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new way of seeingAbout Michelson Diagnostics Michelson Diagnostics Ltd (MDL) is a healthcare company providing a live sub-surface view of cancerous tissue. The company was formed in March 2006 to develop a hand-held cancer scanner based on an imaging technology called optical coherence tomography (OCT). The patented device will give clinicians and researchers a live view of sub-surface tissue structures at near-cellular resolution - high enough to see the emergence and growth of cancer. It shows tissue as deep as 2 mm and offers much higher image resolution than ultrasound or MRI. The non-invasive cancer scan reduces the need for painful and costly biopsies and provides patients and doctors with immediate results. Whole organs can be systematically scanned for abnormalities. Suspect tissue can easily be monitored, and surgeons can immediately test whether all cancerous tissue has been removed. See MDL Press coverage here. The market need The market for the MDL cancer scanner consists of clinicians studying, diagnosing and treating a variety of cancers, including lung, cervical, skin and gastro-intestinal. This includes 50,000 cancer surgery theatres worldwide, and the doctors who conduct painful cervical biopsies on seven million women a year. MDL was founded by photonics expert Jon Holmes and four specialists in the development of laser-based instruments for medical markets. The chairman of MDL is veteran investor and entrepreneur John Knowles. The company has respected commercial and scientific advisors:
Intellectual property MDL has patents pending for its unique optical scanning technology and is filing for other patents. Roadmap Two prototypes have been in clinical testing since March 2007: at the Biophotonics Department at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, where it is being tested on excised human cervical and oesophageal cancer tissue, and in the Maxillofacial Research Group at University College Hospital, London for testing on skin, lung and oral cancers. First results will be presented at Photonics West in January 2008. Clinical and scientific customers who have already seen the prototype in action have been very excited by the speed of the instrument and the quality of the images produced. MDL invites enquiries from research groups interested in obtaining an instrument for their application. A product approved for clinical use will be launched by end 2009. For more information about Michelson Diagnostics Ltd and the application of OCT for cancer diagnosis and treatment please contact us. |