Devices

 News Release - March 17, 2009

KARL STORZ and InTouch Health Announce Agreement to Expand Remote Presence into Integrated Operating Rooms

Technologies Will Be Combined to Give Remote Surgeons Seamless Connectivity with Surgical Teams

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(HSMN NewsFeed)--KARL STORZ Endoscopy-America, Inc., a world leader in minimally invasive endoscopic technologies and fully integrated operating room solutions, announces that it has entered into a definitive agreement with InTouch Health®, the world leader in Remote Presence healthcare solutions. Under terms of the agreement, InTouch Health will adapt certain functionalities of its Remote Presence technology into a telementoring device that is compatible with the KARL STORZ OR1® integrated operating room solution.

This combined technology, called VisitOR1™, will enable surgeons located in different geographies to perform state-of-the-art surgical mentoring, providing a valuable physician training and collaboration tool. The VisitOR1™ system will also be compatible with InTouch Health’s existing Remote Presence robotic systems (RP-7®), providing remote physicians with seamless connectivity to hospital emergency departments, critical care units and now the operating room environment.

The integrated Remote Presence device, combined with the InTouch Health ControlStation and proprietary SureConnect™ connectivity platforms, will enable a remotely located surgeon to project his/her presence into a KARL STORZ OR1® integrated operating room. The connection will be made via a high-speed Internet connection and provide high quality, real-time bi-directional audio and video communication. The surgeon will have the ability to remotely control the VisitOR1™ system, which is positioned above the surgical field. The system is intended to provide surgeons with a fully immersive and collaborative experience within all KARL STORZ OR1® installations incorporating Remote Presence technology.

OR1® is the comprehensive operating room integration solution from KARL STORZ that seamlessly combines high-performance surgical and imaging technologies, as well as data management to offer a range of advanced capabilities. Touchscreen panels feature a realistic user interface for intuitive icon-based control, giving surgeons and OR teams complete command of system settings and functions. OR1® integrated suites encompass a broad selection of the most advanced surgical technologies, including the most advanced FULL HD video imaging system available.

“For more than 60 years, KARL STORZ has maintained an uncompromising leadership role in the industry and a commitment to offering unsurpassed quality,” said Charles H. Wilhelm, President – Chief Operating Officer, KARL STORZ. “We look forward to our new association with InTouch Health and the development of VisitOR1™, which will enable us to combine our most innovative technologies to give surgeons unprecedented capabilities and achieve a tremendous advance in development of telementoring solutions for today’s healthcare environment.”

“Our partnership with KARL STORZ further expands InTouch Health’s vision of bringing Remote Presence to all areas of the hospital,” commented Dr. Yulun Wang, Chairman and CEO of InTouch Health. “The RP-7 Robot is currently being used in applications in ICU’s, Emergency Departments and on patient floors. We are excited to work alongside an industry leader like KARL STORZ to advance Remote Presence into integrated operating rooms and extend the continuum of remote care. This OR1 integrated device furthers our vision of developing a healthcare delivery network that enables the right expertise to be at the right place at the right time, thereby improving patient care.”

About KARL STORZ Endoscopy-America

KARL STORZ Endoscopy-America, Inc. is an affiliate of KARL STORZ GmbH & Co. KG, an international leader for over 60 years in reusable endoscope technology, encompassing all endoscopic specialties. Based in Tuttlingen, Germany, KARL STORZ GmbH & Co. KG is a family-owned company that designs, engineers, manufactures and markets all its products with an emphasis on visionary design, precision craftsmanship and clinical effectiveness. For more information, call (800) 421-0837 or visit the company’s Web site at www.karlstorz.com or www.karlstorz-hd-endoscopy.com.

About InTouch Health

InTouch Technologies, Inc. (d.b.a. InTouch Health) is a privately held company based in Santa Barbara, California. The company has pioneered Remote Presence technology for healthcare providers. Through its RP-7 Remote Presence Robotic System, a proprietary mobile robotic and communications platform, doctors are able to consult with hospital-based patients and staff more easily and frequently. The InTouch Health solution leverages the time and expertise of healthcare professionals across multiple care facilities, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of care delivery. The Company has over 200 RP-7 systems deployed in acute care settings that are utilized for a range of clinical applications including stroke and multidisciplinary outreach, remote critical care coverage, on-call services and rounding. For more information about InTouch Health please visit www.intouchhealth.com.

Source: KARL STORZ

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