Latest news with #Streptococcal
Cision Canada
07-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Light AI Strengthens Intellectual Property Portfolio with Two New European Patents
Light AI's European patent has been validated in the UK and Spain with utility patents covering 17 European countries To date, Light AI's technology has been issued five US and global patents pertaining to the image processing of Streptococcal infection in Pharyngitis VANCOUVER, BC, May 7, 2025 /CNW/ - Light AI Inc. (" Light AI" or the " Company") (CBOE CA: ALGO) (FSE: 0HC) (OTCQB: OHCFF), a healthcare technology company focused on developing artificial intelligence ("AI") health diagnostic and wellness solutions, today announced that it has expanded its patent portfolio with the addition of two new European based patents pertaining to the Company's proprietary technology; one European patent validated in the UK and Spain with another utility patent covering 17 European countries. Light AI's proprietary technology platform is an app-based solution and is core to the advancement of patient management, as it requires no swabs, lab tests, or propriety hardware of any kind. The platform's cloud-based architecture enables access from smart devices such as smartphones and tablets commonly available in medical practices. The platform, which is part of a suite of health and diagnostic wellness offerings, is designed to apply assistive AI algorithms to smartphone images, starting with oropharynx images to identify Strep A in seconds. The long-term vision is for the platform to identify a wide range of throat, eye skin and other medical conditions through the Company's AI oriented platform. "Securing these patents marks a pivotal step in our global expansion strategy and helps pave the way for our commercialization launch in Europe," says Peter Whitehead, Chief Executive Officer of Light AI. "As demand for advanced medical technologies and newer solutions continues to rise across European - and global healthcare systems - these patents not only strengthen our IP portfolio, but also position us to deliver innovative solutions at scale in one of the world's most regulated and high-potential markets in future. We are building an IP moat to fortify Light AI's first mover advantage in this space." Light AI's technology has been issued three US patents, three European patent and one Australian patent to date pertaining to the image processing of Streptococcal infection in Pharyngitis Subjects as follows: United States Patent number: 11,369,318 Patent number: 11,602,312 Patent number: 12,148,150 Australia Patent number: 2019357949 European Union Patent number: 3864669 About Light AI Inc. (CBOE CA: ALGO / FSE: 0HC / OTCQB: OHCFF) Light AI Inc. is a technology company focused on developing artificial intelligence health diagnostic solutions. Light AI is developing a technology platform which represents the next generation of patient management: it applies AI algorithms to smartphone images—starting with images of Strep A and anticipated expansion with COVID19 along with other medical conditions —to identify the disease in seconds. Its patented, app-based solution requires no swabs, lab tests or proprietary hardware of any kind—its hardware platform is the 4.5 billion smartphones that exist in the world today. Light AI is at the forefront of developing innovative diagnostic solutions aimed at improving healthcare delivery worldwide. Their cutting-edge AI powered technology offers rapid, accurate, and cost-effective diagnostic tools designed to address critical healthcare challenges. In pre-FDA validation studies, Light AI's algorithm demonstrated remarkable accuracy in differentiating between viral and bacterial pharyngitis, specifically targeting Group A Streptococcus (GAS). The algorithm achieved a 96.57% accuracy rate and attained a Negative Predictive Value of 100%, indicating its high reliability in confirming the absence of Streptococcus A infection. Viral and GAS pharyngitis affects over 600 million people annually worldwide. If left untreated, GAS pharyngitis can lead to serious complications such as Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD), which imposes a global economic burden exceeding $1 trillion annually. Light AI's technology offers a significant advancement in the accurate and timely diagnosis of GAS pharyngitis, potentially reducing the incidence of RHD and its associated costs. Light AI's approach to applying AI to smartphone images can be expanded to other throat conditions, as well as other areas of analysis, such as the human eye and skin. Light AI's vision is to combine the smartphone with AI in-the-Cloud to create a Digital Clinical Lab that provides quick and accessible diagnosis for countless conditions that today require expensive and time-consuming imaging or lab processes. Light AI's commercial launch of its consumer-facing Wellness App initial offering is anticipated to be available in North America in Q3 2025. ON BEHALF OF THE COMPANY For more information, please contact the Company at [email protected] or visit Forward-Looking Information: This news release includes information, statements, beliefs and opinions which are forward-looking, and which reflect current estimates, expectations and projections about future events, including, but not limited to, the Company's research and development and commercialization initiatives, the anticipated inflection of the business, the Company's patent and intellectual property portfolio and other statements that contain words such as "believe," "expect," "project," "should," "seek," "anticipate," "will," "intend," "positioned," "risk," "plan," "may," "estimate" or, in each case, their negative and words of similar meaning. By its nature, forward-looking information involves a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions could adversely affect the outcome of the plans and events described herein. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information, which is based on the information available as of the date of this news release. For a list of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking statements, please refer to the Company's annual information form dated April 14, 2025 and other filings made by the Company with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities (which may be viewed under its SEDAR+ profile at
