University ‘spin-out’ to revolutionise biomedical optics

Optopod Ltd, the brainchild of Adrian Podoleanu, Professor of Biomedical Optics and Head of the Applied Optics Group in the School of Physical Sciences, has developed a technique based on optical coherence tomography (OCT) that has proved successful in non-destructive imaging of superficial tissue.

Optopod’s new technology has the great advantage that it is non-invasive and provides high-depth resolution, enabling safe application to different types of tissue – such as skin, teeth, gum, internal vessel walls and hair – and burns. The technology is also finding applications in biology and art conservation, with one recent experiment, conducted in association with the British Museum and the National Gallery, London, enabling scientists, conservationists and art historians to observe not only the structure of the varnish layer on a painting but also the different layers of paint and preparatory drawings beneath those layers. The technique is evolving rapidly and the University has applied for several patents to protect the technology.

Carole Barron, Director of Kent Enterprise said, ‘Optopod Ltd, the second company that we have ‘spun out’ from the University of Kent within the last six months, consolidates our mission to commercially develop the University’s intellectual property and world-class research.’

Karl Heeks, the University’s technology transfer consultant who brokered the ‘spin-out’ said, ‘Professor Podoleanu’s international reputation in the area of biomedical optics and his well established commercial relationships have increased the likelihood of success for this exciting and revolutionary venture.’

Kent Enterprise is building very strong foundations in its technology transfer portfolio in a range of disciplines to enable future exploitation for the benefit of the University, its staff and the wider community.

Media Contact

Karen Baxter alfa

More Information:

http://www.kent.ac.uk/news

All latest news from the category: Medical Engineering

The development of medical equipment, products and technical procedures is characterized by high research and development costs in a variety of fields related to the study of human medicine.

innovations-report provides informative and stimulating reports and articles on topics ranging from imaging processes, cell and tissue techniques, optical techniques, implants, orthopedic aids, clinical and medical office equipment, dialysis systems and x-ray/radiation monitoring devices to endoscopy, ultrasound, surgical techniques, and dental materials.

Back to home

Comments (0)

Write a comment

Newest articles

Lighting up the future

New multidisciplinary research from the University of St Andrews could lead to more efficient televisions, computer screens and lighting. Researchers at the Organic Semiconductor Centre in the School of Physics and…

Researchers crack sugarcane’s complex genetic code

Sweet success: Scientists created a highly accurate reference genome for one of the most important modern crops and found a rare example of how genes confer disease resistance in plants….

Evolution of the most powerful ocean current on Earth

The Antarctic Circumpolar Current plays an important part in global overturning circulation, the exchange of heat and CO2 between the ocean and atmosphere, and the stability of Antarctica’s ice sheets….

Partners & Sponsors