IRVINE, Calif., May 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Endocare, Inc. , an innovative medical device company focused on the development of minimally invasive technologies for tissue and tumor ablation, today unveiled the first cryoablation probe that provides physicians the ability to “sculpt” different sized isotherms (ice balls) to encompass tumors and tissues based on individual patient anatomy and needs. The new probe, called the V-Probe(TM), will be demonstrated by Endocare at the 2006 Annual Meeting of the American Urological Association (AUA) held May 20-25 at the Georgia World Conference Center in Atlanta.
The patent pending V-Probe allows variability of the isotherm and can create freeze zones from 2.5 - 4 cm in length, allowing the physician to adjust for different or odd-sized glands. It works with Endocare’s proprietary planning software, which measures the size and shape of the prostate, then calculates the number and placement of probes. With the V-Probe, physicians can now plan, tailor and monitor every step of the procedure using a single ablation device for the range of patients and tumors, regardless of variations in anatomy and procedure preferences.
David S. Ellis, M.D., Director of Cryotherapy Surgery, Urology Associates of North Texas, said that the V-Probe is an important advancement in ablation therapy because the adjustability of the ice ball, which is what freezes and destroys the tumor, will help provide a more accurate procedure with fewer complications.
“The new V-Probe gives the cryosurgeon the ability to custom form the ice ball to the anatomy of each individual prostate gland, which lessens the chance of damage to surrounding tissues thus decreasing complications,” Dr. Ellis said. “The V-Probe is particularly helpful in ablating tumors in anomalous shaped glands.”
Endocare Chairman and CEO Craig T. Davenport stated, “The V-Probe represents a step forward in ablation technology, allowing the cryosurgeon, for the first time, to develop isotherms within a specific clinical range with a single, adjustable instrument. In addition to the clinical advantages to having this capacity, there are other advantages such as reducing the shipping costs, storage space and inventory complexity for hospitals and service providers.”
Representatives from Endocare and the device itself will be located at booth #1045 at the Georgia World Conference Center.
About Endocare
Endocare, Inc. -- www.endocare.com -- is an innovative medical device company focused on the development of minimally invasive technologies for tissue and tumor ablation. Endocare has initially concentrated on developing technologies for the treatment of prostate cancer and believes that its proprietary technologies have broad applications across a number of markets, including the ablation of tumors in the kidney, lung and liver.
Statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Among the important factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those discussed in “Risks Related to Our Business” or “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Forms 10-K, Forms 10-Q, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such risk factors include, but are not limited to: uncertainty relating to ongoing investigations by governmental agencies; uncertainty regarding the Company’s liquidity and ability to reach and maintain profitability; the risk that the Company may be required to make state and local tax payments that exceed the Company’s settlement estimates; uncertainty regarding the Company’s re-listing on a national stock exchange; uncertainty regarding the effects of effectuating the Company’s proposed reverse stock split, in particular the possibility that the market may react negatively to the Company’s effectuation of a reverse stock split; uncertainty regarding market acceptance of the Company’s products; uncertainty of product development and the associated risks related to clinical trials; uncertainty relating to third party reimbursement; uncertainty regarding the ability to convince health care professionals and third party payers of the medical and economic benefits of the Company’s products; the Company’s limited sales, marketing and manufacturing experience; uncertainty regarding the ability to attract and retain key personnel; uncertainty regarding the ability to secure and protect intellectual property rights relating to the Company’s technology; the rapid pace of technological change in the Company’s industry; and fluctuations in the Company’s order levels. The actual results that the Company achieves may differ materially from any forward-looking statements due to such risks and uncertainties. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise, or update publicly, any forward-looking statements for any reason.
Investor Contact: Matt Clawson Allen & Caron, Inc. (949) 474-4300 matt@allencaron.comwww.allencaron.com Media Contact: Len Hall Allen & Caron, Inc. (949) 474-4300 len@allencaron.comwww.allencaron.com For Additional Information: Craig T. Davenport, CEO Michael R. Rodriguez, CFO Endocare, Inc. (949) 450-5400 www.endocare.com
Endocare, Inc.
CONTACT: Investors, Matt Clawson, matt@allencaron.com, or Media, Len Hall,len@allencaron.com, both of Allen & Caron, Inc., +1-949-474-4300, forEndocare, Inc.; