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Biophan to Be Issued Two New Patents for Solutions Targeting Enhanced Heart Monitoring and Nanoparticle Coatings.


ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Patent Opens the Way for Reducing Danger of MRI 1. (application) MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
2. MRI - Measurement Requirements and Interface.
 Imaging for Existing Pacemaker pacemaker

Source of rhythmic electrical impulses that trigger heart contractions. In the heart's electrical system, impulses generated at a natural pacemaker are conducted to the atria and ventricles.
 Recipients

Biophan Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB OTCBB

See OTC Bulletin Board (OTCBB).
:BIPH BIPH Bogomoletz Institute of Physiology (National Academy of Sciences; Ukraine) ), a developer of next-generation biomedical technology Biomedical technology involves the application of engineering and technology principles to the domain of living or biological systems. Usually biomedical denotes a greater stress on problems related to human health and diseases. , has announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office will issue on April 5 two new patents involving proprietary developments that enable Magnetic Resonance Imaging magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), noninvasive diagnostic technique that uses nuclear magnetic resonance to produce cross-sectional images of organs and other internal body structures.  (MRI) of heart activity and advance the manufacture of nanoparticle coatings for medical devices.

The patents describe innovations involving a number of multi-billion-dollar biomedical bi·o·med·i·cal
adj.
1. Of or relating to biomedicine.

2. Of, relating to, or involving biological, medical, and physical sciences.
 marketplaces where Biophan holds a significant lead in advanced intellectual property solutions, including nanotechnology and photonic-based solutions for MRI safety and imaging compatibility.

One of the newly issued patents is part of a suite of Biophan patents that cover a wide array of technology solutions in MRI safety for implanted medical devices. This particular patent focuses on the method for use of a photonic, or fiber optic, lead that avoids MRI interference. It is intended for use in numerous biomedical diagnostic applications that require the sensing of electromagnetic fields at the body surface, and the transmission of information about those fields along the photonic lead. This technique is particularly targeted to enable electrocardiogram electrocardiogram /elec·tro·car·dio·gram/ (-kahr´de-o-gram?) a graphic tracing of the variations in electrical potential caused by the excitation of the heart muscle and detected at the body surface.  (EKG EKG: see electrocardiography. ) measurements to be made in the imaging environment of an active MRI device.

EKG leads are known to get hot in MRI machines; some reports indicate burns have resulted from EKG devices that are claimed to be MRI compatible. It is often vital to monitor the electrophysiological status of a patient undergoing MRI, especially in a situation where a patient with a pacemaker needs an MRI diagnosis to stage them for a critical cancer operation.

This newly issued patent, and its other photonic catheter patents, have claims that relate to making an MRI-safe and image-compatible EKG lead, using a fiber optic cable Noun 1. fiber optic cable - a cable made of optical fibers that can transmit large amounts of information at the speed of light
fibre optic cable

transmission line, cable, line - a conductor for transmitting electrical or optical signals or electric power
 which goes directly to the EKG pad on the chest or leg to sense heart rhythms. The Company has demonstrated that fiber optics fiber optics, transmission of digitized messages or information by light pulses along hair-thin glass fibers. Each fiber is surrounded by a cladding having a high index of refractance so that the light is internally reflected and travels the length of the fiber  are safe for use with MRI, and has also developed and patented solutions for making metal wires safe with MRI.

"This is a good example of our comprehensive approach to covering the waterfront by patenting multiple solutions to an important problem such as this," said Michael Weiner Michael Weiner can refer to:
  • Michael Savage, the talk-radio host and commentator whose real name is Michael Weiner,
  • Michael Weiner, the academic and professor,
  • Michael Weiner, the actor and composer.
, CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board.  of Biophan. "These multiple patent thickets ensure a high level of patent protection for Biophan and its technology licensees."

Until pacemakers Pacemakers Definition

A pacemaker is a surgically-implanted electronic device that regulates a slow or erratic heartbeat.
Purpose

Pacemakers are implanted to regulate irregular contractions of the heart (arrhythmia).
 are made MRI safe by pacemaker manufacturers, dedicated physicians will continue to attempt to find ways to reduce the risks associated with giving a pacemaker patient an MRI scan. One of the risks in giving a pacemaker recipient an MRI is the danger that the electrical currents induced in the lead by the MRI gradient field sweeping across the body will induce fibrillation fibrillation /fi·bril·la·tion/ (fi?bri-la´shun)
1. the quality of being made up of fibrils.

2. a small, local, involuntary, muscular contraction, due to spontaneous activation of single muscle cells or muscle
 in the patient. Until manufacturers make future products definitively MRI-safe, something needs to be done for the 3 million people with pacemakers who would be put at risk in an MRI scan.

