Healthcare Industry News: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
News Release - May 19, 2006
Lumenis Announces Host of AUA 2006 Activities and Preview of New Breakthrough Laser Fiber for BPH Treatment
Responds to Increasing Adoption of HoLAP Procedure with Education by Experts, Hands-on Demonstrations - and Debuts Revolutionary HoLAP(TM) DuraMax(TM) FiberYOKNEAM, Israel, May 19 (HSMN NewsFeed) -- Lumenis® Ltd., a global developer, manufacturer and marketer of laser and light-based devices for medical, aesthetic, ophthalmic, dental and veterinary applications, announced today its American Urology Association 2006 Annual Meeting events in response to the tremendous increase in acceptance of its HoLAP procedure for BPH treatment and plans to unveil the revolutionary new DuraMax(TM) side- firing fiber for this minimally-invasive BPH procedure.
Lumenis Responds to Increasing HoLAP Demand
Lumenis has seen a dramatic increase in the adoption of its HoLAP procedure, which is performed with Lumenis' VersaPulse® PowerSuite(TM) holmium laser over the past year. Urologists have been eager for a procedure that provides an effective, less invasive treatment for BPH, as well as a cost effective laser versatile enough to treat BPH in addition to other common urological conditions such as kidney stones, tumors and strictures.
Lumenis President and CEO, Avner Raz commented, "We are pleased to offer urologists attending the AUA 2006 in Atlanta several opportunities to learn more about the HoLAP procedure -- and to preview the new DuraMax fiber, which will make the procedure even more efficient for their practices."
Offers HoLAP Procedure Experts and Hands-on Demonstrations at AUA..
-- Lunchtime Booth Presentations -- Physician experts will share clinical
successes with the HoLAP procedure, including treatment of large
prostates, at seven lunchtime presentations during the convention.
Presenters will describe their technique and share the benefits they
experience with HoLAP compared with traditional TURP and other laser
procedures.
-- Afternoon Meet the Experts Sessions -- Specific times will be scheduled
in the afternoons for physicians to discuss individual practice needs
with experienced HoLAP procedure experts.
-- AUA CME course -- Physicians will learn about holmium laser incision,
ablation and enucleation procedures during the AUA CME course Wednesday
afternoon and be presented with the large body of clinical evidence
demonstrating the effectiveness and superiority of holmium laser
treatments for BPH over traditional techniques.
-- HoLAP Dinner Presentations -- Two evening 'By Invitation Only' HoLAP
dinners will enable doctors to informally learn about the HoLAP
procedure and discuss techniques and tips with their peers.
-- Hands-on Demonstrations in Booth -- Urologists attending the 2006 AUA
who are seeking the ideal wavelength for treating BPH and the most
versatile urology laser will try their skills at the Lumenis booth
#2153, May 20th - 24th, at the Georgia World Congress Center in
Atlanta.
.. and Previews the Revolutionary New DuraMax(TM) Fiber for HoLAP(TM)
The Lumenis DuraMax fiber is the revolutionary side-fire device that is designed to vaporize prostate tissue faster and last longer than other fibers on the market today. "Lumenis and our strategic partner Boston Scientific are pleased to promote the DuraMax fiber for the HoLAP procedure in the U.S., based upon an exclusive agreement with Trimedyne that was also announced today," added Avner Raz.
The DuraMax fiber vaporizes an average of 3 to 4 grams of soft tissue per minute in the lab and lasts longer than required to treat a normal size prostate using 80 to 100 watts of holmium laser energy. A faster vaporization rate reduces both physician and operating room time, and increased durability enables even a large prostate to be treated with one device. Competitive devices often fail before completing the treatment of a large prostate, requiring the use of a second device at significant inconvenience and additional cost.
"Our new DuraMax fiber is truly breakthrough technology," continued Avner Raz. "It is specifically designed to provide superior performance for prostate vaporization. Lumenis is the leader in urology lasers, pioneering laser BPH and laser stone treatment since 1990. This new fiber is evidence of our continued commitment to bringing leading edge technology to urologists around the world. We are proud to showcase our versatile holmium laser technology and applications and to preview the upcoming addition to our already full line of holmium lasers and delivery devices at the AUA," he added.
Lumenis will market the DuraMax fiber under its own label through its sales and distributor organizations in countries other than the United States. The new device was cleared for sale by the FDA earlier this year. Lumenis and Boston Scientific expect the marketing of the DuraMax will commence in the United States and elsewhere throughout the world in the second half of 2006.
About the HoLAP Procedure
Lumenis' HoLAP procedure, holmium ablation of the prostate, is a rapidly growing minimally invasive technique for the treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, or BPH. BPH, sometimes referred to as enlarged prostate, is a condition affecting an estimated 50% of men over age 50 and up to 90% of men over 80 years of age. HoLAP is a virtually bloodless procedure performed with Lumenis' VersaPulse® PowerSuite(TM) holmium laser that provides immediate symptom relief with fewer complications than the traditional surgical procedure TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate). Patients are treated with the HoLAP procedure on an outpatient basis and return quicker to normal activities than when treated in the hospital with TURP.
About Lumenis
Lumenis is a global developer, manufacturer and marketer of laser and light-based devices for medical, aesthetic, ophthalmic, dental and veterinary applications. The Company offers a wide range of products along with extensive product support systems including training, education and service. Lumenis invests heavily in research and development to maintain and enhance its leading industry position. The Company holds numerous patents worldwide on its technologies. For more information about Lumenis and its products, log onto: http://www.lumenis.com
For More Information
For more information about Lumenis AUA events, contact your local Lumenis or Boston Scientific representative or log onto: http://www.lumenis.com
Source: Lumenis
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