Sanovas Awarded Patent for Cytological Brushing System

SAUSALITO, Calif., March 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Sanovas, Inc., (www.sanovas.com) a life science technology company focused on developing and commercializing next generation micro-invasive diagnostics, devices and drug delivery technologies announced today that the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued patent # 8,668,654 for the company's Cytological Brushing System.

The Cytological Brushing System is a multi-functional tool intended to acquire multiple types of biologic tissue samples from a target site in one pass. The invention is expected to become an important contribution to physicians and pathologists, who are increasingly looking to get into smaller spaces to improve their ability to collect cells for examination.  

"To improve diagnosis and to more accurately understand the genetic basis behind a cancerous group of cells it is essential to collect more robust cell samples from disparate locations at a target site. Sanovas' CEO, Larry Gerrans, who is also the primary inventor of the technology, relates. "This tool will address many of the unmet clinical needs of the surgeon and pathologist."

The device is expected to increase yields of cytological samples by up to 800 percent. The Cytological Brushing System employs the expansive characteristics of a new class of semi-compliant balloon catheter. The balloon features a textured surface that stimulates cellular function to optimize the collection of target tissues at the surface. In addition, the system contains operating channels within the catheter to, concurrently; deliver various tools such as needles and biopsy forceps to obtain tissue aspirates and core biopsy samples from deeper and more diverse regions of the target anatomy.

"The system has performed very well in our studies," said Gerrans. "It's the right tool to meet the expanding role of molecular science in clinical practice."

Sanovas expects to commercialize the technology in coordination with its various partners to address unmet clinical needs in Oncology, Pulmonology, ENT, GI, General Surgery, Urology and Gynecology.

About Sanovas

Sanovas' micro-surgical technology platform is designed to give surgeons the ability to access and visualize previously inaccessible areas of the body; enabling them to diagnose, treat and deliver drug and immune therapies to small diameter anatomy in entirely new ways.

Steve Goldsmith
[email protected]
415-729-9391

SOURCE Sanovas, Inc.