identify micro-melanomas as early as four days after formation, far earlier than conventional imaging techniques.

Traditional methods typically detect larger lesions and often require invasive biopsies, which this approach could help reduce.

The technology may also be adapted in the future to measure other biological signals such as pH levels or ion concentrations, expanding its potential use in medical diagnostics.

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