A Medical Device Daily

Nomir Medical Technologies (Waltham, Massachusetts), a developer of optical energy technologies for medical applications, reported that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted a central patent to Nomir that further protects its core Noveon technology.

Noveon is a light-based system that photo-biologically targets the elimination of bacterial and fungal infections through a unique, near-infrared, photo-inactivation effect, while preserving healthy tissue and promoting recovery.

Patent No. 7,470,124 protects the photo-inactivation and eradication of microorganisms as a result of application of Noveon energies through a suite of flexible root canal dispersion tips.

President/CEO Richard Burtt said, "This new US patent further protects an important portion of Nomir's anti-infective technology assets. The company is in active discussions with strategic corporate partners for the commercialization of this technology in dental markets. Nomir is committed to continuing to build a strong patent portfolio for its Noveon system, including our core focus areas, onychomycosis and MRSA."

In November 2007, Nomir received 510(k) clearance from the FDA to use its clinical versions of the Noveon system during contact and non-contact surgical procedures of the skin, subcutaneous tissues and nasal passages in dermatology, plastic surgery, podiatry, and otolaryngology.

In December 2008, Nomir received its second 510(k) clearance to utilize the advanced Noveon system for the same indications with enhanced ease and simple operational aspects, eliminating the requirement for a physician to operate the system in most states.

The Noveon is designed to effect near-infrared photo-damage and photo-inactivation of bacteria and fungi at energies and temperatures that are safe to normal and healthy tissue.

Nomir recently presented detailed data from an IRB MRSA human study at the Termis North America annual conference and exhibition in San Diego and initiated the FDA pivotal study of its Noveon device for the onychomycosis indication in May 2008, an integral step for FDA clearance of the application.