Portable X-ray for Medical Imaging could soon be a Reality

Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) recently developed a portable X-ray source using carbon nanostructures, paving the way for X-ray nondestructive examination using dry batteries as a power source. 

According to the report, Ryoichi Suzuki (Leader), the Advanced Defect-Characterization Research Group, the Research Institute of Instrumentation Frontier (Director: Yoshio Akimune) of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) (President: Hiroyuki Yoshikawa), In cooperation with Dialight Japan Co., Ltd. (President: Masanori Haba) and Life Technology Research Institute, Inc. (President: Yoshihisa Ishiguro), has developed practical portable X-ray sources with a cold-cathode electron source using carbon nanostructures.

Main Body of the Developed X-ray Source. Photo from AIST.

The X-ray sources use carbon nanostructures as field-emission electron sources. Due to the absence of a heater or a filament, it can promptly generate X-rays whenever required and does not require preheating. In addition, energy is consumed only while X-rays are being generated, allowing X-rays with an energy of more than 100 keV (the level needed in nondestructive inspection or medical diagnostics) can be generated from dry batteries or a USB power source.  The report also mentions that “the technology also is applicable to an electron beam with a power of more than 10 kW generating X-rays for ultrahigh-speed imaging, which contributes to new applications that require ultra-rapid X-ray inspection.”

Setup for X-ray transmission imaging using a portable X-ray source. Photo from AIST.

According to the report, the developed X-ray tube with a high-voltage power source can be hand-carried in a case, and used to generate X-rays on site.  The photo from AIST on the top shows the setup for X-ray transmission imaging using a low-power model of portable X-ray tube housed in a small case (measuring 37 cm × 13 cm × 35 cm) together with a power source.  This X-ray source can be used in nondestructive inspection and medical diagnostics in the same way as a conventional hot-cathode X-ray source.  The portable X-ray source is convenient to use because it eliminates warm-up time, a big issue for conventional hot-cathode X-ray tubes, and generate X-rays promptly whenever needed. We could really see the applications of a portable X-ray for use in outdoor medical field like helping refugees and for medical emergency use after a natural disaster like an earthquake and a tsunami. 

Scehmatic Diagram showing how the X-ray tubes work. Picture from AIST.

Polartechnics looks to Shareholders to Raise Funds

Polartechnics, the Australian manufacturer of diagnostic kits for cervical cancer and melanoma, announced yesterday that it will launch a Share Purchase Plan (SPP) in February 2009 to present shareholders of the company, entitling them to acquire additional parcels of ordinary fully paid shares in the company. Under the plan, each eligible shareholder, irrespective of their current size of shares held, will be to purchase up to A$5,00o worth of new Polartechnics ordinary shares. Issue price for shares offered under the scheme will be A$0.11 per share, representing a 19.94% discount to the average traded market price recorded between 16th to 20th February 2009.

“We have overcome the challenges from scaling up our manufacturing to full production capacity putting us in a strong position to meet our sales forecasts for TruScreen. Additionally we have signed major distribution agreements for our new self-sampling products,” said Polartechnics Chairman, Robert Hunter.

According to the press release from the company, funds from the SPP will be funneled as working capital and for the continued expansion that will help the company distribute their products in a greater number of markets.

China Medical Technology sells HIFU unit to Major Shareholder

It was reported that China Medical Technologies is selling its High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) tumor therapy system business to Chengxuan International, its major shareholder for $53.5 million in cash. Chengxuan is owned by Mr. Xiaodong Wu, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the China Medical Technologies.

China Medical Technologies' HIFU System. Picture from China Medical Technologies.

According to China Medical, the HIFU business is said to differ from the company’s current focus in the development of advanced IVD businesses. The business unit, which primarily sells high-end HIFU equipment, is seasonal and volatile and required large capital infusions required to obtain US and EU regulatory approvals. In addition, China Medical has also cited the current conditions in the global financial markets for selling its HIFU business.

The proceeds from the sale will go towards research and development of China Medical’s existing advanced in-vitro diagnostics (IVD) businesses so as to generate recurring and increasing revenues. China Medical Technologies IVD offerings includes the Enhanced Chemiluminescence Immunoassay (ECLIA) System and the Fluorescent in situ Hybridization (FISH) Probes and FISH Imaging Analysis System.

Mr Sam Tsang, Director and CFO, China Medical Technologies said that the company will now be completely focused on expanding our leading position in the advanced IVD sector in China. He also mentioned that this transaction will strengthen China Medical’s financial position, further enhancing the company’s ability to capitalize on the opportunities within the molecular diagnostics industry in China.

