Urodynamix Develops Next Generation NIRS Prostate Monitoring System

Main Category: Prostate / Prostate Cancer
Also Included In: Medical Devices;  Urology / Nephrology
Article Date: 27 Feb 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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Urodynamix Technologies Ltd. (TSX-V:URO) announced that it has commenced the evaluation of its second generation prototype near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) sensor for measuring blood flow in the prostate gland during the digital rectal examination (DRE). The DRE is the most common screening test for prostate cancer, and it is estimated that 150 million men in the United States, Europe and Japan qualify for the exam each year.

Urodynamix's NIRS DRE system is designed to enhance the traditional DRE procedure by capturing data that will improve the clinicians' ability to detect prostate cancer and other diseases of the prostate. The prostate specific antigen (PSA) test and the digital rectal exam (DRE) are currently used to detect and manage prostate cancer, but these techniques suffer from a lack of specificity and selectivity. The traditional DRE has poor accuracy for the detection of prostate cancer, with published sensitivity values ranging between 18% and 68% [1].

The Company's NIRS DRE system consists of a miniaturized single-use disposable sensor and pressure transducer with a console containing Urodynamix's proprietary NIRS hardware and software. The sensor is designed to be embedded within an exam glove as a self contained, single use disposable test kit that allows the clinician to measure blood flow as he or she examines the prostate. The procedure is otherwise identical to a conventional DRE.

Urodynamix is currently evaluating the NIRS DRE prototype at a single site and will initiate a multi-centre clinical trial to study NIRS as an adjunct to traditional DRE and PSA tests during the next quarter. Assessment of the prototype is currently being carried out by Dr. Zeid Mohamedali, MD, PhD, FRCS(C), Principal Investigator and a member of Urodynamix's Board of Directors, at Translational Research Inc. on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Dr. Mohamedali will examine 50 patients with and without prior diagnosis of prostate cancer and study the ability of NIRS to assess and quantify normal and abnormal blood flow in different quadrants of the prostate gland during DRE.

"Preliminary data suggest that Urodynamix's NIRS DRE system can improve the sensitivity of the DRE and potentially help direct the treatment of millions of men with indeterminate PSA results. The technology could provide primary care physicians with the ability to monitor changes in prostate cancer disease progression and assess prostate vascularity in BPH and prostatitis," said Dr. Mohamedali. "Since NIRS DRE technology can be integrated into the existing office DRE procedure, it could also help reduce the number of unnecessary prostate biopsies performed every year."

About Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common malignant tumour in men, accounting for one third of diagnosed cancers. It is now also the second leading cause of cancer death among men, behind lung cancer and having recently surpassed colorectal cancer in this statistic. Every year an estimated 250,000 new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed in North America and over 30,000 men die from the disease.

[1] Screening for Prostate Cancer in U.S. Men: ACPM Position Statement on Preventive Practice.
Sim, LS and Sherin, K
American Journal of Preventive Medicine 2008; 34:164-170.

About Urodynamix Technologies Ltd.

Urodynamix Technologies is a Canadian medical device company developing and commercializing non-invasive medical technology based on proprietary applications of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). The Company is currently focused on products that aid in the diagnosis and treatment of urinary incontinence, lower urinary tract symptoms, prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and traumatic increases in intra-abdominal pressure that cause abdominal compartment syndrome. Urodynamix's breakthrough medical technology has the potential to beneficially affect more than 200 million people worldwide.

Urodynamix Technologies Ltd.