ANN ARBOR–Endra Life Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ: NDRA), the Ann Arbor-based ultrasound technology developer, has won two new patents from the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
They are U.S. Patent No. 11,172,829, titled “Thermoacoustic Transducer With Integrated Switch,” and U.S. Patent No. 11,176,848, titled “Tissue-mimicking Material for A Multi-modality Imaging Phantom.”
The first patent relates to a novel system for reducing false signals in thermoacoustic imaging. This patent enables mitigation of radiofrequency energy effects upon the electronic components of the system. Endra expects the ‘829 patent to be effective for all thermoacoustic imaging applications.
The second patent relates to Endra’s novel phantom for use with different imaging modalities including thermoacoustic imaging, ultrasound imaging and MRI. This patent enables health practitioners to use a single phantom instead of multiple phantoms when calibrating or validating a thermoacoustic system for use. The ‘848 patent should be particularly valuable as Endra proceeds with clinical trials in multiple countries.
“These issued patents – our 22nd and 23rd in the U.S. – support our strategy to develop optimized hybrid ultrasound and thermoacoustic imaging systems and to broaden the potential applications for our proprietary TAEUS technology in areas with unmet clinical needs,” Endra CEO Francois Michelon said. “We continue to enhance our intellectual property portfolio to protect our technology in priority global markets. Our portfolio currently stands at 89 assets, which we define as patents issued, filed or in preparation.”
Endra is developing a technology called Thermo Acoustic Enhanced UltraSound (TAEUS) to visualize tissue like MRI, but at 1/50th the cost and at the point of patient care. TAEUS is designed to work in concert with 400,000 cart-based ultrasound systems in use globally today. TAEUS is initially focused on the measurement of fat in the liver as a means to assess and monitor Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and inflammation (NASH), chronic liver conditions that affect over one billion people globally, and for which there are no practical diagnostic tools. Beyond the liver, Endra is exploring several other clinical applications of TAEUS, including visualization of tissue temperature during energy-based surgical procedures.
Endra also reported a loss of $2.7 million for the quarter ended Sept. 30, vs. a loss of $3.3 million a year earlier, and a loss of $8.4 million for the year to date, vs. a loss of $9.2 million a year earlier. The company does not yet have revenue. The company has $11.8 million in cash on hand. “The company is well-capitalized to continue building its commercial efforts in Europe and to support its clinical evaluation partners worldwide, as it awaits a regulatory determination in the U.S.,” company officials said in a news release.
To listen to a replay of a conference call discussing the company’s operations, call (877) 344-7529 (U.S.) or (412) 317-0088 (International) and provide the passcode 10161144.
More at www.endrainc.com.