In May 2008, Dr. Patrick Serruys at the Thoraxcenter (Rotterdam, Netherlands) became the first to use Volcano's optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging catheter in a human procedure. "We believe that OCT has the potential to identify thin-cap fibro-atheromas, clearly highlight intraluminal thrombus, and assess the complete healing of novel drug-eluting stent designs," said Michel Lussier, president of Volcano Europe.
In May 2008, Dr. Patrick Serruys at the Thoraxcenter (Rotterdam, Netherlands) became the first to use Volcano's optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging catheter in a human procedure. "We believe that OCT has the potential to identify thin-cap fibro-atheromas, clearly highlight intraluminal thrombus, and assess the complete healing of novel drug-eluting stent designs,” said Michel Lussier, president of Volcano Europe.
And even more recently, Axsun Technologies, which develops and manufactures photonic components and subsystems, announced its entry into a multi-million dollar volume purchasing agreement with LightLab Imaging, maker of OCT systems. Under the multi-year exclusive deal, Axsun will provide advanced tunable lasers for LightLab's next generation cardiac OCT imaging system.
Although the first commercial application of OCT -- ophthalmology -- is expected to remain dominant through 2011 (according the report Optical Coherence Tomography -- Technology, Markets, and Applications: 2008-2012,), it’s clear that application to cardiology is making important strides. So are other applications, including dentistry. In fact, in April, Axsun made an agreement with Lantis Laser to incorporate Axsun's patented swept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT) technology into Lantis' dental imaging systems.
OCT holds promise as well for applications such as cancer detection and dermatology. We recently explored the technology and its life sciences applications in a webcast that is now available for on-demand review. If you’d like insight from doctors pioneering in this arena, check out “Practical applications of OCT,” presented by luminaries Dr. Joseph Izatt, Dr. Stephen Boppart, and Dr. Sanjay Asrani -- who fielded questions from audience members.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Life-sci lessons from LASIK
News that the FDA has cleared Advanced Medical Optics' new iFS Advanced Femtosecond Laser for eye surgery caught my attention because most of the recent news that mentions both FDA and eye surgery involves contention over LASIK, the technology that’s helped scores of people see clearly without glasses or contacts. The dispute centers, of course, not on the remarkable successes -- but on the small percentage of failures.
News that the FDA has cleared Advanced Medical Optics' new iFS Advanced Femtosecond Laser for eye surgery caught my attention because most of the recent news that mentions both FDA and eye surgery involves contention over LASIK, the technology that’s helped scores of people see clearly without glasses or contacts. The dispute centers, of course, not on the remarkable successes -- but on the small percentage of failures.
The debate reminds us that all technology is a double-edged sword. Automobiles are a leading cause of death, but on the whole their advantages outweigh their risks. Thankfully, work has already begun to mitigate LASIK surgery risk. Soon after the controversy began, BioOptics World reported on the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery’s (ASCRS) decision to participate in a post-LASIK quality of life study with the Joint LASIK Study Task Force, which also includes the FDA, the National Eye Institute, and the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The American Academy of Ophthalmology’s board of trustees approved a proposal to co-fund the FDA driven study, and the ASCRS Foundation likewise committed funds to support it.
Daniel Schultz, head of the FDA's medical devices center, has said that identifying why complications occurred would help those considering LASIK make more educated choices. Studying these patients is “very, very high on the agency's priority list,” he stated.
Meanwhile, FDA advisers recommended revising the discussion of LASIK on the agency's Web site to make clear the risks, and suggested similarly rewording brochures given to patient-candidates.
Vision correction centers such as Toronto’s Herzig Eye Institute are likewise joining the effort. The institute has developed The Patient Guide to Custom Vision Correction to help patients understand and compare treatment options.
Stay tuned as BioOptics World follows this story -- and the effects of its outcome on the use of laser-based technologies for life sciences work.
News that the FDA has cleared Advanced Medical Optics' new iFS Advanced Femtosecond Laser for eye surgery caught my attention because most of the recent news that mentions both FDA and eye surgery involves contention over LASIK, the technology that’s helped scores of people see clearly without glasses or contacts. The dispute centers, of course, not on the remarkable successes -- but on the small percentage of failures.
The debate reminds us that all technology is a double-edged sword. Automobiles are a leading cause of death, but on the whole their advantages outweigh their risks. Thankfully, work has already begun to mitigate LASIK surgery risk. Soon after the controversy began, BioOptics World reported on the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery’s (ASCRS) decision to participate in a post-LASIK quality of life study with the Joint LASIK Study Task Force, which also includes the FDA, the National Eye Institute, and the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The American Academy of Ophthalmology’s board of trustees approved a proposal to co-fund the FDA driven study, and the ASCRS Foundation likewise committed funds to support it.
Daniel Schultz, head of the FDA's medical devices center, has said that identifying why complications occurred would help those considering LASIK make more educated choices. Studying these patients is “very, very high on the agency's priority list,” he stated.
Meanwhile, FDA advisers recommended revising the discussion of LASIK on the agency's Web site to make clear the risks, and suggested similarly rewording brochures given to patient-candidates.
Vision correction centers such as Toronto’s Herzig Eye Institute are likewise joining the effort. The institute has developed The Patient Guide to Custom Vision Correction to help patients understand and compare treatment options.
Stay tuned as BioOptics World follows this story -- and the effects of its outcome on the use of laser-based technologies for life sciences work.
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