BURLINGTON, Mass., Oct. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Tomophase Corporation announced today that it will display the first cross-sectional images of excised human bronchial tissue using their patented optical coherence tomography ("OCT") system at the CHEST meeting in Chicago, October 22nd through October 24th. The images were captured using the Tomophase OCT system as part of an ongoing research collaboration with Dr. Armin Ernst, Director of Interventional Pulmonology, at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts.

    The investigational Tomophase OCT system is designed to enable the interventional pulmonologist to clearly visualize sub-epithelial tissue structures in the airway. The system, which is not FDA approved, utilizes a near-infrared emitting probe in a catheter which is integrated with a conventional video bronchoscope. The images captured by the research team at Beth Israel are from ex vivo human bronchial tissue. During the next several months the Company plans to further this work in real-time in vivo clinical studies.

    "Our goal at Tomophase is to use our proprietary optical technology to help clinicians image subsurface tissue at a level of resolution currently unavailable, while not exposing the patient to potentially harmful radiation, UV light or contrast agents," commented Dr. Peter Norris, CEO of Tomophase. "We believe this research collaboration with Beth Israel Deaconess is an important first step in the introduction of this breakthrough technology into both the research and clinical settings."

    "The initial imaging results from the Tomophase OCT system appear to show remarkable clarity at greater tissue depths than other existing optical imaging technologies," commented Dr. Ernst. "As such, it may ultimately prove useful to clinicians in the enhanced evaluation of various pulmonary disease states. High-resolution OCT technology may also have the potential to provide real-time image evaluation of drug/tissue interactions. This ability may provide new insight regarding the treatment of pulmonary conditions such as asthma and COPD."

    About Tomophase Corporation

    Tomophase Corporation is a private company founded in 2003 based on proprietary technology innovations in the field of optical coherence tomography and its use to image tissue at high resolution. With Tomophase OCT, researchers and clinicians can observe tissue structure within 2-3 mm of the surface without the use of radiation, UV light or image contrast agents. Tomophase is pursuing the first application of its technology in pulmonary medicine for the visualization of airways. Future development areas include respiratory therapy development, lung cancer management and surgical guidance.

    More information on Tomophase Corporation can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.tomophase.com.

    For further information: Dr. Peter Norris, CEO Tomophase Corporation P: (781) 229-5700 E: pnorris@tompohase.com

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    Source: Tomophase Corporation