Based on know-how in the field of medical ultrasound developed by Artann scientists over 20 years of research and under contract with NASA and the National Institutes of Health, Artann Laboratories has developed a family of ultrasonic devices for assessment of bone health and diagnosis of diseases of the skeletal system. Development of Artann's bone ultrasonometer technology to date has been fueled by about $3 million funding. The technology includes several innovations described in the pending and issued U.S. patents assigned to the company.

The fundamental difference between our technology and existing ultrasonometers lies in its simultaneous use of various modes of ultrasonic waves in a wide frequency range; scanning mode examination and multiparametric characterization of bone conditions. Preliminary studies have shown that the innovations implemented in our devices drastically increase diagnostic capabilities in ultrasonic assessment of bone health when compared to conventional bone ultrasonometers.

Bone UltraSonic Scanner™ (BUSS) is a novel diagnostic tool for screening and monitoring of osteoporosis through multiparametric assessment of bone mechanical and structural characteristics. In addition to osteoporosis, this technology could be used in diagnosis and monitoring a variety of other skeletal conditions, including pediatric bone growth monitoring and drug-induced bone deterioration. Other fields of BUSS applications include assessment of bone health in sports medicine, monitoring condition of skeletal system of astronauts during long-term space missions, and veterinary medicine.

The device was tested in preliminary clinical studies that have demonstrated superior diagnostic capabilities in assessment of bone health when compared to conventional bone ultrasonometers. We are currently looking for qualified clinical and business partners to complete clinical validation of the device and to bring the technology to the market.

References

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