Eager attendees of the upcoming COMPAMED trade fair in Düsseldorf this week, Wednesday, November 12 - 14, will have an opportunity to witness a demonstration of a groundbreaking medical device that can assist physicians dealing with prostate cancer in identifying a benign prostate tissue change from a more concerning malignancy. The company behind this novel diagnostic device is Europe's largest application-oriented research organization, Fraunhofer, who claims it can distinguish between the two types of tissue alterations within a minute-and-a-half via an integrated visual analysis of a biopsy. Operating the device is simple enough. After obtaining a biopsy of the prostate tissue, clinicians simply place it on a base plate and slide it into the machine before pressing a button to allow the device to study the sample. The use of this optical diagnostic device allows for an accurate and speedy analysis without needing a pair of trained eyes, or a long wait, which can cause undue stress and anxiety on the patient's part. In less than 2 minutes, the doctor can immediately sit down with the patient to discuss the results and a plan of action. The device works by directing a laser pulse at the tissue sample, which temporarily excites fluorescent molecules called, "fluorophores". The emitted fluorescence decreases at a rate that varies between a benign or malignant sample. If the rate is above a set threshold, the sample is positive for cancer cells, and will activate a red light on the device, as opposed to a green light for a benign reading. The prototype measures 21 x 24 x 17 inches and has completed 2 clinical trials, with a third currently ongoing. This is not the first diagnostic device to be created specifically for prostate cancer, however. Another