Zenalux Adds Pressure Sensing Capability to Zenascope™ System

DURHAM, N.C. - Oct. 16, 2013 - PRLog -- Zenalux Biomedical, Inc., a biomedical diagnostics company, has improved measurement reproducibility in its Zenascope™ system by adding a pressure sensing capability to its optical probe.  The system now allows users to dial in a target pressure for each measurement via the user interface. After probe to tissue contact is made, the user interface monitors pressure feedback from the tip of the optical probe, facilitating data collection at the desired contact pressure. This is important because tissue physiology is strongly affected by contact pressure.

Working with research partners at Duke University, Roswell Cancer Institute, and elsewhere, the Zenascope has proven to effectively measure significant endpoints in biological tissue, including: hemoglobin concentration, oxygen saturation, cell density and any other endpoints of interest that absorb white light.  The company’s research partners are working on applications involving detection of cancer as well monitoring response to therapy.

“Our collaborative work on biological tissue endpoint monitoring has conclusively demonstrated the need to maintain specific target pressure ranges in these measurements. For example, measurements on cancer tumors are pressure dependent,” explained Jesko von Windheim, CEO of Zenalux. “Eliminating variations in pressure ensures that our customers will get consistent measurement accuracy. This feature is one of several capability enhancements for the Zenascope as we further develop the system.”

The Zenascope PC1, an ultraviolet-visible spectrometer that achieves quantitative optical spectroscopy in turbid media, uses standard spectroscopic measurement hardware, proprietary software, and patented algorithms to achieve rapid, quantitative, and non-destructive analysis of biological tissue characteristics (biomarkers) that reflect the underlying function and composition of biological tissue.

The specialized, real-time, diagnostic device shines white light on opaque target media and then measures and analyzes the reflected signal. The system achieves rapid, quantitative, and non-destructive analysis of the following biological endpoints: oxy-hemoglobin concentration ([HBO2]); deoxy-hemoglobin concentration ([HHb]); total hemoglobin concentration (THC); blood saturation (SO2); and scatterer size and density.  Through its Research Partnership Program, Zenalux is working with a host of collaborators to add additional endpoints and develop numerous applications for the Zenascope™.

Current applications under investigation for the Zenascope system include accelerating feedback in drug discovery; breast tumor margin assessment; assessment of response to cancer therapy; and screening and diagnostic applications in breast, cervical, and head and neck cancer.

Zenascope is currently designated for investigational purposes only. Interested organizations can contact Zenalux at info@zenalux.com or 919-794-5757 x504.

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 (such as 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 www.zenalux.com.