California Patent of the Month – May 2024
Neptune Medical, Inc., a venture capital funded medical device start-up, has been granted a patent for a device which can enhance the visualization of the small intestine. Marketed as Pathfinder®, the device is designed to transform between flexible and rigid, on demand.
Traditional endoscopy, while effective, has limitations. It often requires anesthesia and can be invasive, making it less than ideal for routine screenings. Neptune Medical recognized these challenges and set out to develop a solution that would provide non-invasive, anesthesia-free visualization of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, particularly the small intestine.
The device comprises a camera-equipped capsule endoscope and a series of struts that extend radially outward from the capsule, forming a frame around the camera lens. These struts are designed to both maintain a field of view and distend the tissue of the small intestine as the capsule travels through the lumen.
What sets Neptune Medical’s invention apart is its ability to address the challenge of luminal collapse, a common issue in capsule endoscopy that hampers visualization. By strategically expanding the struts to form a frame, the device ensures that the camera lens remains unobstructed, providing clear and comprehensive imaging of the small intestine.
The device’s innovative design includes features such as self-expanding struts, shape memory materials, and biodegradable components, enhancing its functionality and biocompatibility. These advancements not only improve the effectiveness of the procedure but also contribute to patient comfort and safety.
Neptune Medical’s invention represents a significant step forward in the field of gastroenterology, offering a minimally invasive and patient-friendly alternative to traditional endoscopy. With its potential to improve diagnostic accuracy and increase procedural efficiency, this innovative device has the power to transform the way we approach gastrointestinal health.
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The Research & Experimentation Tax Credit (or R&D Tax Credit), is a general business tax credit under Internal Revenue Code section 41 for companies that incur research and development (R&D) costs in the United States. The credits are a tax incentive for performing qualified research in the United States, resulting in a credit to a tax return. For the first three years of R&D claims, 6% of the total qualified research expenses (QRE) form the gross credit. In the 4th year of claims and beyond, a base amount is calculated, and an adjusted expense line is multiplied times 14%. Click here to learn more.
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