Visiomed receives TGA approval for MicroDERM Hair

Perth-based devices company Visiomed (ASX:VSG), formerly known as Xcell Diagnostics, has received TGA approval for a hair analysis system which uses the same computerised image analysis platform technology as its skin cancer diagnostic system.

The new system, MicroDERM Hair, replaces the trichograph system used by dermatologists and hair treatment centres -- a procedure that requires a patch of hair to be pulled out and growth on the scalp monitored after treatment. Visiomed's system compares images of a small shaved patch of scalp before and after treatment.

"The software quantifies the hair growth stages in before and after images," said Visiomed CEO Saliba Sassine.

European regulatory authorities approved the new system in June.

Sassine said the new product demonstrated the platform nature of the technology, which was acquired by Xcell Diagnostics when it took over Visiomed from German company ZN Group earlier this year.

"This is the second product application to utilise the technology. We believe that the strength of the underlying technology will give rise to a number of new medical applications," he said.

According to Sassine two new applications are in development using the MicroDERM platform: a skin cancer screening system capable of rapid high throughput screening, and a three-dimensional skin surface analysis tool for use in pre- and post-laser surgery applications.

He said the company was ahead of its competitors in the development of a skin cancer screening system, which he said was an unmet need in the market.

Visiomed has also entered into a research collaboration with Ruhr-University of Bochum and Siemens Medical Solutions AG to develop ultrasound based surgical navigation systems for spinal surgery.