New Horizons in Early Diagnosis of
Life-Threatening Diseases with the Cytophone

Cancers, Infections, and Cardiovascular Disorders with a focus on Melanoma, Malaria, and Strokes

What is the Cytophone?

The Cytophone introduces a new paradigm in the early diagnosis of multiple diseases, revolutionizing the field through its utilization of In Vivo Photoacoustic Flow Cytometry (PAFC). This innovative technique identifies rare disease biomarkers circulating within the peripheral blood vessels. Operating through intact skin, the device employs a pulse laser to generate sound from fast-moving biomarkers. This sound is captured by an ultrasound transducer array attached to the skin.

The Cytophone introduces a new paradigm in the early diagnosis of diseases, revolutionizing the field through its utilization of photoacoustic detection. This innovative technique identifies rare disease biomarkers circulating within the bloodstream. Operating through intact skin, the device employs a laser to generate sound from fast-moving biomarkers. These sounds are captured by small ultrasound transducers attached to the skin.

The Cytophone Advantages

The Cytophone has a 1000x improved sensitivity threshold, detecting one melanoma cell in one liter of blood among 4 trillion healthy cells. This is analogous to finding a “needle in the haystack”– which might be easier.

NonInvasive

No Needle or Blood Draws

Safe

No skin damage, contamination, or toxicity

In Vivo

No needle or blood draws; tests within the body

No reagent injections

No adding chemical agents

Pigmentation and motion resistant

Accurate regardless of skin pigmentation or movement

Label-Free

Label-free for intrinsic biomarkers such as melanin and hemozoin

Rapid Test Results

Quick answers

The Cytophone has theranostic potential, meaning it can both detect and treat cancer and infected cells using photoacoustic and photothermal technologies.

times more Sensitive Than Existing Methods

journal articles
Published

million
in grants

History

The Cytophone is the result of fundamental, pre-clinical and clinical, studies at the University of Arkansas for Medical Science (UAMS) supported by $10.8 million in grants from the NIH, NSF, and DoD. The partnership has generated more than 200 publications and 17 papers in Nature and Science journals. Through this partnership, CytoAstra has obtained 12 United States patents, EU patents, and more pending.

CytoAstra is currently focusing on the optimization, commercialization, and comprehensive clinical validation of the licensed Cytophone technology in collaboration with partners across the medical spectrum.

The partnership with UAMS led to the FDA determination of PAFC as a Non-Significant Risk (NSR) medical device under the Investigational Device Exemption.

Additionally, three clinical trials in the United States and Africa have been completed. There are two ongoing trials, one in melanoma and the other with circulating blood clots. There is a trial pending activation with malaria.

New Horizons in Early Diagnosis ofLife-Threatening Diseases with the Cytophone