Optical Biopsy System:

SynMed is excited to be working with specialists and researchers on new endoscopic techniques that may change the diagnostic procedures for Barrett's oesophagus in the near future.

Application of new optical techniques has the potential to enhance the ability to detect dysplasia during endoscopic procedures and take targeted biopsies. Spectral information can be obtained either by point measurements using an optical fibre ('spectral biopsy') or by imaging a broad tissue field. Light-induced fluorescence techniques are based on the observation that tissue when excited by light of shorter wavelength will emit fluorescent light of a longer wavelength.

These spectral techniques, although still in their infancy, have already shown the ability to detect early cancer, high-grade dysplasia and in some cases even low-grade dysplasia with a promising degree of sensitivity. As the instruments and the techniques will be further refined, they are likely to become an important part of endoscopic screening.

WavSTAT^® System

The WavSTAT Optical Biopsy System console contains a laser, electronic components that collect the emitted fluorescent signals, and a computer that operates the system and analyses the tissue. The WavSTAT Optical Biopsy Forceps with an integral optical fibre delivers the laser light when in contact with the tissue. The forceps with fibre also returns the emitted fluorescent signal to the console for analysis. The WavSTAT Optical Biopsy Forceps are used through the working channel of a standard endoscope and can also be used to begin immediate treatment of the patient by removing diseased tissue after a tissue's analysis has been made. In selected patients, endoscopic ablation methods, although still experimental, might already offer an alternative to oesophagectomy.