On a side note, the company also reported reported revenues of RMB290.5 million (US$42.8 million) for 2Q FY2008, representing a 35.2% increase from the corresponding period of FY2007. Net income, meanwhile was RMB117.7 million (US$17.3 million) for 2Q FY2008, representing a 52.1% increase from the corresponding period of FY2007, as gross margin increased to 73.2% for 2Q FY2008 from 61.5% for the corresponding period of FY2007. China Medical Technologies attributed the increase in gross margin to the change in revenue mix where a substantial portion of revenues was generated from recurring sales of higher margin ECLIA reagent kits and FISH probes.

HealthLinx and ARL Pathology rolls out Early Stage Test for Ovarian Cancer

HealthLinx, an Australian emerging biomarker and diagnostic company will work with along with Analytical Reference Laboratories Pty Ltd (ARL Pathology), to start the commercial launch of OvPlex™, billed as the world’s first early stage detection test for ovarian cancer.

OvPlex™ will initially be made available through ARL Pathology who are based in Melbourne, Victoria and gradually expanded to other states within Australia. According to the information on its website, OvPlex is a diagnotic test that utilizes 5 biomarkers within the blood to detect ovarian cancer in women. In addition, it adds that research documentation shows that future trends in oncology diagnostics will incorporate more than a single marker to increase sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing a particular disease.

HealthLinx also mentions in its press release that up to 1,500 Australian women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer annually and more than 800 of these cases will prove fatal. Globally, 230,000 cases are diagnosed every year and more than 142,000 deaths would result from ovarian cancer.

Professor Greg Rice, Chairman of HealthLinx, mentions that the high death count from ovarian cancer makes it one of the most fatal amongst reproductive tract cancers and this results up to 75% of female patients being diagnosed with ovarian cancer only when they are at the later stages. As such, survival rates within 5 years from diagnosis for such cases are in the range of 20-30%. Early stage detection would boost the survival rates within 5 years to 80%.

Mr Nick Gatsios, Managing Director of HealthLinx, summarized this development by saying, “This is a medical milestone in women’s health. It changes HealthLinx into a diagnostic developer and product sales company.”

Thailand Commercializes Indigenously Developed Microtube Gel Test Kit

Thailand’s National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) signed an MOU with Khon Kaen University and Innov (Thailand) Co. Ltd. to license the locally developed microtube gel test kit for manufacturing and commercialization.

A protoype of the kit was developed by a team of researchers led by Assoc. Prof. Amornrat Romphruk from the Faculty of Medicine in Khon Kaen University. The research was supported by a grant from Thailand’s National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) back in 2004. This prototype has been successfully tested at Srinagarind Hospital in Khon Kaen and is deemed ready for mass production. In a press release by BIOTEC, the microtube gel test kit is used in a broad range of blood banking applications, with the more common one being antibody screening and identification of blood groupings.

Sample of Microtube Gel Test Kit, dubbed the BB Gel Test. Pictures from BIOTEC, a member of NSTDA.

Thailand’s first effective low-cost microtube gel test, the BB Gel Test will work on the principle of controlled centrifugation of red blood cells through a dextran-acrylamide-gel. The benefit of the gel microtubes is that it is accurate and the results can be saved for later supervisory or peer review. The most important aspects of BB Gel Test is that it is effective and economical available for hospitals in developing countries. This successful research project was initiated by the government in order to ease the burden on local hospitals who have to fork out between THB 1.7 – 2.0 million (US$ 49,700  – 58,500) to test every 100,000 blood samples using imported products. The new test kit has been licensed through Innov (Thailand) Co. Ltd. for local manufacturing and distribution and has also been targeted for sale in neighbouring countries.

China Medical Technology purchases HPV Biosensor Chip System

Beijing-based and NASDAQ-listed China Medical Technologies will buy a Human Papillomavirus (HPV) detection system as well as a Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) based analysis system for a total consideration of US$ 345 million in cash installments from Molecular Diagnostics Technologies.

The press release from China Medical states that the HPV-DNA biosensor chip is a label-free DNA chip for the diagnosis of HPV infection and genotyping of HPV. The DNA chip will be able to detect up to 24 common strains of HPV, including being able to detect those strains that can cause genital warts and cervical cancer. Meanwhile, the SPR system is a leading biosensor technology used to analyze the data on the DNA chip, and have been applied in various clinical diagnostic purposes, such as the detection of biomarkers related to infectious diseases, cancers, cardiovascular and immune system disorders. By using the HPV-DNA Biosensor Chip to detect presence of HPV, and combining this with an analysis using the SPR system, scanning of patients can be done more effectively and efficiently within a shorter time span.

