Mr. Jim Hutchens reports
IMAGIN'S i/BLUE IMAGING SYTEM PROTOTYPE REDESIGN BEGINS
Imagin Medical Inc.'s optical product-design firm, Optel Inc.,
will begin the redesign of the i/Blue imaging system
prototype for manufacturability and commercialization. The redesign will be concurrent with the
first in-human research study using the i/Blue prototype that is anticipated to begin shortly at the
University of Rochester Medical Center.
With its unique expertise in the manufacture and miniaturization of optical systems, Optel
integrates optics, mechanics, electronics, and software into user-friendly, cost-effective products.
Optel will work with Imagin to bring the alpha prototype of its state-of-the-art, optics-based i/Blue
imaging system through three phases of development: proof of concept, functional unit, and the
redesigned verified unit ready for manufacturing.
The i/Blue system will be a mobile device, 70 per cent smaller than the current prototype that can be
easily moved between operating rooms and physicians' offices. First proof-of-concept product
samples are expected to be available late in the calendar first quarter of 2018. The device will
be highly manufacturable and cost effective, with a modular design that will be the basic platform
for Imagin's i/Blue imaging system to expand from bladder cancer detection to other minimally
invasive surgical procedures requiring improved visualization.
The i/Blue imaging system is highly sensitive and is estimated to be greater than 100 times more
precise than currently available systems. It is expected to highlight cancer lesions and put the
cancer in context in less than 10 minutes, compared with the current standard of one hour. It is
anticipated this procedure will be more comprehensive, improve outcomes, and expand the
market. Early detection may reduce the recurrence of bladder cancer.
Jay Eastman, Optel's founder, received his BS and PhD at the Institute of Optics at the
University of Rochester. He previously held positions as the Omega laser system project
manager, and director of the Laboratory of Laser Energetics (LLE), where development of the
i/Blue imaging system alpha prototype was completed. Dr. Eastman commented, "Combining our
electronics-design expertise with the fact that the i/Blue prototype was developed at Rochester's
LLE and will be tested in the operating rooms at the University of Rochester Medical Center will
greatly facilitate rapid product development."
Critical to Imagin Medical, Optel will ensure that the i/Blue imaging system will be in compliance
with the requirements of the Food and Drug Administration, good manufacturing practices (GMP), European medical
device standard ISO 13485, and other international compliance requirements.
"With the urology community looking for improved bladder-cancer detection, this is an exciting
time as the human research study begins and the product redesign is underway," said Jim
Hutchens, Imagin's president and chief executive officer.
About Imagin Medical Inc.
Imagin Medical is developing imaging solutions for minimally invasive surgical procedures where endoscopes are used. The company believes it will radically improve the way physicians detect cancer and view the surgical field. Imagin's initial target market is bladder cancer, a major cancer worldwide, the sixth-most prevalent in the United States, and the most costly cancer to treat due to a greater than 50-per-cent recurrence rate. The ultrasensitive imaging technology is based upon improved optical designs and advanced light sensors.
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