WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) announced on Friday that Stratford innovator Kubtec Medical Imaging has been named “Innovator of the Month.” Kubtec offers innovative tools in digital X-ray equipment for specimen radiography, scientific research, forensic analysis, non-destructive testing, irradiation, and more. Kubtec produces transformative 3D breast specimen imaging systems that enable medical professionals to provide the best quality of care for their patients. The company was founded in 2005 by Vikram and Preeti Butani, initially selling products out of their Fairfield home. They now employ 30 people at their Stratford headquarters and 10 field-based staff throughout the U.S. 

“During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I’m proud to recognize the innovative work Kubtec Medical Imaging is doing right here in Connecticut. Giving surgeons the tools they need to perform more precise procedures allows patients to have a better peace of mind. Their products are being recognized all around the world and I’m looking forward to watching them continue to grow,” said Murphy.   

“Kubtec is proud to be named Innovator of the Month by Senator Murphy,” said Kubtec Medical Imaging founder and Chief Executive Officer Vikram Butani. “Our company has made great strides since its founding in Connecticut in 2005, and we are honored to receive recognition for our accomplishments alongside other emerging companies in the state. It is especially gratifying to be recognized in October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, to showcase how our 3D specimen tomosynthesis imaging system, the Mozart, helps breast cancer surgeons perform more precise surgeries and provide the best quality of care for their patients.” 

In 2015, Kubtec created one of their pioneering advances, the Mozart system, which is the first portable intra-operative breast specimen tomosynthesis system. The system allows doctors to take clear 3D images of tumor specimens in the operating room within seconds. It also enables visualization even through obstructions like dense tissue or skin while surgeons are performing lumpectomy procedures. Lumpectomies are when surgeons seek to remove the tumor but spare breast tissue. This procedure is preferable to many women. While a lumpectomy has been demonstrated to be as effective as a mastectomy, with lower risk of infection and better cosmetic outcome, 20% of these patients will need a second surgery. Some facilities and surgeons have re-excision rates as high as 35%. Mozart has helped leading breast cancer surgeons to reduce second surgery rates dramatically. A University of Texas Southwestern study of over 500 patients presented in May of 2019 at an annual meeting of the American Society of Breast Surgeons found that Kubtec’s Mozart specimen tomosynthesis system helped surgeons reduce their second surgery rates by more than 50% compared to the traditional 2D imaging methods commonly in use.

Kubtec’s technology is not only used for medical imaging, and the company is often called upon to take digital images of items like mummies, time capsules and paintings throughout the world, to verify their authenticity. 

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is the second most prevalent cancer, impacting one out of every eight women. In May, Murphy along with U.S. Senator Martha McSally (R-Ariz.), introduced the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act, bipartisan legislation to provide metastatic breast cancer patients access to support and medical care potentially years sooner than under current law. The law would waive the 5-month waiting period for Social Security Disability Insurance and the 24-month waiting period for eligible Medicare benefits.

Murphy believes entrepreneurship and innovation are the building blocks for a strong economy. In the U.S. Senate, he has introduced two bipartisan pieces of legislation to incentivize angel investors to put more money into startup companies – the Angel Tax Credit Act and the Helping Angels Lead Our Startups (HALOS) Act. Startup companies create an average of 2 million jobs each year.

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