BioLucent Announces New MammoPad, Initiatives for Digital Mammography.

ALISO VIEJO, Calif. -- BioLucent, Inc., maker of the MammoPad(R) breast cushion, today announced two new initiatives for imaging centers that utilize digital mammography:

--A new MammoPad specially designed for digital mammography equipment.

--Certification as a digital Softer Mammogram Provider(R).

The new MammoPad cushion is larger than other versions, specifically designed to fit the larger surfaces of digital equipment. Labeled "New for Digital," the latest version of the breast cushion has the same attributes and benefits of the entire MammoPad product line. The FDA-cleared foam cushion is made of a radiolucent material that does not interfere with image quality.

The new certification program offers mammography facilities the opportunity to brand themselves as a certified digital Softer Mammogram Provider, thereby differentiating their services from other healthcare providers in their communities. Certified Softer Mammogram Providers receive MammoPad Select, a customizable marketing and communications program that is proven to encourage more women to have regular screening mammograms.

Studies demonstrate that offering women a softer mammogram with MammoPad can increase a center's patient volume by 20% to 32%. This increase in patient volume enables them to maximize their investment in digital mammography and offset the increased costs associated with the transition to digital mammography.

"Breast centers investing in digital mammography will achieve the greatest success if they pair that investment with a strategy for increasing patient volume," said Kami Jacobsen, BioLucent's marketing director. "The combination of certification, the new cushion, and the marketing program provides a complete package to accomplish both goals: increasing patient volumes and distinguishing a breast center in the minds of patients and referral sources."

In addition, certified centers receive educational and community outreach materials, enabling them to educate their communities and show that they're committed to providing women with the highest standards of care.

MammoPad - Clarity for the Digital Age

Several clinical assessments have confirmed MammoPad's value for both analog and digital mammography.

For example, a new study using full-field digital mammography equipment confirms earlier results, which show MammoPad has no clinically relevant effect on image quality or dose when used with digital mammography. The study, by medical physicists Eric Berns, Ph.D., and R. Edward Hendrick, Ph.D., FACR, was recently presented at the March 2006 annual conference of the National Consortium of Breast Centers, Inc. (NCBC).

Drs. Hendrick and Berns evaluated the effect on digital mammograms of zero, one, and two cushions while imaging the full clinical range of compressed breast thicknesses. The evaluations were conducted on four FDA-approved, full-field digital units manufactured by GE, Hologic, and Siemens.

"The foam pads had no clinically relevant effect on image quality or dose," said Dr. Berns.

Radiologists report these findings are consistent with their experience in clinical settings.

"It's been my experience with MammoPad in our clinical practice that the cushion does not interfere with image quality," said Valerie Jackson, M.D., chair of the Indiana University Department of Radiology. Dr. Jackson is past president of the American College of Radiology and has in her career published more than 100 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. Her department uses MammoPad on Hologic digital mammography equipment.

Per Granstrom, M.D., is medical director of University Physicians Healthcare, Tucson Breast Center, which uses MammoPad on digital mammography equipment by GE, a leading manufacturer. The center has been using the cushion for several years and is the only facility in Southern Arizona that provides MammoPad to every mammography patient as a standard of care.

"To get a good image, we need to have the patient's breast as flat and immobile as possible. The cushion helps achieve both those goals," Dr. Granstrom said, adding: "The cushion doesn't interfere with image quality in any way. We also believe more tissue is visualized on the image than positioning the breast without MammoPad. The research done when the cushion was developed has resulted in a material that doesn't cause allergic reactions and, most importantly, doesn't show up on the X-ray."

University Physicians Healthcare (UPH), Tucson Breast Center and UPH Hospital at Kino Campus partner with the University of Arizona and University Medical Center for patient care, physician training, clinical research, and education of healthcare students.

A separate new study on MammoPad, also presented in a poster at the 2006 NCBC conference, demonstrated that the combination of MammoPad and technologist training in breast positioning can improve tissue acquisition in mammograms.

"Proper breast positioning is crucial for a good mammogram, and yet that positioning can be hard to obtain," said study author Tammy Coryell, RT (R) (M), of Mammography Impact Consultants (Springfield, Mo.). "This study demonstrates that MammoPad, combined with positioning training, makes it possible to acquire more breast tissue in the image."

MammoPad can be used on all commercially available mammography equipment. The adhesive-backed, single-use cushion covers the surfaces of the mammography machine, providing a soft, warm padding for the breast.

A published, peer-reviewed study by the eminent Swedish mammographer Professor Laszlo Tabar, M.D., is one of several clinical trials that have confirmed MammoPad significantly reduces the discomfort many women feel during mammograms.

"Mammography discomfort has been shown to be a major reason that many women avoid getting regular mammograms," said Professor Tabar. "Our study suggests that the cushion can be effective in reducing this discomfort for most patients."

MammoPad has already benefited more than 8 million women. The material used in MammoPad can later be recycled for other, non-medical uses.

BioLucent, Inc. designs and manufactures innovative products to increase patient comfort during mammography, while also ensuring high-quality images. For more information about the company and the MammoPad breast cushion, call (toll-free) 866-460-4141 or access www.MammoPad.com.