LUNA Luna Innovations Incorporated

Recipient of the 2006 Patient Monitoring Technology of the Year Award PALO ALTO, Calif., Oct. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Frost & Sullivan selected Luna Innovations Incorporated (NASDAQ:LUNA) as the recipient of the 2006 Patient Monitoring Technology of the Year Award for the innovative design and development of the Embolus Detection and Classification (EDAC(TM)) QUANTIFIER, a groundbreaking blood circuit microemboli detection system. EDAC(TM) QUANTIFIER is a noninvasive, pc-based medical device that uses quantitative ultrasound technology to count emboli in ex-vivo blood circuits in real-time. Employing highly sophisticated algorithms, the system detects individual microemboli at rates over 1000 per second. This provides cardiothoracic surgeons, perfusionists and anesthesiologists with an accurate rate of emboli in the blood circuit. Emboli can take the form of solid matter or air bubbles that can enter the blood stream during invasive medical procedures such as a cardio pulmonary bypass surgery. While gas embolism is a known complication of various invasive procedures, the consequences of gas microemboli, also known as microbubbles, are not well understood and are usually overlooked in daily practice. The techniques available for the detection of air embolism are predominantly aimed at the venous circulation in the anesthesia setting. However, these methods do not allow the exclusion of embolism in all patients with intermediate or high clinical suspicion of the disease. "The EDAC QUANTIFIER could prove to be the ultimate solution for microemboli detection in extracorporeal procedures where the conventional detection methods fail to be efficient or accurate," says Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Mike Arani. "This device can rapidly identify and classify individual emboli in real-time." Unlike conventional devices that can only detect emboli in venous circulation, the EDAC system can perform microemboli monitoring in both venous and arterial blood streams. Additionally, this device allows perfusionists to identify the existence of these microbubbles, thus enabling perfusionists to potentially eliminate them at the source. One of the most significant advantages of the EDAC system is its ability to accurately detect very small emboli or microemboli that otherwise go unidentified by the current systems. "Luna Innovations has been able to achieve extraordinary success by aligning customer needs and target markets with applicable technologies," notes Arani. "The company recognized the need for more accurate and reliable microemboli detection in the large cardiopulmonary bypass surgery market, and then intelligently modified and remolded the available algorithms to produce a well-balanced, innovative and marketable solution." The potential market impact of the EDAC QUANTIFIER device becomes clear when the large number of cardiopulmonary bypass surgeries performed annually in the United States is considered. Frost & Sullivan believes that once Luna Innovations receives FDA clearance for the use of the EDAC QUANTIFIER device in cardiopulmonary bypass surgeries, this product will present itself as one of the necessary and essential patient monitoring devices within most operating rooms. Each year Frost & Sullivan presents this Award to a company that has demonstrated technological superiority within its industry. The Award recognizes the ability of the company to successfully develop and introduce new technology, formulate a well-designed product family and make significant product performance contributions to the industry. Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices in the industry. For more info about the EDAC QUANTIFIER please visit http://www.lunamedicalproducts.com/ . About Luna Innovations Luna Innovations Incorporated (NASDAQ:LUNA) researches, develops and commercializes innovative technologies in molecular technology and sensing solutions. Luna Innovations accelerates the process of bringing new and innovative products to market by focusing on technologies that can fulfill identified market needs and then takes these technologies from the applied research stage through commercialization. Luna's unique medical products are designed to help identify complications accurately, quickly and non-invasively so medical professionals can proceed with the appropriate form of treatment. Since its inception, Luna Innovations has successfully developed products for the energy, telecommunications, life sciences and defense industries. Headquartered in Roanoke, Virginia, the company has research, development and manufacturing facilities in Blacksburg, Charlottesville, Hampton and Danville, Virginia and a sales office in McLean, Virginia. Additional information can be found at http://www.lunainnovations.com/ . About Frost & Sullivan Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has been partnering with clients to support the development of innovative strategies for more than 40 years. The company's industry expertise integrates growth consulting, growth partnership services and corporate management training to identify and develop opportunities. Frost & Sullivan serves an extensive clientele that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies and the investment community by providing comprehensive industry coverage that reflects a unique global perspective and combines ongoing analysis of markets, technologies, econometrics and demographics. For more information, visit http://www.awards.frost.com/ or http://www.patientmonitoring.frost.com/ Contact: Stacie Jones 210.247.2450 DATASOURCE: Frost & Sullivan CONTACT: Stacie Jones of Frost & Sullivan, +1-210-247-2450, or Web site: http://www.frost.com/ http://www.patientmonitoring.frost.com/ http://www.awards.frost.com/ http://www.lunainnovations.com/ http://www.lunamedicalproducts.com/

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