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ART Advanced Research Technologies is Granted Key Patent for Imaging of Breast Physiology
Thursday, November 01, 2007
New U.S. patent for optimal selection of SoftScan® optical wavelengths strengthens patent portfolio
Montreal, Canada -- ART Advanced Research Technologies Inc. ("ART") (TSX:ARA), a Canadian medical device company and a leader in optical molecular imaging products for the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries, is pleased to announce that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued to ART patent number 7,286,869 entitled "Choice of wavelengths for multi-wavelength optical imaging". The use of this method within an optical medical imaging device allows significant improvement in the recovery of precise images of the physiological components. These components are used to provide indications for diagnosis and treatment monitoring of cancer in the ART SoftScan® optical breast imaging system.
"Our already extensive IP portfolio is being further enhanced with such an important patent, which is key in retaining our technological leadership in the optical imaging industry segment," said Sebastien Gignac, ART's President and CEO.
The present invention provides an objective method for choosing the wavelengths for a multi-wavelength TPSF or CW-based optical imaging system. The patent also allows for the optimization of other parameters of the system other than wavelengths and can be applied to optical absorption spectroscopy in general.
About the SoftScan® system
The SoftScan® optical breast imaging system has been designed first as a complementary diagnostic tool to mammography, with ultimate uses in the detection and treatment monitoring of breast cancer. Its non-invasive, painless approach uses time-domain optical imaging technology, which may allow clinicians to better locate and characterize breast tumors as benign or malignant and could provide faster assessment of therapeutic effectiveness. Unlike mammography whose use must be strictly limited, the SoftScan system emits no radiation and can be safely used as often as needed to monitor patients. The device was created and developed by ART Advanced Research Technologies Inc., and has obtained regulatory approvals for its commercialization in Canada and in Europe.
About ART
ART Advanced Research Technologies Inc. is a leader in molecular imaging products for the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. ART has developed products in medical imaging, medical diagnostics, disease research, and drug discovery with the goal of bringing new and better treatments to patients faster. The Optix® optical molecular imaging system, designed for monitoring physiological changes in living systems at the preclinical study phases of new drugs, is used by industry and academic leaders worldwide. The SoftScan® optical medical imaging device is designed to improve the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. ART is commercializing these products in a global strategic alliance with GE Healthcare, a world leader in mammography and imaging. Finally, the Fenestra® line of molecular imaging contrast products provide image enhancement for a wide range of preclinical Micro CT applications allowing scientists to see greater detail in their imaging studies, with potential extension into other major imaging modalities. ART's shares are listed on the TSX under the ticker symbol ARA. For more information on ART, visit our website at www.art.ca.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties that would cause actual events to differ materially from expectations. These risks and uncertainties are described in the most recent Annual Information Form and the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2006, available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com).
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