Device and method for detection of prostate cancer in the surgical margin

Purpose and goal

The project has developed a multimodal instrument for the detection of cancer in the surgical margin associated with prostate cancer surgery so that the surgeon in real time can determine the extent of the surgical procedure for minimally left cancer in the surgical marginal. In this project, we conducted a risk analysis, market analysis, CE marking investigation, IPR analysis and conducted a verification study on ten human prostata. The instrument has been technically improved, the CE marking procedure documented, the IPR strategy developed and the verification study documented.

Expected results and effects

Market analysis shows a need and interests of the clinics as well as interest from investors to invest in the project, provided the plans are held. The instrument has been technically improved and a rotation arrangement has been developed to scan whole prostate. IPR analyzes yielded new ideas for further development of the instrument according to outcomes from the demand analysis. The verification study shows that the instrument can predict cancer in prostate tissue significantly but the Raman measurements are uncertain. The Raman instrument is now redesigned to overcome the problem.

Planned approach and implementation

The project has been carried out in collaboration between Västerbotten County Council (VLL), Umeå University (UMU) and Luleå Technical University (LTU). Umeå Biotech Incubator (UBI) has supported business development steps and the company MEDSENS AB owns the patent. The layout has worked very well and the competences have complemented each other perfectly (Technology, Pathology, Urology, Business Coach). The project´s finances have been managed by VLL, in collaboration with the other partie (LTU). The availability of prostate and histopathology analyzes has been a bottleneck.