Jason Koski/University Photography

Andy Levien, president and chief operating office of ArcSpan, keys into his new incubator space at Cornell's Kevin M. McGovern Family Center for Venture Development.

ArcScan, which signed on as the newest tenant Oct. 15 at Cornell’s Kevin M. McGovern Family Center for Venture Development incubator, becomes the first company there whose medical device was developed at Weill Cornell Medical College (WCMC) in New York City.

ArcScan’s Artemis III is an ultra-high resolution ultrasound ophthalmic diagnostic instrument that maps a patient’s eye in comprehensive three-dimensional images – which helps opthalmic surgeons identify potential risks for LASIK surgery patients and plan surgery for certain cataract patients.

Initially designed over 10 years ago, the Artemis is undergoing research and development for its third generation to establish state-of-the-art ophthalmic imaging. “With today’s technology, we can provide detail behind the eye with precision previously unavailable. That will help ophthalmic surgeons improve results,” says Andrew Levien, ArcScan’s president and chief executive officer.

Jason Koski/University Photography

Andy Levien, left, and Lou Walcer in the Kevin M. McGovern Family Center for Venture Development.

Physicians and researchers at WCMC designed the Artemis product in 2001. Weill Cornell ophthalmologic clinicians and researchers Dr. Jackson Coleman, Ronald Silverman, Dr. Dan Reinstein and the late Dr. Frederic L. Lizzi were the principal inventors whose work resulted in three U.S. patents. Reinstein now practices opthalmic surgery in the United Kingdom. They founded UltraLink Inc., a company that licensed the Cornell technology for ophthalmic applications and briefly marketed the original Artemis2 anterior eye scanner device. Artemis2 was FDA approved in 2002, but sales proved difficult.

ArcScan purchased the license in 2007, and now the Colorado-based company is organizing a business plan and seeking capital with the McGovern Center’s help.

Lou Walcer, director of the McGovern Center, explained that his center focuses on accelerating research and development of client technologies, validates business plans and strengthens management teams. Ultimately, the companies achieve self-sufficiency. Said Walcer: “Residency in the center and participation in the incubation program can add a great deal of value to ArcScan.”