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W. YARMOUTH, Mass.--(BW HealthWire)--Jan. 15, 1998--Rare Earth Medical, Inc., W. Yarmouth, MA has received notice from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office of allowed patent claims for its platform technology, Lightstic fiber optic laser diffusing devices. The patent is titled ``Phototherapy Methods and Apparatus'' and protects the FDA cleared Lightstic 360 and Lightstic 180 configurations.. The company's intellectual property portfolio is now approaching 30 U.S. and foreign patents.
The Lightstic diffusing device is a disposable medical product that delivers and uniformly diffuses laser energy to virtually any part of the human anatomy, including difficult to reach organs and vessels. Lightstic devices allow physicians to perform a variety of medical therapies designed to treat cancer, benign diseases and cardiovascular disease, in less time and with potentially greater efficacy.
The recently allowed claims protect both the Lightstic apparatus and the method of use. The proprietary design allows the company to cost effectively produce devices that diffuse the laser energy with greater uniformity than previously thought possible. In addition, the process allows the production of a wider range of flexible, highly uniform diffusers than available with other processes. Rare Earth Medical's range includes the thinnest diffusing device in the world (less than 0.4 mm in diameter) and the world's longest diffusing device (100 mm long).
Several of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies with photodynamic therapy (PDT) drug development programs have named the company's Lightstic diffusers in their clinical trial protocols. These clinical trials include treating various forms of cancer and heart disease. Rare Earth Medical has partnered with Laserscope, a worldwide leader in the sale and service of innovative medical products, to supply this rapidly emerging market with the Rare Earth Medical high performance, low cost devices.
Edward Sinofsky, Ph.D., CEO, founder of the company, and inventor named in the patent, stated ``I am particularly excited about this allowance. These devices will be the foundation of a group of products that will enable doctors to treat cancers and cardiovascular disease and other medical conditions, less invasively and more cost effectively. Rare Earth Medical is committed to fully exploiting the therapeutic opportunities that Lightstic diffusers present and to being the leading supplier of diffusing devices for various strategic applications.'' Dr. Sinofsky added, ``It is interesting to note that all previous diffusing device patents defined ''uniformity`` of energy diffusion as +/- 30% over the diffusing region. Our recently allowed claims call for uniformity of <+/- 20%. In fact, Lightstics are typically +/- 7% in uniformity.''
Rare Earth Medical, Inc. is the leading developer of minimally invasive fiberoptic systems for photodynamic, photochemical, photothermal and dosimetry detection applications. The Company's unique products have potential uses in a number of medical specialties, including oncology, urology, cardiology, electrophysiology, and gynecology. Rare Earth Medical's laser diffusing devices are unique with regards to uniform distribution of laser energy, range of device geometries, power handling capabilities, and flexibility.
Rare Earth Medical
Sean M. Gallagher, 508/790-9594
| Related News Categories: biotech, medical/pharmaceutical |
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