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2008 Press Releases
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17th July 2008
Michelson Diagnostics to sponsor the University of Kent’s 1st Canterbury
Workshop on Optical Coherence Tomography and Adaptive Optics 8 – 10 September
2008
Michelson Diagnostics announces that it is pleased to provide sponsorship for
the 1st Canterbury Workshop on Optical Coherence Tomography and Adaptive optics
at the University of Kent in September.
The last five years have shown unprecedented developments in the field of
tissue imaging using low power infra-red and visible waves. Adrian Podoleanu
(Marie Curie coordinator) and his team have organised the workshop emphasising
two aspects of non-invasive optical imaging: optical coherence tomography (OCT)
and adaptive optics (AO).
There is a truly packed programme with tutorials, speakers and workshops
being given by leading global scientists working within the fields of Optical
Coherence Tomography and Adaptive Optics
Jon Holmes, CEO of Michelson Diagnostics, said “we are very excited about
this event at Canterbury and are looking forward to working with others in the
field to help drive the technology forwards and into mainstream research and
applications”
[Full details]
27th June 2008
Michelson Diagnostics demonstrates cutting edge Optical Coherence Tomography
Microscope at 7th International Conference on Head and Neck Cancer.
Michelson Diagnostics is the UK's leading independent manufacturer and
developer of Optical Coherence Tomography imaging equipment. Their EX1301
Microscope offers near-cellular (<10 micron) sub-surface images for biomedical
research applications; 2/3D tissue architecture is captured non-invasively, in
real-time & without ionising radiation.
Demonstrations of the high resolution OCT EX1301 Microscope will be shown at
the Michelson Diagnostics stand 303 at the AHNS event for the duration of the
exhibition. Gordon McKenzie, Applications Director and Jon Holmes, CEO invite
you to see for yourself how the innovative four beam technology provides quality
imaging for research use.
[Full details]
23rd April 2008
National Physical Laboratory purchases state-of-the art OCT scanner from
Michelson Diagnostics for groundbreaking research
The UK’s National Physical Laboratory (NPL) has taken delivery of a
state-of-the-art Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) scanner from Kent-based
Michelson Diagnostics Ltd. The OCT scanner will be used in NPL’s leading-edge
research into quantifying results from this new type of medical imaging
technology.
“Our research will underpin the application of OCT imaging to a huge range of
applications, such as in diagnosis of cancer, tissue engineering and new ways of
looking at tooth decay and dental biomaterials”, said Dr Pete Tomlins, leader of
the research team at NPL. “We aim to measure the optical properties of
biological materials from OCT scans – traceable measurements will enable
clinicians to take important treatment decisions from the images, with
confidence in their accuracy.”
NPL chose the Michelson Diagnostics EX1301 OCT scanner in a competitive
tender, after evaluating performance of several competing products. The EX1301
provides double the image resolution, by virtue of its novel optical design – a
key factor affecting the decision, according to Dr Tomlins.
Optical Coherence Tomography is a new type of medical imaging technology,
that can provide sub-surface images of biological tissue at far higher
resolution than is possible with ultrasound, MRI or CT scanners. It uses a
low-power laser, safe to patients and clinicians, to perform the scan, and can
be used during an operation or clinical procedure, to see changes in tissue that
are caused by disease.
[Full details]
19th March 2008
Michelson Diagnostics Announces Development of In-Vivo OCT probes
Cancer imaging technology company Michelson Diagnostics Ltd (MDL) has
announced that it has commenced the engineering phase of its development of
probes for in-vivo imaging with optical coherence tomography (OCT).
According to MDL Applications Director Dr Gordon McKenzie, more than one type
of probe will start clinical testing during 2008. The probes will be suitable
for a variety of applications, including research into diagnosis, treatment and
monitoring of cancer of the oral cavity, oesophagus, skin, cervix, colorectal
tract and lung. “All of the probes will use MDL’s breakthrough multi-beam OCT
technology”, he said, “which will provide at least double the resolution of
competing equipment, for much crisper, clearer image of clinical features.”
Dr McKenzie confirmed that users of the existing EX1301 OCT Microscope will
easily be able to upgrade to the in-vivo technology as soon as it is released.
He also said that MDL is interested in finding clinical teams that are
interested in conducting clinical trials with the in-vivo probes.
[Full details]
19th January 2008:
Michelson licenses multi-beam OCT technology from Toronto researchers
Medical imaging technology company Michelson Diagnostics Ltd (MDL) has signed
an exclusive, worldwide license to a powerful biophotonic approach patented by
the University Health Network (UHN), Toronto, Canada.
The patent covers the use of multiple optical beams to extend the depth of
focus and improve imaging performance in Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT).
This overcomes a major drawback of Fourier domain OCT imaging, that of limited
transverse optical resolution: for example, a four-beam OCT system will provide
twice the lateral spatial resolution of a conventional single-beam system.
