Healthcare Industry News: Edwards Lifesciences
News Release - December 19, 2006
Viking Systems Inc. Enters the Cardiothoracic Surgical Market with Launch of the ViCam Vision System for Intra-Operative Video Monitoring
ViCam Used in Conjunction with Mitral Valve ImplantCHICAGO--(HSMN NewsFeed)--Viking Systems, Inc., (OTCBB: VKSY ), a designer, manufacturer and marketer of 3-D and 2-D high-performance surgical visualization systems, has launched the Viking Systems ViCam Vision System, a state-of-the-art, compact vision system used to monitor, manage and record complex open surgical procedures for Cardiology and other medical specialties. The ViCam Vision System has already been adopted by several leading medical centers, including Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Illinois.
On December 4, 2006, Northwestern Memorial Hospital used the Viking ViCam Vision System during an important mitral valve implantation procedure in their Cardiovascular operating room (OR) suites. The procedure featured the use of a new Edwards Lifesciences mitral annuloplasty ring designed by Dr. Patrick M. McCarthy.
"Viking Systems has a strong commitment to the Cardiothoracic surgical market, as it is a market where we can make a real difference by delivering high performance vision systems," stated Donald E. Tucker, President and CEO, Viking Systems, Inc. "We are very pleased that a prestigious institution such as Northwestern Memorial Hospital provided the venue to launch our ViCam Vision Systems."
Northwestern Memorial has three ViCam Vision Systems currently in use. Patrick McCarthy, M.D., Co-Director of Northwestern Memorial's Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute and a world-renowned cardiac surgeon, uses the ViCam Vision System daily during cardiovascular procedures, including mitral valve procedures and coronary artery bypass grafts.
With the ViCam Vision System, the surgeon, anesthesiologists, echo cardiologists, and all other surgical team members have the ability to accurately and continuously observe and monitor the surgical procedure. This helps in communications between the surgical team members, and thus assists in the coordinated and timely delivery of numerous, vital patient care activities. Dr. McCarthy also relies on ViCam's video documentation and Infomatix(TM) capabilities for his frequent educational conferences on mitral valve surgery, conducted at Northwestern Memorial and around the globe.
About Northwestern Memorial Healthcare
Northwestern Memorial HealthCare is the corporate parent of Northwestern Memorial Hospital, one of the country's leading teaching hospitals, and Northwestern Memorial Foundation, which provides fundraising and grant making support for the hospital's mission and strategic goals. The hospital affiliates/subsidiaries provide a range of healthcare services including acute and tertiary inpatient care, ambulatory care, wellness and prevention programs.
About Viking Systems, Inc.
Viking Systems, Inc. is a designer, manufacturer and marketer of FDA-cleared, CE-marked, high-performance surgical vision systems. The Company's primary branded product is the Viking 3Di Digital Vision System, an advanced three-dimensional (3-D) vision system used by surgeons for complex minimally invasive surgery, with an initial focus on applications in urology, gynecology, bariatrics and general surgery. Viking also manufactures advanced two-dimensional (2-D) Viking 2Di Digital Vision Systems for targeted configurations and channels, as well as 2-D cameras and components, sold through strategic partner and OEM programs.
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This press release includes forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, our ability to execute on our business plan during 2006 and beyond, our strategic planning and business development plans, our future financing needs, impacts on our financial results, and our future growth. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These risks include, but are not limited to, our ability to market our products, the success of business development efforts, competition in the industry, and our ability to manage growth, as well as the risks and other factors set forth in our periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (including our Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2005 and our Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended September 30, 2006.)
Source: Viking Systems
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