Healthcare Industry News: cell therapy
News Release - July 10, 2007
Cook Medical and Gynecor(TM) Form Strategic Distribution Partnership
Companies Join Forces to Provide Faster, Gentler Diagnostic Method for Endometrial Cancer DetectionSPENCER, Ind.--(HSMN NewsFeed)--Cook Medical, the world's largest private medical device company, and Gynecor, a global anatomic pathology laboratory devoted to gynecology announced their partnership to provide the Tao Brush(TM) to Ob/Gyn offices across the country, thus offering a fast and gentle method of endometrial biopsy with minimal patient discomfort. The Tao Brush is designed and manufactured by Cook Medical, and this partnership makes Gynecor the exclusive distributor of the Tao Brush in the US and the UK.
The Tao Brush is an integral part of Gynecor's TruTest(TM) endometrial biopsy kit, which incorporates a gentle brushing technique to collect a uterine biopsy from a patient. The brush is enclosed in a sheath that protects the bristles from contamination during insertion and protects all collected biopsy tissue during removal. The brush and the tissue specimen are then sent to the Gynecor laboratory for processing and interpretation.
Unlike other forms of endometrial biopsy that incorporate suction or cutting to remove multiple pieces of uterine tissue, the Tao Brush uses soft bristles to procure an adequate representative sample of the patient's endometrium, facilitating early detection of abnormal cells.
Tissue collection with the brush minimizes patient discomfort, potential damage to the uterus and the potential for cancer cells being missed. The Tao Brush is able to sample up to sixty percent of the endometrial lining, as compared to roughly four percent with the most commonly used suction-based device.(1)
In addition to the brush, Gynecor's TruTest kit contains a proprietary fixative that allows pathologists to evaluate both the tissue and the cells the Tao Brush collected. No other current diagnostic test provides both tissue and cell testing from one specimen. STD results such as HPV, chlamydia and gonorrhea can also be ordered as part of the TruTest.
In announcing the partnership, Christina Anne, the Women's Health strategic business unit leader, emphasized Cook's focus on quality of life for the female patient. "The strategic partnership between Cook and Gynecor helps meet two of our important objectives. First, TruTest with the Tao Brush improves the quality of life of the female patient by providing a more gentle procedure that minimizes the pain from conventional uterine biopsies while providing specimens that can be better tested. The test's fast turnaround time may also help stem the patient's anxiety. Secondly, together, our partnership provides physicians with a state-of-the-art diagnostic test that can effectively detect early signs of endometrial cancer. As we know, early detection most often means early treatment and potentially better outcomes."
Alison Lippincott, director of marketing for Gynecor, adds "Cook's objectives align with Gynecor's core value of putting the patient above all else. No woman should have to go through a painful procedure, wait over a week for results, and risk not getting a clear diagnosis. Our goal is to address these issues by offering a comprehensive picture of the patients' uterine health with less discomfort and a more definitive result in the shortest amount of time possible."
About Cook Medical:
Cook Medical was the first company to introduce interventional devices in the United States. Today, the company participates in all global markets, integrating device design, biopharma, gene and cell therapy and biotechnology to enhance patient safety and improve clinical outcomes. Cook won the prestigious Medical Device Manufacturer of the Year for 2006 from Medical Device and Diagnostic Industry magazine. For more information, visit www.cookmedical.com.
About Cook Women's Health
The Cook Women's Health Strategic Business Unit specializes in interventional and biodesigned technologies that support assisted reproduction, pelvic reconstruction, incontinence, high-risk obstetrics and gynecologic procedures.
About Gynecor(TM)
Gynecor is the only full-service anatomic pathology laboratory devoted exclusively to gynecology with a special focus on the diseases of the female tract. Its exceptional staff includes board-certified pathologists and cyto-pathologists, an international sales force, and a dedicated client services team. Gynecor's mission is to deliver fast and accurate testing results. Gynecor's unique TruTest kits are currently processed in its Orlando, Fla. and Phoenix, Ariz., facilities and will soon to be added to the Gynecor facilities in Richmond, Va., Uniondale, N.Y .and London, England. For more information, visit www.gynecor.com.
(1) http://www.gynecor.com/article_references.html
Source: Cook Medical
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