Cancer imaging system scoops engineering awards

October 27^th, 2016: Lightpoint Medical claimed ‘new electronic product of the year’ and the coveted ‘grand prix’ at the British Engineering Excellence Awards for an imaging system developed in association with R&D specialist Sagentia.

The LightPath™ Imaging System helps surgeons to precisely locate cancer cells, ensuring diseased tissue can be cleared in a single operation. It is the first commercially available imaging device with this capability.

BEEA judges were looking for an electronic product or component that addresses a particular market need. The winning entry had to bring a significant performance improvement; either over a previous product or competitive devices. LightPath™ satisfied their exacting criteria by integrating the latest imaging technology with a mobile device that is suitable for use in busy operating theaters. 

Alistair Fleming, Head of Surgical and Diagnostics at Sagentia, says: “The system detects Cerenkov Luminescence, a subtle light produced by PET imaging agents widely used in cancer diagnosis. The light is so faint that it is like trying to see a candle from 40 miles away, presenting significant challenges. We worked with Lightpoint from the very early days of the development and are delighted to congratulate them on this well-deserved success.”

LightPath™ is now commercially available in Europe having obtained a CE Mark in October 2015.