The Star
04-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Hongkongers urged not to slam acupuncture treatment after ‘flesh-eating' infection
The head of an industry body for traditional Chinese medicine practitioners has said it is still too soon to jump to any conclusions after a Hongkonger suffered a 'flesh-eating infection' and had his leg amputated following an acupuncture treatment, stressing that the risk involved is low. Chan Wing-kwong, chairman of the Hong Kong Registered Chinese Medicine Practitioners Association, said on Wednesday that the case revealed by health authorities the previous day could be an isolated incident, adding that the patient had underlying illnesses. 'Residents do not need to be worried when they receive an acupuncture treatment by registered traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, as we have certain anti-infection guidelines and procedures,' Chan said during a radio programme. Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. 'This is an isolated incident. Based on the available information, this is the first time such an incident has occurred in Hong Kong ... Before the case is fully investigated, our comments and judgments will be unfair to the practitioner and patient.' The Centre for Health Protection announced on Tuesday that the Hong Kong man, 47, had undergone an amputation of his left lower leg two days after he contracted Group A Streptococcal bacteria and was diagnosed with necrotising fasciitis, following acupuncture treatment he received at two traditional Chinese medicine clinics. Necrotising fasciitis is commonly known as 'flesh-eating infection'. Department of Health personnel investigated the acupuncture treatment premises, reviewed procedures and collected environmental samples from one practitioner. It discovered that one environmental sample tested positive for Group A Streptococcus, which matched that of the affected patient's sample. The department added that during its investigation, its team suspected that the traditional Chinese medicine practitioner involved had not 'strictly followed infection control procedures'. A genetic analysis to identify the source of infection was still ongoing. 'I believe that the Chinese medicine practitioner does not only see one patient a day. They would see many of them and perform acupuncture on them as well,' Chan said. 'The issue has only occurred with one patient, so we must investigate to see whether this was the fault of the Chinese medicine practitioner.' Chan, also a lawmaker, said that traditional Chinese medicine practitioners took multiple steps to prevent infection when performing acupuncture. The steps include sterilising the treatment area with alcohol, washing their hands, using single-use needles and ensuring their hands do not touch the tip of the needle. These measures even extended to the beds to conduct treatments, with practitioners using single-use bedsheets or performing sterilisation before they are used again. Group A Streptococcus bacteria are considered the most common cause of flesh-eating infection, which can enter the body through a wound in the skin and can be transmitted by droplets and physical contact. It can cause mild diseases in healthy people, but the risk to the elderly and people with chronic illnesses like diabetes is higher, according to the Department of Health, which has called on the public to maintain good hygiene and take good care of wounds. More from South China Morning Post: For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2025.
South China Morning Post
30-04-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Is acupuncture safe in Hong Kong, and how to avoid ‘flesh-eating' infection?
A case of 'flesh-eating infection' which has left a 47-year-old man with his left lower leg amputated after acupuncture treatment has sparked public concerns over the safety of the traditional Chinese medicine practice in Hong Kong. Advertisement The Post looks into the incident, the risks of acupuncture-associated infections, and how patients can better protect themselves. What happened to the patient? The Centre for Health Protection on Tuesday revealed a case of a 47-year-old man who underwent an amputation of his left lower leg two days after developing a Group A Streptococcal infection, following acupuncture treatment he received at two traditional Chinese medicine clinics. The man developed a fever and left thigh pain on April 11 and subsequently sought care from a private hospital, where he was diagnosed with septic shock and necrotising fasciitis, commonly known as 'flesh-eating infection'. The man, who had underlying illnesses, was transferred to Queen Mary Hospital in Pok Fu Lam the next day and underwent a left lower limb amputation on April 13. His clinical specimens tested positive for Group A Streptococcus. Advertisement According to the centre, the man received acupuncture treatments on April 7, 9 and 10 from two registered traditional Chinese medicine practitioners in Sheung Wan and Causeway Bay.
