Freedom Meditech Announces U.S. Commercial Launch of ClearPath DS-120™ Device to Measure Autofluorescence in the Lens of the Eye

SAN DIEGO, June 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Freedom Meditech, Inc., developer of non-invasive ophthalmic products for the detection of disease and management of patient health, has launched the ClearPath DS-120™ Lens Fluorescence Biomicroscope. Cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in January, the ClearPath DS-120 is a first-in-class, non-invasive tool designed to quickly and accurately measure autofluorescence through a six second scan of the crystalline lens of the eye. A significant number of independent peer-reviewed studies have suggested that elevated lens autofluorescence may be an early indicator of the presence of diabetes.

Nearly 104.8 million Americans have diabetes or pre-diabetes, costing an estimated $250 billion annually. Complications of diabetes including blindness, kidney failure and amputations can be avoided with early disease detection and intervention.

"There is a great need for early detection of diabetes beyond the currently available blood tests and doctor visits," said Daniel Einhorn, M.D., an endocrinologist with the Scripps Health System. "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have shown that almost 80 million Americans have pre-diabetes, a stage where intervention is most cost-effective. There is increased public awareness of this, and the ophthalmic community could be at the center of one of the most important public health opportunities of our generation."

The ClearPath DS-120 produces a quantitative result that is immediately available to the optometrist and patient, and can be electronically transmitted to a patient or referral healthcare provider. The scan does not require a blood draw or pupil dilation. The device has a small footprint, sits on a table top, and employs an easy to use touch screen display that can be wirelessly linked to a practitioner's electronic medical record system.

"With over 100 million eye exams now performed in the U.S. annually, the eye-care provider is a gatekeeper for people within the age range when adult onset diabetes typically presents," explained Craig Misrach, Chairman and CEO of Freedom Meditech. "The ClearPath DS-120 has the potential to change the standard optometry visit and increase the role of the optometrist in the management of their patients' overall health."

Freedom Meditech will be hosting a Meet and Greet with Dr. Arthur Medina, O.D. (San Antonio, TX) and with attendees of the 116^th Annual American Optometry Association Congress on June 27^th at 4:00 p.m. at exhibit booth #1146. Dr. Medina will demonstrate the ClearPath DS-120 six second scan and present the real-time test results report. Demonstrations of the ClearPath DS-120 will be available throughout the AOA meeting June 27-30.

About ClearPath DS-120™

The ClearPath DS-120™ Lens Fluorescence Biomicroscope is cleared by FDA as a tool for the measurement of autofluorescence by scanning the crystalline lens of the eye with a blue light. In independent scientific studies published in peer-reviewed journals, elevated autofluorescence measurements have been linked to high levels of advanced glycosylated end products which accumulate as a result of the aging process and the presence of systemic disease.

The ClearPath scan is pain free, takes just six seconds and produces an immediate, quantitative result available to the patent and health care provider. Unlike some eye exams, the scan does not require dilation. The ClearPath is completely non-invasive and does not require a blood draw to produce a result.

About Freedom Meditech

Freedom Meditech, Inc. is a medical device company focused on the commercialization of novel ophthalmic technologies for the detection of disease and management of patient health. The company has received FDA clearance for its first product, ClearPath DS-120™, a non-invasive tool for the measurement of autofluorescence in the eye.  I-SugarX is the company's second product currently in development as a non-invasive ophthalmic glucose monitor that measures glucose levels in the eye for people with diabetes. The company maintains corporate and engineering operations in San Diego, CA with supporting research and development activities throughout the state of Ohio. For more information, visit www.freedom-meditech.com or find us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

SOURCE Freedom Meditech