Biopsy Capability Being Developed for Gamma Medica’s LumaGEM

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. -- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Molecular breast imaging company Gamma Medica, Inc. is expanding the capabilities of its LumaGEM® Molecular Breast Imaging (MBI) System with a biopsy accessory. Gamma Medica’s technology clearly lights up tumors, even those obscured by dense breast tissue. This new LumaGUIDE^TM hardware and software package, currently a work-in-progress, will allow physicians to precisely identify and biopsy suspicious lesions. The new procedure is quick (about half the time of an MRI-guided biopsy), easy-to-use, and streamlined.

“Gamma Medica’s MBI-guided biopsy accessory will allow physicians to sample areas of abnormal radiotracer uptake that may be poorly visualized on other imaging modalities,” said Jim Calandra, CEO. “This new tool will allow physicians to take full advantage of MBI’s detection capabilities and enable them to guide radiological interventions including biopsy, marker placement, and surgical guidance.”

The new LumaGUIDE^TM accessory will offer several advantages, including:

• Depth calculation is automatically done by software: no manual calculation required. There’s a straight hub-to hub insertion of the biopsy tool.
• The use of Tc-99m Sestamibi as a tracer allows the physician to biopsy multiple or bilateral lesions with minimal patient preparation.
• After biopsy, samples can be scanned, providing immediate confirmation that the target lesion was accurately sampled.

“LumaGEM®’s 91% sensitivity and 93% specificity allows physicians to detect cancer earlier and reduce unnecessary mastectomies, especially in the approximately 40% of women who have dense breasts, where fibrous tissue blocks the view,” said James Hugg, Ph.D., CTO. “LumaGUIDE^TM includes a 3rd CZT-based camera to provide precise Cartesian targeting capabilities in the x, y and z dimensions for biopsy and surgical interventions,” said Hugg.

The LumaGUIDE^TM will be featured at Gamma Medica’s booth at RSNA, the Radiological Society of North America’s annual conference, from November 25-29^th in Chicago (Hall A, South Building, Booth #6645).

About Gamma Medica, Inc.:

Gamma Medica, Inc. (www.gammamedica.com) is dedicated to leading medical imaging into a new digital era. The Clinical Division designs, builds and services the LumaGEM® Molecular Breast Imaging (MBI) System, the first commercially available, FDA-cleared, planar, dual head, fully solid-state digital imaging system utilizing cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) technology for breast imaging.