Wait a nano minute.(Brief article)

Lase Med founders, one of whom is Antonella Carpenter, claim they first developed the concept in 1989 and have performed the procedure since 2000, mostly out of the firm's former North Little Rock location but in Oklahoma since late last year.

It reports to have successfully treated about 250 patients with the therapy it calls Light Induced Enhanced Selective Hyperthermia.

Lase Med says it tried to work with UAMS on the concept but was harassed by members of the Arkansas medical community when it wouldn't "hand over" its research.

A boiling point was reached last fall when Lase Med ran a full-page ad in the Race for the Cure insert in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, the fallout of which persuaded the firm to pull up roots and move west, according to a Lase Med employee and member of its board of directors.

UALR and UAMS scientists say clinical trials on humans are required before the procedure is ready to be performed on the public, and that a potential issue with nanotube toxicity needs to be fully addressed.

Lase Med says clinical trials were conducted in 2000 and claims FDA approval.

Upon learning of Monday's announcement, the Lase Med board member who spoke to us suggested legal action against UALR and UAMS might be forthcoming.

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