MUSE Microscopy – Winner of the 2018 Sacramento Region Innovation Awards for MedTech -Medical & Health

The third annual Sacramento Region Innovation Awards was held on November 1st, 2018. The criteria for the award, among other things, includes  that the innovation must be developed by a Sacramento region entity, it must impact the lives of patients and society, is must have an impact on its markets, and it must be innovative. This year the Medical & Health category divided into two categories:  BioPharma and MedTech

The Winner for Medical & Health – MedTech:

The winner for the Medical & Health – MedTech category for 2018 was MUSE Microscopy for  MUSE (Microscopy with Ultraviolet Sectioning Excitation) .

Microscopy is a powerful tool in medicine and biomedical research. With microscopy, healthcare professionals can investigate our cells and observe any issues that can affect our health. MUSE Microscopy is producing a new technology for light microscopy. Sample preparation is simplified from hours to minutes with a process that does not required trained personnel, organic solvents or related expense.

Based on IP developed jointly at Lawrence Livermore and UC Davis, the MUSE (Microscopy with Ultraviolet Sectioning Excitation) Microscope uses short-wavelength UV light which penetrates only microns-deep into tissue eliminating the need for precision-cut, thin specimens and even slides.

The technique does not alter samples, is non-destructive and thus preserves valuable tissue for molecular studies. Moreover, MUSE Microscope images offer a large field of view for whole-slide-like digital imaging capability and can be easily and quickly formatted through application software to provide familiar, H&E appearance, with diagnostic-quality, subcellular detail to allow easy transition for pathologists used to viewing standard slides.

The Finalists:

Honorable mention was give to two one other finalists:  

Insera Therapeutics – CLEAR Aspiration System

Insera develops of medical devices designed to treat neurovascular diseases. Stroke is a “heart attack of the brain” and is a medical emergency. Stroke causing blood clots can lead to large vessel occlusions in brain blood vessels shutting off vital oxygen and glucose to brain cells. This can result in irreversible brain damage if these clots are not removed quickly. In a variety of pre-clinical tests, Insera’s CLEAR Aspiration System consistently achieved high first-pass revascularization compared to existing products.

Precision Medical Products – Circul8 DVT Prophylaxis Unit

Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, is a blood clot that forms in a vein deep in the body. Most deep vein clots occur in the lower leg or thigh. Circul8 is intended to be an easy to use sequential compression system, prescribed by a physician, for use in the home or clinical setting to help prevent the onset of DVT in patients by stimulating blood flow in the extremities.

History of the Award

MedStart established the Claire Pomeroy Award in 2010 to recognize and celebrate outstanding achievement within our region for innovation in medical technology.

In 2016, as part of greater community involvement, MedStart formally pooled our efforts as the judging panel for the medical technology section of the Sacramento Region Innovation awards, which is hosted by Stoel Rives LLP with support from the Sacramento Business Journal and Moss Adams LLP.