Phoenix, AZ (October 30, 2025) – A research team at the University of Arizona, led by Jennier Barton, PhD, who is currently serving as interim vice provost for health programs at UA Health Sciences, is redefining early detection in women’s health. The creation of the falloposcope could allow physicians to detect ovarian cancer at its earliest, most treatable stages.
“Our goal is to catch ovarian cancer before it becomes deadly. Until now, we simply didn’t have the tools to see inside the fallopian tubes, the place where this cancer often begins”, said Barton.
Developed through partnerships with leading industry experts, the falloposcope represents a remarkable feat of precision engineering.
“Working with our industry partners, we were able to push the limits of what’s possible in bio-manufacturing”, Barton said.
The team utilized the smallest optical fibers available and collaborated with specialized plastic extrusion companies to create an 800-micron tube — roughly the width of a spaghetti noodle — with four internal channels, each holding tolerances as tight as 25 microns. The company we work with on the extrusion is GenX Medical, and on the miniature lenses is GRINTECH.
Working with patients already undergoing surgery, the next round of in vivo trials is underway, thanks to those who generously allowed a few extra minutes for testing and refinement. “These trials are invaluable. Each procedure helps us improve image quality, reduce imaging time, and make the device easier for physicians to use,” Barton said.
Researchers are also studying tissue from women at high risk for ovarian cancer who have chosen preventive removal of their ovaries and fallopian tubes. An approach that enables testing without patient risk and may help identify early precancerous changes.
Collaboration has been pivotal to the falloposcope’s success. The team works closely with Banner Health physicians Dr. John Heusinkveld and Dr. Victoria Fewell, who oversee patient participation, safety, informed consent, and provide device feedback. “This work wouldn’t exist without teamwork. It brings together engineers, biomedical scientists, cancer biologists, and clinicians — along with the companies that design and manufacture our microscopic components,” Barton said.
Currently, women at high risk for ovarian cancer are identified through genetic testing, particularly for BRCA mutations, or through blood tests that look for potential cancer markers. However, these tests can produce false positives. “The falloposcope could serve as a second-line diagnostic tool. Helping physicians confirm early changes before recommending something as invasive as surgery,” Barton said.
Now patented and licensed, the technology is moving toward large-scale clinical trials and eventual FDA submission. With the right commercial partner, the falloposcope could reach patients within the next three to five years. “Our hope is to offer women a new path — one that catches ovarian cancer early, without forcing them to make impossible choices,” Barton said.
About the Phoenix Bioscience Core
The Phoenix Bioscience Core (PBC) is a 30-acre life sciences innovation district located in downtown Phoenix. It hosts Arizona’s three public research universities—Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Arizona—as well as leading genomics pioneers like the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), part of the City of Hope, and the International Genomics Consortium. The PBC also collaborates with major healthcare systems, including Banner Health, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Dignity Health, HonorHealth, Phoenix VA, and Valleywise Health, alongside a growing number of emerging life science companies. This unique concentration of research scientists and healthcare professionals fosters unprecedented collaborations, advancing precision medicine from discovery to delivery. To learn more, please visit phoenixbiosciencecore.com.
By: Madisson Simental | October 30, 2025