BIO 2008: Optiscan rolls out endoscope

Melbourne device manufacturer Optiscan will install its microendoscope in three Australian hospitals as well as the prestigious Johns Hopkins Hospital in the US.

The deals were announced by Australian Minister for Innovation, Senator Kim Carr, at the BIO conference in San Diego. Carr is leading the Australian delegation at the conference.

The Optiscan endomicroscope, which the company says offers magnifications of 1000 times compared to the 30 to 40 times achievable with traditional endoscopy, will be used at Melbourne's Western Hospital, Box Hill Hospital and the Monash Medical Centre.

Up to 30 other hospitals throughout the world will also use the device.

It is primarily for the detection and diagnosis of cancers - particularly oesophageal cancer, and gastrointestinal diseases such as colitis, gastritis and coeliac's disease.

"This is also a breakthrough in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal disease in children, because it can provide diagnosis and treatment in the one visit in some cases - rather than the child having to endure separate surgical procedures for a biopsy and treatment," Carr said.

"Gastroenterologists will be able to detect ulcerative lesions, cancerous cells, or even spot the spiral cells of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori that cause stomach ulcers."

Optiscan has also announced it has raised $3 million to launch two new products to the market.