Domestic clinical trials should be completed this year. The intersection of urology and cancer research also presents a fertile field. The ThermoTherapy treatment entails seeding the prostrate with patented cobalt palladium rods, which heat up when exposed to a focused magnetic field, thereby destroying the surrounding tissue. These ThermoRods are reportedly biocompatible and can self regulate their temperature. Intended to be performed on an outpatient basis, the therapy has demonstrated effectiveness in several animal models and is currently being evaluated in a Phase I human trial in Europe.
Several firms report developments in the fields of gynecology and women's health.
CryoGen has developed a proprietary cryosurgical system for endometrial ablation, which, the company says, represents the largest single medical device opportunity in gynecology. The company is currently treating patients for this indication in a clinical study. Z-Tech Inc. has developed a new method for detecting breast cancer based on bioelectrical impedance analysis. The technology has reportedly been validated in a pilot study on patients scheduled for breast biopsies after inconclusive mammograms. The technique takes advantage of the changes in the electrical characteristics of tissue that occurs during malignant change.