“The potential advantages to a clinician of higher resolution OCT imaging are
very significant”, said professor Alex Vitkin, leader of the OCT research group
in the Division of Biophysics and Bioimaging at the Ontario Cancer Institute,
UHN. “Clearer images with more detail will enable faster, more accurate clinical
decisions for improved patient outcomes, and will also result in substantial
healthcare savings through shorter procedures and reduced follow-up costs”.
MDL and the UHN Toronto team are collaborating to demonstrate the multi-beam
technology using invivo flexible probes in animal imaging setting, working
towards its implementation in patients undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy.
The primary inventor, Dr. Victor Yang, a medical doctor and an optical engineer,
will be closely involved with the project to ensure success.
“We are very pleased to be working with the world-leading OCT research team
at UHN,” said Jon Holmes, CEO of Michelson Diagnostics Ltd, “and we are looking
forward to getting in-vivo results by the UHN team, using the MDL engineered
probe, from the gastrointestinal tract in the first part of 2008.” He added “The
commercial and clinical potential for OCT for early cancer detection and
diagnosis, and for treatment guidance and monitoring, is enormous. We believe
that the licensed technology will enable Michelson Diagnostics to maintain
market leadership in this rapidly expanding field.”
[Full details]
19th January 2008
Michelson Diagnostics Announces Upgraded OCT Product
Cancer imaging technology company Michelson Diagnostics Ltd has announced
release of upgrades to its ground-breaking EX1301 OCT microscope. The upgrades
provide higher imaging resolution, 3D image capture capability, and improved
capture frame rate. Researchers will now be able to establish even more detailed
real time, sub-surface information from the images.
The EX1301 is now available with the Santec-2000-W wide-sweep laser, which
provides an increase in the sweep range from 100 nm to 150 nm. The result is
improved axial resolution and isotropic pixel size reduced from 6 mm to 4.5 mm
(in tissue).
3D image capture is possible with the motorized stage option, enabling
researchers to analyze 3D datasets and produce en-face images and 3D rendered
graphical models of their samples.
Michelson has also improved the processing system with faster algorithms and
electronics, resulting in a tripling of the frame rate – the EX1301 achieves 2.9
fps for a 4.5 mm wide, 1000 A-line image.
[Full details]
14th January 2008
MDL adopts environmental policy
At Michelson Diagnostics Ltd (MDL), we passionately believe in the importance
of protecting our Earth and its population from the adverse effects of
generating pollution and waste. We have therefore formally adopted an
Environmental Policy, governing how we approach the design of our products and
conduct our business, so as to minimise our carbon footprint and pollution
impact. Details of the policy are provided below.
We have also registered with a provider of an approved compliance scheme,
Econo-Weee, to ensure compliance with the Waste Electrical and Electronic
Equipment directive.
[Full details]
14th January 2008
Successful OCT imaging of oral cancer tissue announced by MDL and UCH
Optical imaging company Michelson Diagnostics Ltd (MDL) announced today
successful initial results from clinical testing, on oral cancer tissue, of its
groundbreaking OCT imaging technology by partner University College Hospital,
London (UCH).
The tests, performed by UCH scientists on cancerous and suspected cancerous
human oral issue, were designed to establish the potential for MDL’s optical
imaging technology to revolutionize head and neck cancer diagnosis and
treatment. The tests involved comparing images taken by the MDL scanner of the
tissue samples, with histopathology images analyzed by trained pathologists.
"We are very excited about the breakthrough in image quality that this system
offers," said Mr Colin Hopper, Senior Maxillofacial Surgeon at UCH. He added
"OCT could revolutionise the surveillance of pre-cancers in the mouth and
eliminate the waiting time for biopsy results. It should also minimise surgery
through improved disease mapping. This will provide cost effective treatments
with improved cure rates”.
In the tests, 25 oral tissue samples were collected from 14 patients of the
UCH National Medical Laser Centre. The samples were scanned with the MDL OCT
imaging system and then prepared for analysis by Pathologist Dr Brendan Conn.
Clinical Research Fellow Mr Waseem Jerjes said “the histopathology results
showed that it is possible to identify surface structures such as keratin and
epithelial layers, the epidermal / dermal junction and areas of cellular
crowding as well as any pathological changes that occurs at that level; this is
very exciting, this method seems to hold great promises for early in vivo tumour
diagnosis”.
The company’s highly innovative optical probe technology offers the best
available sub-surface OCT images for research applications in cancer surgery
guidance, surveillance and diagnosis.
[Full details]
4th
January 2008
Michelson Diagnostics expands further
Due to its expanding personnel and need for more development, production and
office space, MDL has leased another, larger, business unit at its headquarters
in Orpington, Kent, nearly doubling its premises floor area. MDL also welcomes
new recruit Alison Day, who will assist Operations Director Martin Johns with
financial administration.
[2007 press releases]
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