Zenalux Biomedical Licenses WARF Patent for Optical Tissue Spectroscopy

Patented algorithm enables new optical diagnostic tools for disease detection...
 
March 17, 2011 - PRLog -- Durham, N.C. –  Zenalux Biomedical, Inc., a leader in biophontic diagnostics, has licensed key technology from the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) that enables the quantification of visible light spectroscopy measurements in biological tissue.  The licensed technology is a proprietary spectral analysis algorithm that was developed at the University of Wisconsin to provide accurate information about the composition of tissue. It enables a painless, nondestructive approach to measuring the underlying physiological, structural and biological nature of the tissue being investigated.

Visible Light Spectroscopy is the study of the interaction of conventional, white light with matter, in this case with biological tissue. This area is a rapidly-growing field of research and commercial activity as many academic groups and companies vie to implement optical spectroscopy in various fields of medicine. The goal is to develop new, sensitive techniques for the diagnosis of various diseases states.

"The patented WARF algorithm is unique in that it translates the very complex spectroscopic signal into five biological tissue characteristics (biomarkers) that reflect underlying function and composition," said Dr. Nimmi Ramanujam, Professor of BME, Director of the Tissue Optical Spectroscopy Laboratory at Duke University and an inventor of the technology. "Using these biomarkers, we are developing systems to image tumors in breast conservation surgery, help guide breast biopsies, and for small animal imaging among other applications."

Zenalux is implementing the algorithm in its first product, Zenascope™ PC1, a specialized, real-time, diagnostic device that shines light on biological tissue and then measures and analyzes the remitted signal. The device uses the proprietary software algorithm and standard measurement hardware to achieve rapid, quantitative, and non-destructive analysis of important biological endpoints that reflect the biological and physiological nature of the tissue specimen.

Zenalux plans to launch the Zenascope™ PC1 in the second quarter of 2011.  The PC1 is distinctive in that it can measure hemoglobin, hemoglobin saturation and scattering concurrently. The PC1 has an electronic records-keeping feature that will automatically record all measurements according to subject name and measurement location which gives the user a powerful data management tool that is unique to optical tissue spectroscopy. Pre-clinical and clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of this quantitative diagnostic technique both in vivo and ex vivo.  Applications areas that have been researched thus far are:  accelerating feedback in drug discovery; breast tumor margin assessment; breast biopsy; cervical cancer and head and neck cancer detection.

To learn more about the Zenascope and the technology, visit http://www.zenalux.com. Contact Zenalux at 2608 Erwin Road, Suite 148-164, Durham, NC 27705; call (919)-794-5757; email info@zenalux.com.

About Zenalux Biomedical, Inc.
Zenalux Biomedical is a biomedical diagnostics start-up company that is developing novel biophotonic-based tools to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer as well as other disease states. The company has established its leadership in biophotonics through its deep ties to Duke University. The company’s flagship product is the Zenascope, a patent-protected, photonic system that non-destructively measures dominant tissue chromophores (oxygenated hemoglobin, deoxygenated hemoglobin and beta-carotene) as well as changes in cellular morphology and density. Applications areas currently under study include:  accelerating feedback in drug discovery, breast tumor margin assessment, breast biopsy, and cervical cancer and head and neck cancer detection. Zenalux Biomedical is based in Durham, N.C. Visit http://www.zenalux.com.

# # #

Zenalux Biomedical is a biomedical diagnostics start-up company that is developing novel biophotonic-based tools to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer as well as other disease states. Visit www.zenalux.com.
End
Trending News
Most Viewed
Top Daily News



Like PRLog?
9K2K1K
Click to Share