OCTOBER 2, 2008 -- Michelson Diagnostics Ltd (MDL; Kent, UK) says it is broadening the commercial application of its multi-beam optical coherence tomography (OCT) technology into markets beyond its core target, the detection and diagnosis of various cancer forms. MDL's new focus will include tissue engineering and developmental biology -- in addition to some industrial applications.
"We are reacting to customers who have realized that the superior image definition provided by our patented multi-beam OCT technology is very advantageous in their applications", said MDL CEO Jon Holmes. "For a given depth of focus, you get twice the resolution, (or, for a given resolution, four times the focal depth), compared with single-beam OCT systems -- which means crisper, clearer images." He cited research on stem cells and dental applications among other examples.
The company currently markets the EX1301 OCT microscope, which it says is the only commercially available OCT product with < 10 μm lateral resolution, by virtue of its multi-beam optical design.
Holmes emphasizes that medical imaging remains a central objective of MDL. "We are developing clinical products for launch in 2009," he said, "and we are looking for business partners with experience in other fields to collaborate with or license to, allowing us to maintain our focus on cancer."