RTHK
30-04-2025
- Health
- RTHK
Acupuncture fears eased over 'one-off' amputation
Acupuncture fears eased over 'one-off' amputation The Centre for Health Protection says investigators suspect that the case may have been caused by improper infection control procedures by acupuncture practitioners. File photo: RTHK A lawmaker and Chinese medicine veteran said on Wednesday there is no need for public panic and people to stop receiving all their ongoing acupuncture treatments due to fears of a serious infection. Their reassurances came after the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) said on Tuesday it was investigating the case of a 47-year-old man, who had to have his left lower leg amputated after developing a Group A Streptococcal infection, also known as a "flesh-eating disease", following acupuncture treatments. Speaking on an RTHK programme, Chan Wing-kwong, a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner and a medical-sector lawmaker, noted that the incident might be a "one-off case". "I believe everyone knows that in Hong Kong, perhaps more than several thousand people receive acupuncture treatments every day," Chan said. "According to the information I have read, it is the first time such an incident has occurred in Hong Kong." "And if I look for such cases for the world, there won't be more than 20. "This might not just be caused by acupuncture. "Before the incident is fully understood and investigated, any comments concerning the practitioners or the patients might not be fair." Chan urged residents who found acupuncture treatments to be helpful to continue with their treatments, noting other patients who received such treatments from the practitioners at the clinics involved did not report such infections. He added that one's physical condition might also play a role in susceptibility to infections. For his part, University of Hong Kong microbiologist Ho Pak-leung noted that the incident might be related to improper handling of needles during acupuncture treatments. Ho also noted that it is possible for bacteria to be transmitted to a disinfected patch of skin on the patient during the needle injection process if someone nearby sneezed or coughed. In a statement, the CHP said the man had sought treatment after spraining his back while lifting heavy projects on April 6 and subsequently experiencing pain in his left hip as well as numbness in his left leg and foot. He received acupuncture treatments from registered Chinese medical practitioners at two clinics in Sheung Wan and Causeway Bay from April 7 to 10 before developing a fever and pains in his left thigh on April 11. The man sought treatment at a private hospital and was diagnosed with septic shock and necrotising fasciitis, commonly known as 'flesh-eating disease', and was then transferred to Queen Mary Hospital where he underwent a left lower limb amputation. After reviewing samples at the clinics, the centre said investigators suspected that the case might have been caused by improper infection control procedures by practitioners when performing acupuncture, as one of the environmental samples at the Causeway Bay clinic tested positive for the infection the man developed. The centre added that the man, who had underlying illnesses, remains hospitalised in a stable condition.
South China Morning Post
29-04-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong man suffers ‘flesh-eating' infection after acupuncture, amputates leg
A 47-year-old Hong Kong man has undergone an amputation of his left lower leg two days after developing a Group A Streptococcal infection following acupuncture treatment he received at two traditional Chinese medicine clinics. Advertisement The Centre for Health Protection said on Tuesday the man developed a fever and left thigh pain on April 11, and subsequently sought care from a private hospital, where he was diagnosed with septic shock and necrotising fasciitis, commonly known as 'flesh-eating infection'. He was transferred to Queen Mary Hospital the next day, and underwent a left lower limb amputation the following day. The centre said the man, who had underlying illnesses, remained hospitalised in stable condition. Group A Streptococcal infection is caused by bacteria, namely Streptococcus pyogenes, that can be found in the throat and on the skin. It can be transmitted by droplets and contact. The centre said the initial epidemiological investigations revealed on April 6 that the patient had sprained his back while lifting heavy objects, subsequently experiencing pain in their left hip and numbness in their left leg and foot. Advertisement The patient sought traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture treatment from two registered practitioners in Sheung Wan and Causeway Bay on April 7, 9 and 10. During the incubation period, the patient did not travel overseas or sustain wounds or other skin-breaking injuries, while his household contacts did not exhibit any symptoms.
