Plexus engaged as cancer diagnostic prototypes get the go-ahead

Plexus, the specialist electronic design and manufacturing services company, has entered a new phase of its relationship with France-based medical start-up SuperSonic Imagine, to deliver an ultrasound system with breakthrough technology. Having been involved throughout design and prototyping, Plexus will now help SuperSonic Imagine prepare the system for production and market approval.

SuperSonic Imagine’s technology provides a new way to assess the stiffness (also called elasticity) of tissue in a precise, quantitative and reproducible manner which is not currently available on the imaging market. This breakthrough will provide doctors with more information and the opportunity to monitor lesions in a more effective way. Plexus has been closely involved in the project from an early stage, providing PCB design, DFM/DFT, test engineering, prototype-building and creation of in-circuit and functional test equipment, as well as project management and consultancy support services.

Jacques Souquet, founder of SuperSonic Imagine, said, "We chose Plexus for their design skills and their knowledge of the special constraints and high standards required in designing medical systems. We are delighted that Plexus is able to assist us in the delivery of our first production models."

"SuperSonic Imagine’s innovative technology will capture important tissue elasticity information, enabling better diagnoses and hence better treatment. It has been extremely rewarding to help pioneer the ultrasound equipment that will support this exciting technology," said Andy Allen, VP Europe, Plexus. "We are now looking forward to playing our full part in ensuring that this system is readily available throughout Europe and the world.

By working with Plexus to finalise the product for production and delivery, SuperSonic Imagine will not only save time and effort through continuity but will gain the additional advantages of Plexus’ product manufacturing expertise and familiarity with applicable approvals procedures and quality standards. These standards include the EU Medical Device Directive (MDD), special medical-equipment safety standards including EN60601-1-4 and IEC61508, and ISO13485 quality recommendations for medical device design.

About SuperSonic Imagine’s technology
SuperSonic Imagine’s technology provides a new way to achieve palpation and will include physio-pathological data to assess the stiffness (also called elasticity) of palpable masses in a precise, quantitative and reproducible manner that does not exist today on the market. Knowing the elasticity of tissue is important because stiff tissue is linked to the development of fibrous tissue around cancer foci. This breakthrough will give doctors more information and the possibility to monitor lesions better.

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About Plexus
Plexus is an award-winning participant in the Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) industry, providing product design, test, manufacturing, fulfilment and aftermarket solutions to branded product companies in the wireline/networking, wireless infrastructure, medical, industrial/commercial and defence/security/ aerospace industries.

The Company’s unique focused factory manufacturing model and global supply chain solutions are strategically enhanced by value-added product design and engineering services. Plexus specialises in customer programmes that require flexibility, scalability, technology and quality.

Plexus provides award-winning customer service to more than 100 branded product companies in North America, Europe and Asia.

For more information, contact:
Plexus Corp (UK) Limited, Integration House, The Alba Campus, Livingston, EH54 7EG, Tel: +44 (0) 1506 424 840; Fax: +44 (0) 1506 424 864; Email: european.sales@plexus.com Web: www.plexus.com

About SSI
Supersonic Imagine is a French Société Anonyme (S.A.) located in Aix-en-Provence, in the region of Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur (PACA), where it benefits from the multicultural human resources and rich infrastructure of the region, both from a technology stand point as well as a clinical perspective.

Expert team
SuperSonic Imagine's founders are experts in the fields of ultrasound technology and medical imaging from both industry and academia.

SuperSonic Imagine has the exclusive rights to 10 patents among which the key patents from Mathias Fink's Laboratoire Ondes et Acoustique (CNRS) and Armen Sarvazyan's original patents on radiation pressure. These patents enable SuperSonic Imagine to leverage their unique platform, with superb image quality and an extremely fast frame rate. This ultra fine temporal resolution will enable SuperSonic Imagine to measure movements of tissue that have never been seen before and in particular the propagation of elastic waves generated in tissue by an ultrasound radiation force.

Forward Looking Statement – Plexus and SuperSonic Imagine
This press release may contain "forward-looking statements". All statements made in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect management's current knowledge, assumptions, beliefs, estimates, and expectations and express management's current views of future performance, results, and trends. Both Companies wish to caution readers that actual results might differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause the Companies’ actual results to materially differ from those described in the forward-looking statements. Although both these Companies believe that the forward-looking statements are accurate, there can be no assurance that any forward-looking statement will prove to be accurate. A forward-looking statement should not be regarded as a representation by the Companies that the results described therein will be achieved. Both Companies wish to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release. Both Companies assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statement after this date.

Press Contact: Nicki Langley
Neesham Public Relations
Tel: +44 (0) 1296 628180
Email: nickil@neesham.co.uk

Photo caption: The new ultrasound scanner designed by Plexus for SuperSonic Imagine has the potential to speed up cancer diagnosis.

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