Novare Surgical Systems, Inc. Announces First Ever Single Port Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy (TLH) Procedure Using RealHand(TM) HD Instruments

CUPERTINO, Calif., July 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Novare Surgical today announced the successful completion of what is believed to be the first ever total laparoscopic hysterectomy procedure that left no visible scar. The procedure, termed a Single Port TLH was performed by Dr. Kate O'Hanlan, F.A.C.O.G., F.A.C.S. Dr. O'Hanlan carried out the laparoscopic procedure through a single entry point -- the belly button -- with RealHand High Dexterity (HD) instruments, leaving the patient with no visible scar.

"This is a breakthrough surgical technique for women who must undergo a hysterectomy procedure," said Dr. O'Hanlan. "With the introduction of RealHand instrumentation, we are now able to address the procedure through a single entry point. This approach incorporates the clinical benefits of a total laparoscopic procedure with the advantages of improved patient comfort and cosmetic results." In the course of the procedure, Dr. O'Hanlan was also successful in removing the patient's appendix utilizing the Single Port Access (SPA) technique. The patient, a 39-year-old woman, is recovering well and was delighted with her surgery, claiming no post-operative pain and lack of a visible scar from the procedure. On a related note, 100 GYN surgeons are expected to attend Dr. O'Hanlan's Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy symposium scheduled for July 26th in San Francisco, CA.

This case comes on the heels of Monday's announcement from Drexel University College of Medicine where the first ever SPA bilateral oopherectomy (ovary removal) procedure was performed by Dr. Stephanie King. Dr. King, who has subsequently performed two additional SPA oopherectomies, employed the technique developed at Drexel using RealHand HD instruments. According to Dr. King, the 54 year-old patient is doing exceptionally well.

"This is a truly exciting development in the field of women's surgery," said Kerry Pope, Novare Surgical's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Women who are candidates for these and other gynecologic procedures can now receive surgical treatment with the important potential benefits of less post operative pain and no visible scar. It is important to note that the operative time for Dr. O'Hanlan's case was 65 minutes, well within the range of typical laparoscopic hysterectomy surgery. This is also an important milestone for Novare as RealHand HD instruments now play a pivotal role in single port surgery for both general and gynecologic surgery, two specialties with very large patient populations."

About RealHand(TM) High Dexterity (HD) Instruments for Minimally Invasive Surgery

RealHand HD instruments are the very first full range of motion hand-held laparoscopic instruments. Developed with the EndoLink(R) mechanism, RealHand technology is designed to mirror the surgeon's hand direction with the added benefit of tactile feedback. As such, when the surgeon's hand moves in one direction, the instrument tip exactly follows.

Unlike standard laparoscopic instrumentation, RealHand offers complete 7 degrees of freedom of movement in a hand-held instrument and with no need for additional hardware. Moreover, RealHand will enable surgeons to perform more difficult maneuvers that otherwise cannot be completed with traditional rigid instruments. RealHand HD instruments make it easy to actively manipulate and complete tasks regardless of whether the instrument is positioned over, under, or around structures.

RealHand HD instruments will provide for greater dexterity and control around critical structures and vasculature. The increase in range of motion will lead the way for development of new surgical approaches and techniques. RealHand instruments have received FDA 510(k) clearance.

About Novare Surgical Systems

Based in Cupertino, Calif., Novare Surgical Systems was originally founded in 1999 to develop, manufacture and market devices for cardiac surgery. RealHand was developed entirely at Novare Surgical and represents a shift in the company's focus toward devices for minimally invasive surgery. For more information, visit the company's web site at http://www.novaresurgical.com.

CONTACT: Kerry Pope, President and CEO of Novare Surgical Systems Inc.,+1-408-873-3161, kpope@novaresurgical.com

Web site: http://www.novaresurgical.com/