LumaMed ::: LumaScan | Image Guided Surgery

LumaMed provides revolutionary cancer visualization devices that enable “real time” and “wide field” imaging of cancer margins during surgery. Our approach is based on “Polarization Subtraction Imaging” (PSI), a novel patented technology that provides rapid, intra-operative digital imaging of the surface of tissue excised during cancer surgery. The resolution of images produced rival those obtained from histopathology in recognizing features characteristic of cancer and normal tissue. PSI uses non-ionizing visible light and is safe for use in the operating room. This ability to see the cancer margins in an intra-operative setting has enormous value in areas where tissue conservation is critical, such as in breast cancer, Mohs surgery for skin cancer as well as in head & neck cancers. Real time margin control will also allow for comprehensive treatment thereby reducing or removing the need for repeat procedures.

LumaScan™

LumaScan™ is a table top scanner/imager for intraoperative imaging in Breast Conservation Surgery (BCS). Over 30% of all BCS procedures result in positive excision margins as determined by post-surgery pathology which requires repeat surgeries at a cost of $8,000 to $10,000. Following tumor excision, our device will be used to image the tumor’s exterior for signs of surface cancers in the operating room. By examining these images, the surgeon or pathologist can quickly make a better decision as to whether all the cancer has been removed. Where positive margins are found additional tissue can be removed as needed during the same procedure thus avoiding repeat surgeries. Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer death among women worldwide and second only to lung cancer in the US. More than 207,000 women and about 2,000 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year and about 40,000 will die from it.

We also plan a hand held version of LumaScan for Mohs surgeons (specialty dermatologist/pathologists) who conduct up to 750,000 surgeries a year to remove complex or large cancers in a slow and painstaking process involving frozen section pathology. Mohs is well reimbursed but time intensive. We believe our device could shorten this procedure by as much as 2 hours allowing increased patient throughput, improved physician profitability, and patient satisfaction.

Testimonial

“LumaMed’s technology has the potential to greatly improve cancer treatment outcomes by allowing the physician to clearly visualize tumor margins not apparent to the naked eye during surgery. Following its immediate applications for skin cancer, this technology could potentially find application in many other settings of cancer surgery."

R. Rox Anderson, M.D, Wellman Labs, Massachussets General Hospital. For more information on Dr. Anderson, click here.