http://www.mdbiotechinc.com/
Posted 11/8/2004 3:36 PM Updated 11/8/2004 5:06 PM New instrument helps determine health by scanning eyes MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) � A West Virginia company is developing an instrument that will allow doctors and emergency workers to determine a patient's health by scanning their eyes. MD Biotech's ocular scanning instrument identifies and analyzes attributes of the eye, which is "tightly interconnected with systems of the body," Chief Executive Officer W.C. Bird said Monday in a news release. "Scientific literature identifies the eye as the one of the most prominent indicators for various hazards and/or diseases to which individuals are exposed," Bird said. He said instrument can detect a wide range of injuries, illnesses and physical abnormalities. MD Biotech, located in Morgantown, received grants totaling $915,000 from the federal Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency for the project. The West Virginia High Technology Consortium is helping the company with prototype design. "Military personnel, emergency agencies and medical professionals who deal in emergency first response and medical care are in critical need of a rapid, noninvasive and inexpensive technology, such as the OSI, that monitors personnel and patient health," Bird said. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 2004 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/techinnovations/2004-11-08-eye-health-scan_x.htm MMT Online Archives This article was Originally Published on Apr 08, 2004 in Volume: 8 Issue: 3 Soldier Self Care If soldiers have more tools and science going into combat with them, the better prepared they will be to survive and help others to survive when injuries occur. This will give those forces more �persistence in combat.� By Harry T. Whelan, Barbara L. Hale-Richlen, Michael R. Pharaon and Kurt A. Henry . . . Ocular Scanning Devices The Ocular Scanning Instrument (OSI) is a project under development that will allow for rapid identification of warfighters exposed to certain chemical/biologic warfare agents in a non-invasive manner. The basic foundation for the project by MD Biotech is that a portable, lightweight, automated handheld device would be able to detect and analyze small variations in eye movements and pupil size, allowing for the recognition of biomarkers induced by exposure to nerve agents organophosphates/anticholinesterases (anti-AchE), cyanide, carbon monoxide and botulinum toxin. Typical biomarkers include: video-oculography; eye movements; pupil size and reactivity to light; retinal blood vessels; hemoglobin, hematocrit and platelets; tearing; conjunctival discoloration; and corneal abnormalities such as clouding, blister formation and ulceration. MD Biotech is currently working to characterize specific biomarkers associated with the aforementioned toxic compounds and their temporal relationship to the development of clinical symptoms. This establishment between ocular biomarkers and toxin exposure will be used to develop algorithms allowing for rapid detection of toxin exposure, thus rendering an early specific diagnosis that can be used to initiate Solder Self Care and result in a more rapid return to combat following toxin exposure. In the case of organophosphate/anticholinesterase agents, a dose response curve is being evaluated with respect to degree of miosis following exposure. This data is being investigated in combination with other secondary biomarkers to increase the sensitivity and specificity for the detection of organophosphates and anti-AchE toxins. With cyanide and carbon monoxide toxicity, MD Biotech is undergoing preliminary investigations looking at retinal artery and vein changes in a rat model to determine specific biomarkers. These biomarkers are then used to construct concentration response curves along with secondary biomarkers that will be used to detect cyanide and carbon monoxide toxicity. Botulinum Toxin exposure is also under investigation, due to its ease in production and usage as a bio-weapon. The goal is to develop reliable biomarkers that are sensitive and specific enough to detect exposure prior to the delivery of a lethal dose. The ultimate goal of MD Biotech is to develop not just a hand-held OSI, but an integrated sensor that would be part of a warfighter�s field equipment, providing continuous evaluation for possible toxin exposure and a warring system to alert the solider if an exposure has occurred. This would allow the soldier to take action to minimize contact and initiate Solider Self Care. . . . http://www.mmt-kmi.com/archive_article.cfm?DocID=437 --- URG-L Les archives de la liste d'echange sont disponibles pour consultation a l'adresse : <http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]>
