Wasatch Photonics launches imaging instrument for veterinary applications
April 30, 2014
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.; LOGAN, Utah; and DURHAM, N.C. - Large animal and companion pet veterinarians could benefit from an imaging instrument that provides accurate tissue data collection and insight into the eye.
Wasatch Photonics Inc. and its distribution partner OcuScience are launching iVivo VET, a handheld optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fundus imager for veterinary applications. Nishant Mohan, director of product management and marketing for Wasatch Photonics, described how the device works.
"It combines the capabilities of a high-resolution ophthalmoscope with the detailed imaging of OCT for large animals," he said. "iVivo VET quickly captures extraordinary eye images by overlaying the OCT scans on real-time retina images."
iVivo VET will be offered in two models: iVivo VET C, which is designed for clinical diagnostics for companion animals, and iVivo VET R, which is designed for research in large animal species and for providing open-source code and data for scientific analysis. Features of the system include "angle to angle" cornea images; a high-resolution fundus camera, retina OCT and anterior segment OCT; 50-degree wide view fundus image; 10 megapixel visible spectrum and infrared imaging combined with OCT; imaging up to 7-micron resolution in tissue; up to 40,000 scans per second; and 3-D imaging and robust analysis tools.
"The system provides easy alignment and fast capture of retinal images in an awakened animal," Mohan said. "iVivo VET also allows wide-field imaging of an anterior segment."
Gillian McLellan, professor and veterinary ophthalmologist at the University of Wisconsin, described the impact iVivo VET could make.
"The ability to acquire high-quality fundus images and OCT images concurrently will represent an invaluable tool for veterinary ophthalmologists. By enabling accurate documentation of ocular lesions, it will facilitate good patient care and will help immensely in client and student education," she said. "Ease of use is critical in both a clinical setting and in ophthalmic research, and affordable OCT will enhance understanding of pathology that underlies ophthalmic abnormalities in veterinary species. With this information we will be better equipped to fight blindness in our patients."
Mohan said a challenge in developing iVivo VET was to make it robust for a veterinary environment, but keep costs low.
"My colleagues and I feel it will serve as an all-in-one solution for imaging needs of veterinary ophthalmologists," he said. "In OcuScience we have a perfect partner in taking this product to the veterinary market."
Daniel Lindgren, president of OcuScience, said iVivo VET could be a complete solution for multi-species ophthalmic imaging.
"The combined cutting-edge technologies developed by the engineers at Wasatch Photonics for delivering high-precision OCT with a high-resolution ophthalmoscope includes robust and revealing software algorithms for extraordinary visualization of eye structures," he said.
Wasatch Photonics headquarters are in Logan, Utah. It also has locations in Research Triangle Park in North Carolina and Purdue Research Park of West Lafayette in Indiana.
About Wasatch Photonics Inc.
Wasatch Photonics is headquartered in Logan, Utah, with a spectrometer R&D and manufacturing facility located in the Research Triangle Park in Durham, N.C. Wasatch Photonics provides high-resolution 3-D imaging optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging systems. Their technology provides micrometer level resolution several millimeters deep in the sample. They also manufacture spectrometers for Hyperspectral Imaging, NIR, UV-VIS, Fluorescence and Raman spectroscopy. Wasatch Photonics engineers are able to provide tailored solutions for your detection and imaging needs.
About OcuScience
Developing ophthalmic devices since 2006, OcuScience® is a maker and distributor of a precision ophthalmic devices for eye research and vision science communities. Our mission is to meet the challenging requirements of our partners with the highest quality line of devices, accessories, and support in the laboratory and clinic. Their services are tailored to the needs of M.D., Ph.D., DVM, and technologists who are advancing the art and science of ophthalmology. OcuScience is the exclusive worldwide provider of the iVivo line of products.
About Purdue Research Park
The Purdue Research Park is the largest university-affiliated business incubation complex in the country. The Purdue Research Park has four sites in the State of Indiana. They are Purdue Research Park of West Lafayette, Purdue Research Park of Indianapolis, Purdue Research Park of Northwest Indiana and Purdue Research Park of Southeast Indiana. The more than 260 companies located in the park network employ about 4,500 people who earn an average annual wage of $63,000.
Purdue Research Park contact: Steve Martin, 765-588-3342, sgmartin@prf.org
Source: Nishant Mohan, nmohan@wasatchphotonics.com