The company said about 50 million HPV-related gynecological tests are done in China every year, and about 120 million women should receive cervical cancer tests. It is also expected that the purchased technology will help to generate US$ 23.6 -26.5 million of revenues for China Medical Technologies each year starting from 2009, and that gross profit margin will stand at an estimated 80 percent. The deal is expected to be closed in December 2008 or January 2009, with the final installment payment to be made a year later.

US Patent for Molecular Toxicology awarded to Ocimum Biosolutions

Hyderabad-based, Ocimum Biosolutions, a leading integrated genomics company based in India has been awarded US patent No US 7,415,358 B2 entitled ‘Molecular toxicology modeling’. The patent describes elucidation of the global changes in gene expression and identification of toxicity markers in tissues or cells exposed to a known renal toxin. This invention covers a database of genes characterized by toxin-induced differential expression that is designed for use with microarrays and other solid phase probes. The genes have applications as toxicity markers in drug screening and toxicity assays. 

Chief Executive Office of Ocimum Biosolutions, Anu Acharya, commented that the company consistently been in the forefront of Genomics Innovation over many years and that this patent has reinforce their objective of continuing to be a leading player in the area of integrated genomics. The CEO also added that Ocimum will continue to pour in resources in areas like Genotyping, Gene Expression, PCR and other data validation methods so as to provide the latest technologies for their pharmaceutical and biotech clients.

The patent granted to Ocimum is expected to increase the company’s prestige in the areas of pharmaceutical outsourcing.

Uscom’s Patent for Measurement of Oxygen Delivery

Press release from Australia-based Uscom mentioned that the company has received its US patent no 7338447, the method for combining blood flow measurement (USCOM) with oximetry to provide a noninvasive measure of the amount of oxygen being delivered to the cells of the body. With the granting of the US patent, it provides IP protection for the Oxycom device, the second product to be launched by this medical device company, after the USCOM 1A Hemodynamic Monitor.

The USCOM 1A Hemodynamic Monitor. Picture from Uscom Ltd.

With medical devices going non-invasive, the Oxycom is considered to be a first, by being able to capture accurate and non-invasive measurement of oxygen delivery to patients under critical care. According to Uscom, the device has applications in Paediatrics, Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine, and Anaesthesia.

The patent author and Chairman of Uscom Ltd, Rob Phillips said “Oxygen delivery is a critical measure of the effectiveness of the circulation, and reflects the severity of cardiovascular disease. The new Oxycom product, currently in testing, provides this information non-invasively and beat to beat; a first in the world of physiology and medicine.” For more on Uscom and its latest product offering, please visit their website.

ApexBio launches Blood Glucose Monitoring Device that Talks

Taiwan-based ApexBio has made further innovations to their range of blood glucose meters by adding a speech function. That is, these little nifty devices meant to monitor glucose levels for diabetic patients will provide the blood glucose level in 2 languages. This device will definitely aid visually impaired patients and improve the experience of self monitoring blood glucose levels for ageing patients who live alone.

Picture from ApexBio

However, ‘talking’ blood glucose meters have its fair share of troubles like older devices which have incidents of reading out the wrong measurement levels, which might thus result in erroneous monitoring. Being one of the smaller companies manufacturing blood glucose meters, it has yet to be seen how ApexBio will be able to provide better satisfaction for its customers.

Thailand develops rapid test kit for white leaf disease

The National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) of Thailand and Mitr Phol Research and Development Center, a progressive research and development arm of the Mitr Phol Sugar Group claim to have developed world’s first White Leaf Sugarcane Rapid Test Kit for the sugarcane plantation. The technology is expected to help reduce the amount of financial loss to the sugarcane sector as a result of white leaf disease, which is estimated at $30 million per year.

Picture from Mitr Phol

According to Dr Morakot Tanticharoen, BIOTEC senior advisor (member of NSTDA), Thailand is one of the major producers of sugar for the global market. Therefore, it is necessary for the national Agricultural and Food Cluster to give serious consideration to helping maintain this status quo. The joint collaboration with Mitr Phol R&D Center provides an opportunity to better understand the need of the sugar industry. “We will continue to collaborate to explore and improve other options for white leaf disease eradication such as breeding technology to build disease resistance,” added Dr Tanticharoen.

“White leaf disease is often compared to cancer or HIV virus in human. You never know if or when you will contract it, until it is often too late,” said Dr Pipat Weerathaworn, R&D Director for Mitr Phol Sugarcane Research Cente in Chaiyaphum province. “The rapid test kit is very efficient as it only take ten minutes to detect if the sugarcane plant has the disease or not.”

The rapid test kit is expected to go on sale locally prior to the end of 2008 and will also target overseas clients. Initial introduction to clients in India was very positive. The technology has been transferred to Innova Biotechnology of Thailand for mass manufacturing.