Medical device company NinePoint Medical (Bedford, MA), which focuses on use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) for gastrointestinal (GI) applications, has entered into a long-term strategic partnership with Merit Medical Systems (South Jordan, UT). The partnership includes a strategic investment and a worldwide distribution agreement with Merit Medical's endoscopic division, Merit Medical Endotek (Endotek), for NinePoint Medical's NvisionVLE Imaging System with Real-time Targeting.
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The partnership combines GI and pulmonary medical devices from Endotek with NinePoint Medical's advanced OCT platform. This platform aids in the early detection of esophageal cancer, as it provides a high-resolution, real-time scan of the esophagus to enable physicians to view structures not evident with conventional imaging, and potentially identify disease that would have otherwise been missed.
The NvisionVLE Imaging System has been cleared by the FDA and is commercially available in the U.S. It is indicated for use as an imaging tool in the evaluation of human tissue microstructure, including esophageal tissue microstructure, by providing two-dimensional, cross-sectional, real-time depth visualization and may be used to mark areas of tissue. The safety and efficacy of this device for diagnostic analysis (that is, differentiating normal versus specific abnormalities) in any tissue microstructure or specific disease has not been evaluated.
For more information, please visit www.ninepointmedical.com.