BEDFORD, MA, August 23, 2002 -- The National Institutes of Health has awarded Spire Biomedical, Inc. a $144k Phase I contract for the development of a fiber laser instrument for middle ear surgery of children. Successful demonstration can lead to a Phase II contract for as much as $1 million to build a prototype instrument.
Each year over ten million children in the U.S., mostly between the ages of 6 months to three years, are treated for ear infections due to fluid in the middle ear. These infections do not always respond to antibiotics. In these cases, a procedure called a myringotomy is employed where a small hole is made in the eardrum to relieve fluid buildup to prevent infection. This hole is usually made surgically requiring anesthesia.
Recently, a large, pulsed gas laser has been used for myringotomy, but the loud "pop" of the laser frightens children. Spire's fiber laser approach has the advantages of having an optimal wavelength and an adjustable pulse duration that produces a much quieter pulse. It is also small and flexible so that it can be incorporated into a portable instrument.
Mark Little, CEO of Spire Biomedical, stated, "Improved therapies are needed for children's ear infections. We provide surface engineering treatment to myringotomy tubes for a medical device customer. We are happy to have received this contract which will help us build next generation biophotonic instruments, an important product line for us in the future."
Dr. Dennis S. Poe, M.D., Associate Surgeon in Otolaryngology at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, and Assistant Clinical Professor at the Harvard Medical School, a consultant on the project, said "This new laser technique holds the promise for a safer alternative for my patients".
The National Institutes of Health is one of the world's foremost medical research centers, and the Federal focal point for medical research in the U.S.
Spire Biomedical, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Spire Corporation, provides premium medical products and biotechnology surface engineering services for improving the performance of implantable medical devices.
Spire Corporation also provides solar electric systems and is a leading supplier of photovoltaic module manufacturing equipment.
For more information, visit www.spirecorp.com.
Laser Focus World