Med-Tech Innovation University News
Oxford’s MRI image improvement
A new method developed by the University of Oxford for correcting image intensity variations in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) speeds up diagnosis and lowers cost, without loss of clinical information. Intensity variations in MRI images cause the same tissue to have brightness variations across the image. This can result in ineffective image registration and segmentation, as well as inefficient use of the radiologist’s time and delayed diagnosis. Current methods to correct the image based on a series of body and surface coil calibration images require excessive scan time or achieve little improvement. The Oxford invention uses a new approach that requires minimal increase in scan and processing time and reduces the need for on- screen image manipulation by the radiologist.
The technique has been tested on a variety of MRI configurations and anatomies and could be implemented on existing 1.5 T and new 3.0 T MRI systems. The invention is the subject of a patent application in the US. Isis Innovation, Oxford’s technology transfer company, would like to hear from companies interested in developing this commercial opportunity. Project number 3531.
www.isis-innovation.com
Galway’s new cellular therapies for osteoarthritis
Researchers at the National University of Ireland (NUI) Galway are developing new therapies involving the delivery of stem cells to stimulate a repair response to osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis is characterised by degeneration of the articular cartilage, with loss of matrix, fibrillation, formation of fissures and ultimately complete loss of the cartilage surface. Other articular tissues are also affected, including the subchondral bone, ligaments, joint capsule, synovial membrane and periarticular muscles. All of the treatment options currently in use address the
Professor Frank Barry at work on new therapies involving the delivery of stem cells to damaged joints
symptoms, but do not have an impact on the degenerative course of the disease. For many, the recommended treatment is joint replacement surgery. The treatment of degenerative joint disease is still an area where we need to make more progress. Although osteoarthritis affects a very large proportion of the population, there are no effective therapies available today that alter the course of the disease. Once the damage to the joint has progressed to a significant point, there is no way of reversing it. The work of the Arthritis team at the National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science at NUI Galway is focused on developing new therapies involving the delivery of stem cells to these damaged joints to stimulate a repair response, or at least to slow down the process of degeneration. Stem cells in adult tissues are reservoirs of reparative cells, ready to mobilise and differentiate in response to wound signals or disease conditions. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been isolated from many tissues, including periosteum, trabecular bone, adipose tissue, synovium, skeletal muscle and deciduous teeth. These stem cells have the capacity to differentiate into connective tissue cells, including bone, fat, cartilage and muscle. MSCs have generated a great deal of interest because of their potential use in regenerative medicine and there are some dramatic examples, derived from pre-clinical and clinical studies that illustrate their therapeutic value. The Galway research group has for several years been testing the effectiveness of these cells in the treatment of osteoarthritis. The results in preclinical testing to date are exceptional and suggest that there are many reasons to be optimistic about future cell therapy approaches for this disease. Information supplied by Professor Frank Barry, NUI Galway,
www.nuigalway.ie
Strathclyde offers oxygen intelligent ink
New research at the University of Strathclyde has discovered a novel sensor for measuring oxygen levels within modified atmosphere packaging (MAP).
MAP is used to protect oxygen sensitive items such as sterilised medical equipment. It is imperative within this form of packaging that the level of oxygen is known, to indicate product tampering and ensure quality. Current oxygen sensors tend to be unreliable because of their reversibility with oxygen; they are also typically costly with short shelf lives. The University of Strathclyde’s novel sensor changes colour on detection of oxygen. Untrained personnel and end users
www.med-techinnovation.com
can therefore monitor the oxygen level within the package to maintain product quality. The sensor is “activated” using ultraviolet light and is unaffected by natural light and by carbon dioxide, a common MAP gas. The advantages of the technology include cheap manufacture, it is irreversible and therefore more reliable, and it can be encapsulated within a number of materials including plastic film or ink dye.
Those interested in developing or licensing this technology, should contact
ri@strath.ac.uk quoting reference number 1367.
www.strath.ac.uk
April 2011 ¦ 05
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