Non-Invasive Early-Detection Test for Breast Cancer

Project Number:
ANG-01-07
Patent Number:
6,077,228
Inventor:
The technology is from the research of Milton Schonberger of Angioscan Corporation.
Description:
The patented breast cancer detection device, Early Breastest™, is based on the fact that cancerous tumors rely upon angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels to feed and nourish the tumor, in order to grow and spread. The patient is given an ice pack to hold, causing automatic constriction of blood vessels. Angiogenic blood vessels that feed tumors do not constrict and therefore do not cool down, as do normal vessels. The device records very small changes in temperature in the breast tissue; foci containing cancerous tissue resist changes in temperature. Adhesive pads, each containing hundreds of embedded thermistors, micro-sensors, are applied to each breast to wirelessly transmit information to a computer from multiple regions of the breast tissue. A two-cycle reading distinguishes between tumors and harmless cyst growths. More than 36,000 separate readings sent to the computer are used for analysis, generating a printout for diagnosis and referral for any necessary follow-up biopsy, digital mammogram or MRI.
Advantages:

Tests performed with a prototype device have shown that the technology has the potential to be precise, regardless of the physiology of the patient, and can identify a cancerous tumor ahead of other methods such as a mammogram, enabling earlier, possibly life-saving, intervention and treatment. The tight array of hundreds of small, extremely low thermal mass thermistors provides better dynamic thermo-graphic sensitivity and resolution enabling more accurate reading and results.

The test can be administered frequently, especially important in cases of genetic or familial predisposition, because it does not involve any harmful radiation. The test can be safely repeated as necessary because it is non-invasive and can be cost-effectively performed in a doctor's office or at home. The procedure requires very little equipment or technical support.

The visual interpretation is supported by a computer analysis, which makes a determination of whether or not angiogenesis is present.

Applications:

The technology has applications with companies that are seeking non-invasive medical diagnostic technologies especially those with the potential for use via remote monitoring.

Potential market opportunities include pharmaceutical companies developing breast cancer therapies, companies with potential strategic interests that are current suppliers of: radiographic diagnostic mammography units, angiographic units, infrared thermometers and thermography devices, thermistor devices, breast cancer detection kits, ultrasonic breast cancer scanners and mammary tumor spectroscopes. Revenue streams can be generated from disposables, data communication devices, and data acquisition platforms and related algorithms.

For more information please contact:

Joseph P. Ausikaitis
Business Development Consultant
Competitive Technologies, Inc.
This email address is protected, Javascript must be enabled to view it
Tel: 203.368.6044