April 01, 2011
Dr. Daniel Boyd of the Department of Applied Oral Sciences, in collaboration with Dr. Robert Abraham of the Department of Radiology, have received Early Stage Commercialization Funding (ESCF) from Innovacorp to expedite the commercialization of a proprietary medical device called OccluRad. OccluRad is a radiopaque biomaterial, which may be injected into blood vessels in order to block blood flow to a target tissue (a process called embolization). Embolization is used for therapies such as cutting off blood flow to a tumor or to stop uncontrolled bleeding. Since OccluRad is intrinsically radiopaque its placement can be monitored using conventional imaging techniques without the need for contrast dyes; this feature, in combination with controlled biocompatibility give the OccluRad technology significant advantages over current state-of-the-art embolization materials. The ESCF will be used to enhance the safety and efficacy data suite for OccluRad and examine optimal clinical protocols for safe use. The initial target application of OccluRad is in the treatment of uterine fibroids but the researchers ultimately see great potential for use of the technology in the wider field of vascular embolization procedures.