SpectRx gets patents for non-invasive cervical cancer detection device

By Ted A. Knutson

Washington, Dec. 13 - SpectRx, Inc. announced on Tuesday it was granted a patent for the method in which its non-invasive cervical cancer detection technology identifies disease.

U.S. patent 6,975,899 recognizes that the technology measures both biochemical and structural changes in tissue in order to better detect diseases such as cancer.

The device, which is undergoing Food and Drug Administration clinical trials, uses proprietary technology to identify cancers and precancers painlessly and non-invasively by analyzing light reflected from the cervix.

It creates an image of the cervix that highlights the location and severity of disease. The technology distinguishes between normal and diseased tissue by detecting biochemical and morphological changes at the cellular level. Unlike Pap tests, the non-invasive test does not require a tissue sample or laboratory analysis.

"This patent is an important and fundamental part of our detection technology intellectual property," said Mark Faupel, president and chief operating officer of Guided Therapeutics Inc., the SpectRx subsidiary formed to commercialize the device, in a news release. "This unique technology looks not only for cellular abnormalities, but also biochemical markers that indicate the presence of disease.

"We believe that these two technologies used in tandem represent a powerful new tool in the fight against cervical and other cancers."

The patent claims the combined use of at least two spectroscopic methods for measuring biochemical and morphological, or structural, changes that occur with diseases such as cancer. The biochemical spectroscopic methods claimed include fluorescence, time resolved fluorescence and fluorescence anisotropy.

The morphological spectroscopic methods include absorption, reflectance and polarized reflectance. The patent further claims the combining of spectroscopic measurements with the results of previous testing of the tissue including visual examination, cytology and other indicators of pathology.

To date, more than 1,600 women have been tested with prototypes of the non-invasive cervical cancer detection devices. Research and commercialization of a product are being funded in part by grants from the National Cancer Institute.

According to published reports, cervical cancer is the third most common cancer among women worldwide. About 60 million Pap tests are performed annually in the United States.

The company estimates the annual global market potential for a non-invasive cervical cancer test to be more than $1.3 billion.

Norcross, Ga-based SpectRx is a diabetes management company developing and providing innovative solutions for insulin delivery and glucose monitoring.

The announcement was made in an 8-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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