illuminate-ltd

Illuminate is a specialist medical imaging company, founded by experts in the fields of molecular imaging in oncology whose first product is a next generation imaging-based diagnostic device for diagnosing testicular cancer.
Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young men affecting 2,500 individuals in the UK every year, with this number is estimated to rise by 12% by 2035.
Confirmed diagnosis of testicular cancer is primarily based on the results of an ultrasound scan, the current gold standard, which is conducted via the hospital urologist following a GP referral. Other approaches (e.g. blood tests) are usually reserved for certain types of testicular cancer. The challenge with ultrasound is that the specificity of ultrasound is poor and unable to easily distinguish between malignant and benign testicular lesions. As a consequence of this, cancer diagnosis is suboptimal incurring delays in diagnosis and in some cases, misdiagnosis. Indeed misdiagnosis of malignant testicular tumours as begins occurs in up to 25% of patients. This is hugely burdensome to the NHS, costing in excess of £11 million per year, whilst also inflicting immeasurable costs to patients and reducing survival-rate by 25%.
Illuminates technology comprise testicular imaging device (TID) and specialist testicular discrimination software (TDS). The device will use near infra-red optical tomography and bespoke algorithms to improve the specificity of diagnosis to over 90%. Designed as an adjunct to ultrasound to enhance specificity, we believe this will revolutionise how testicular cancer is diagnosed by reducing misdiagnosis and speeding up cancer diagnosis. This is achieved by providing a better distinction between benign and malignant lesions than ultrasound which will better inform urologists in their clinical decision making.
Illuminate is currently running simulations to aid the development of the TID prototype. TID prototype will be used to analyse ex vivo testicular lesions.

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