Eye Care, Laser Technology, and Imaging Modules Among 2021 Prism Award Finalists

Six biophotonics technologies that enhance retinal imaging, disease diagnosis, and surgical precision are among the 30 finalists SPIE has selected for this year’s Prism Awards. Winners in 10 categories will be announced as part of the SPIE Photonics West 2021 Digital Forum, to be held online March 6-11.

This year’s Prism Awards feature four new categories: Medical Devices, Quantum, Software, and Smart Sensing.

Finalists in the Medical Devices and Life Sciences categories are listed below.

The Prism Awards are co-sponsored by SPIE and Photonics Media.

Medical Devices
Endofotonics Pte. Ltd. (Singapore)

SPECTRA IMDx is a diagnostic support system that delivers in vivo molecular diagnoses using Raman spectroscopy. The system, which consists of a cart and a reusable optical probe capable of fitting through an endoscope, interrogates and analyzes the tissue and cells of gastric cancer patients, or those who may be at high risk of developing the disease. The device is intended to pair with white light endoscopy in upper gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures, to provide real-time feedback to medical personnel. SPECTRA IMDx can differentiate between cancerous and noncancerous tissue when used in conjunction with a machine learning algorithm. Endofotonics reported that the system achieves a sensitivity and specificity of over 90% in gastric cancer diagnosis.

Lumedica (Durham, N.C.)

The OQ EyeScope is a compact, mobile device-enabled OCT medical instrument designed for retinal imaging. The system was produced to enable an increased number of eye care professionals to use OCT to scan more patients at an earlier stage of care. The cost-effective device supports increasing access to underserved populations worldwide that lack access to imaging technologies and equipment capable of detecting and preventing blindness. By delivering results in real time, the OQ EyeScope is a highly functional point-of-care system.

Norlase ApS (Ballerup, Denmark)

LION, a head-mounted, portable laser indirect ophthalmoscope (LIO), performs without an external laser console or fiber optic cable tether. The system, a treatment solution for retinal disease, is a fully integrated, battery-powered LIO and green laser device. Its built-in miniature visible diode-based laser integrates into the system headset, which itself replaces a fiber optic cable component. Laser parameters are controlled via a wireless tablet or voice control. LION’s ultraclear optics enhance visualization during diagnosis and treatment, allowing physicians to treat patients faster and more efficiently throughout their full duration of care.

Life Sciences
Augmentiqs Medical (Haifa, Israel)

The Augmentiqs 1000 is a complete digital pathology platform based on an add-on optical module that offers compatibility with all standard microscopes. The platform blends standard microscopy with novel digital tools and tissue analysis algorithms using advanced imaging and augmented reality overlay on the specimen slide. Augmentiqs aims to provide affordable access to high-quality medical tools for doctors, including those in remote and developing areas of the world.

IPG Photonics Corp. (Oxford, Mass.)

The YLPF-FlexO fiber laser offers the ability to change pulse characteristics on the fly using a built-in programmable pulse shaper, allowing users to search for the optimal pulse for their specific application, with just one laser. Applications each have their own optimal pulse duration or waveform profile/sequence, which is often unknown in advance. This laser prevents the need for switching to a different device. Device applications include multiphoton microscopy, two-photon polymerization, laser-assisted crystallization or nucleation, photoporation and transfection in live cells, terahertz imaging, seeding amplifiers, and pumping optical parametric oscillators. The laser is also suitable for in vivo and in vitro diagnostics and drug design.

Omnivision Technologies Inc. (Santa Clara, Calif.)

The OVM6948 CameraCubeChip wafer-level camera module offers a compact, high-quality, and cost-effective imaging solution for single-use guidewires, catheters, and endoscopes that can reach the very smallest parts of the anatomy deeper inside the body. The device measures 0.65 × 0.65, with a z-height of 1.158 mm. It can be integrated into endoscopes or catheters that have diameters of less than 2 mm.