MRI-safe EKG leads can go a long way to reducing the dangers. That is one of the significant benefits offered by this patent. With truly safe MRI EKG leads, patients can be monitored while in the MRI machine, and defibrillated if needed. This is a particularly worrisome problem if the implantable pacemaker lead has problems, including wear or other defects that impede optimal current flow, such as corrosion or partial breakage.

"It is not reasonable to expect every MRI technician to know all this, but it is reasonable to make sure that a pacemaker patient, even one in one thousand, does not die in an MRI coil during a scan," said Mr. Weiner. "The pacemaker industry now has several solutions. It is time for them to take action. It is their ethical imperative."

The other newly issued patent describes specific details that relate to the creation of a layered electromagnetic shielding Electromagnetic shielding is the process of limiting the flow of electromagnetic fields between two locations, by separating them with a barrier made of conductive material.  assembly from nanoparticulates consisting of relatively common materials such as aluminum, iron, nickel, and cobalt. Various medical applications of this technology are under license to Biophan.

Following the most recent issuances, the Company holds a total of 36 issued patents, 6 allowed patents that have been approved for subsequent issuance, with 72 still undergoing the patent examination process. Biophan and its licensors hold a total of 114 U.S. patents, licenses or applications.

"These latest patent issuances lend further support and strength to Biophan's intellectual property portfolio, which we are building with the intent to establish control of a growing number of biomedical markets," said Mr. Weiner. "For example, one of the newly-issued patents has the potential to enable creation of improved diagnostic methods for heart monitoring through the use of new MRI-based techniques. Biophan's solutions in this area could enable doctors to use MRI imaging in cardiac procedures, bringing MRI's advantages in safety and imaging resolution to this critical area of medical care. However, our intellectual property strategy involves patent protection for the widest possible uses and markets for our technologies."

About Biophan Technologies

Biophan develops and markets cutting-edge technologies designed to make biomedical devices safe and compatible with the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) environment. The Company develops enabling technologies for implanted medical systems such as pacemakers and interventional surgical devices such as catheters, guidewires, stents, and other implants to allow them to be safely and effectively imaged under MRI. The technology is also being used to create MRI contrast agents, and has expanded to include other applications, such as drug delivery and power systems derived from body heat. Four Biophan technologies include advances in nanotechnology and thin film coatings. Committed to growth through innovation and developmental leadership, Biophan and its licensors now hold a total of 114 U.S. patents, licenses, or applications. This total includes 36 issued U.S. patents, 6 recently-allowed applications that will issue as patents in the near future, and 72 pending applications at various stages of examination at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, plus international applications. The patents cover areas including nanotechnology (nanomagnetic particle coatings), radio frequency filters, polymer composites, thermoelectric ther·mo·e·lec·tric   also ther·mo·e·lec·tri·cal
adj.
Characteristic of, resulting from, or using electrical phenomena occurring in conjunction with a flow of heat.
 materials for batteries generating power from body heat, and photonics. Biophan has joint development arrangements with Boston Scientific The Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) (abbreviated BSC), is a worldwide developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical devices whose products are used in a range of interventional medical specialties, including interventional cardiology, peripheral interventions,  (NYSE NYSE

See: New York Stock Exchange
:BSX BSX Bermuda Stock Exchange
BSX Bandai Satellaview-X
BSX Bicycle Super-X (Cross) 
) and NASA's Ames Center for Nanotechnology. Biophan's goal is to make all biomedical devices capable of safely and successfully working with MRI, and delivering other technologies which will improve quality of life. For more information, please visit www.biophan.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements included in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements reflect what Biophan anticipates, expects, or believes may happen in the future. Biophan's actual results could differ materially from the outcome or circumstance expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors including, but not limited to: Biophan's ability to develop its technologies; the approval of Biophan's patent applications; the successful implementation of Biophan's research and development programs; the ability of Biophan to demonstrate the effectiveness of its technology; the acceptance by the market of Biophan's technology and products incorporating such technology, the ability of Biophan to effectively negotiate and enter into contracts with medical device manufacturers for the licensing of Biophan's technology; competition; the ability of Biophan to raise capital to fund its operating and research and development activities until it generates revenues sufficient to do so; and the timing of projects and trends in future operating performance, as well as other factors expressed from time to time in Biophan's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). As a result, this press release should be read in conjunction with Biophan's periodic filings with the SEC which are incorporated herein by reference. The forward-looking statements contained herein are made only as of the date of this press release, and Biophan undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
COPYRIGHT 2005 Business Wire
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 2005, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.

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Publication:Business Wire
Geographic Code:1USA
Date:Apr 1, 2005
Words:1301
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