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Mortara Discloses Patent Application for T-wave Alternans Measurement Algorithm

Company pursues a patent for its technology, investigates both development of its own device and the possibility of algorithm licensing

MILWAUKEE, WI USA
7 March 2001 -

Today Mortara Instrument, Inc. disclosed its patent application for "Optimal Measurement of Repolarization Abnormalities." The patent application describes Mortara's unique approach to the measurement of an ECG repolarization phenomenon known as T-wave alternans. The presence of these T-wave alternans in patients is a possible positive indicator for risk of sudden cardiac death and the capability to accurately detect such alternans may prove to be a useful diagnostic tool for physicians in their treatment of cardiac patients.

On the subject of T-wave alternans, Mortara Instrument President and Founder, David W. Mortara, Ph.D. noted, "Throughout the last twenty years, several different ECG indicators for sudden cardiac death have been investigated. Unfortunately, to date, no single indicator has demonstrated a high degree of clinical utility and hence there has been no widespread adoption of any particular technique." Mortara further mused, "However, it is possible that efficient measurement of T-wave alternans, may represent a long-awaited new tool for cardiology caregivers and for this reason we are pursuing independent development of this technology."

Regarding the patent application, David W. Mortara, Ph.D., commented, "Mortara has decided to pursue a patent for this technology and is investigating both development of its own device and the possibility of algorithm licensing arrangements with other medical device companies. Test data sets have been acquired utilizing high-resolution resting ECG recordings, however we anticipate the possible integration of this technology in a variety of device platforms including resting ECG, stress exercise or Holter systems."

About Mortara

Mortara Instrument's headquarters are located in Milwaukee, Wis., with European operations based in Bologna, Italy. Mortara Instrument is distinguished in the field of non-invasive cardiology for the innovations that are the core of the company's complete line of ECG products. These product innovations include the integration of 12-lead ECG technology in bedside monitoring, wireless stress testing, Holter and telemetry monitoring systems. The company's web site is www.mortara.com.