Tomophase receives seventh patent for OCT fiber-optic imaging catheter
Burlington, MA--Tomophase Corporation, a developer of non-invasive optical coherence tomography (OCT) tissue imaging devices, announced that it has received notification of the issuance of its seventh patent: Delivering Light via Optical Waveguide and Multi-view Optical Probe Head, U. S. Patent # 7,706,646. See also related stories "Volcano receives FDA clearance for digital IVUS catheter and CE Mark for OCT system" and "MEMS scanners enable in vivo 3-D OCT".
This new patent covers the unique, disposable fiber-optic imaging catheter which is a key component to the company’s Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging System (OCTIS). This invention in part describes the optical probe and the capability to project light beams in either forward or orthogonal directions with a rotary trajectory to visualize tissue to a depth of 2-3 mm.
The first application of OCTIS will be to visualize airway and lung tissue in Interventional Pulmonology. The company has an additional 20 patent applications pending. OCTIS is currently for experimental use only and not cleared by the FDA for patient use. The company is currently pursuing FDA regulatory clearance. “We are pleased to receive this patent which we believe will increase the flexibility of OCTIS as a new tool in the armamentarium for interventional pulmonologists. Our company is committed to providing new, innovative medical imaging products to improve the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the lung and airways” said Peter Norris, CEO.
--Posted by Gail Overton; [email protected]; www.laserfocusworld.com.