Optical Coherence Tomophase Lung Imaging Technology Awarded Ninth Patent

A new patent offers designs and techniques for producing the first and only integrated systems that combine the effective imaging capabilities of a computed tomography (CT) scan and optical probing with recognized technology for therapeutic treatment utilizing electromagnetic radiation (e.g., laser, radiofrequency [RF], or microwave).

Tomophase Corp. (Burlington, MA, USA), developer of the minimally invasive optical coherence tomography imaging system (OCTIS) and other devices, reported that it has received notification from the US Patent and Trademark Office of the issuance of its ninth patent: Integrated Disease Diagnosis and Treatment System (US Patent # 7,970,458). This patent will have bearing on major imaging companies.

The integrated workstation concept combines the utility of CT for detecting/locating small early-stage solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs), with the ability of OCT to provide real-time high-resolution images of the nodules allowing the clinician to make a judgment as to the therapeutic approach indicated.

Tomophase is involved in developing bronchoscopic-based systems for interventional pulmonology. Offering significantly higher resolution than either CT scan or ultrasound, OCTIS will be deployed for sub-surface tissue imaging of airways and lungs, followed by diagnostic and therapeutic applications. The company has 18 additional patent applications pending. US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance for OCTIS was received in December 2010, and rollout of the systems is proceeding. The company is currently conducting a fundraising effort to meet the increasing international demand for the OCT imaging system.

“Our ninth patent represents a very significant step forward for Tomophase. Combining the benefits of OCTIS and CT imaging with the therapeutic capability of laser and radiofrequency ablation, the company will be able to provide a new, previously unavailable imaging and treatment modality for patients and clinicians. This approach has the potential to deliver state-of-the-art therapy in real time while minimizing overall treatment time,” said Ralph Johnston, president and CEO.

Dr. Peter Norris, executive chairman, added, “The integrated workstation concept will allow a protocol similar to colonoscopy to be deployed for high-risk lung cancer patients. Ultimately, we expect that the use of OCT and associated therapies will prove to have minimal side effects for dealing effectively with early-stage lung cancer where the survival rate can be upwards of 80%. All this is expected to be accomplished in an outpatient setting. Needless to say, we at Tomophase are very excited about this prospective advance.”

Tomophase is an opto-medical device company with a proprietary position in real-time, high-resolution, cross-sectional tissue imaging using a variant of OCT.

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