Goodman Acquires Lightlab Imaging

TOKYO, August 13 -- Goodman Co. Ltd., Japanese developer of vascular interventional devices, has acquired Lightlab Imaging LLC, of Boston, Mass, a developer of optical coherence technology (OCT), which uses advanced photonics for imaging and tissue characterization. Current imaging is accomplished using near-infrared wavelengths (1300 nm) within a 0.006-inch optical fiber and can achieve resolution of approximately 4~20 microns.

The potential uses for the technology include cardiovascular imaging, cancer detection, vulnerable plaque detection and industrial applications.

"The use of OCT for cancer detection is particularly important, because it has the potential to more precisely identify and guide biopsy procedures, reduce the number of biopsies and make earlier and more accurate diagnosis possible," said Akira Yamamoto, president of Goodman.

Lightlab Imaging will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Goodman and will be included in its consolidated accounts.