MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Medspira, and Mayo Clinic have entered into an agreement to commercialize, manufacture and market several Mayo Clinic developed products and technologies invented by Mayo physicians and scientists. Mayo Clinic technologies included in the license agreement are two Radiology products currently available in the market, the Interactive Breath-Hold Control System and the BC-10 MRI Coils, and two technologies that Medspira will develop further, with the intent of making them commercially available in the next 12-24 months. "Medspira is honored to work with Mayo Clinic where research is a critical part of its commitment to excellence and interdependence in the three areas of research, education and patient care," said Tim Anderson Medspira CEO.

Commercially Available Technologies

The Breath Hold Interactive Breath-Hold Control System is a noninvasive device that enables patients to perform consistent, repeatable breath-holds during diagnostic imaging and image-guided interventional procedures. Respiratory motion and inconsistent patient breath-holds can prevent accurate needle biopsies of small masses in the lung and upper abdomen. Image-guided needle biopsies can be preformed on an outpatient basis, have less complications, are much less invasive to the patient, and are less costly than surgical biopsies. Breath Hold has FDA cleared (Class II, 513(g)) and CE marked (Class I).

Mayo Clinic's BC-10 MRI Coil is designed to allow acquisition of high resolution MRI images of the wrist at 1.5 and 3.0 Tesla. The BC-10's bird cage design provides a level of detail needed to diagnose many problems within the complicated structures of the wrist and hand. Products have FDA cleared (510(k) Class II) and CE marked (Class I).

Technologies Under Development:

New technologies for diagnosis and treatment of fecal incontinence (FI) will help primary care providers, gastroenterologists, colorectal surgeons, and gynecologists care for patients with FI. FI is most common in the elderly and in women after childbirth. Although effective treatments exist, many people and their families have difficulty coping with this embarrassing problem. Because the existing methods for assessing anorectal functions are expensive and not available in primary care clinics, the condition is often untreated, which can lead to isolation, depression or premature admission to a nursing home. This emerging technology promises to simplify diagnostic assessment and facilitate management of fecal incontinence.

Additional technologies to address concerns over the safety of angiograph contrast agents are also in development. Known as a Hemostasis Valve, the technology allows Cardiologists and Radiologists to more safely, quickly and easily perform catheter based procedures. The valves can significantly reduce bleeding. The procedure is accomplished in less time and gives the physician more control over catheter placement than valves currently available in the marketplace.

Mayo Clinic has licensed these technologies through its Office of Intellectual Property to Medspira and will receive royalties from sales. Mayo Clinic also holds an equity position in Medspira.

About Medspira

Medspira was formed by a group of private investors to bring new, clinically inspired technologies to a wider audience for the benefit of patients and physicians. Its highly focused sales model serves the market in both North America and worldwide. These devices represent the first products for the company. For more information, contact Sarah Thornton (sthornton@medspira.com).

About Mayo Clinic Office of Intellectual Property

Mayo Clinic has one of the most highly evolved intellectual property and technology commercialization efforts in academic medicine, with a 20-year history of supporting Mayo's mission.

The Office of Intellectual Property at Mayo Clinic serves as a bridge between discoveries and the marketplace. The office works with inventors and commercial industry to determine the right fit for each innovation, whether a sponsored research agreement, licensing agreement, technology-based venture, start-up company or entirely new business model. Mayo Clinic's Office of Intellectual Property has filed more than 2,400 patents resulting in over 600 active patent-licensing agreements with business partners in the biomedical and manufacturing industries.

SOURCE Medspira

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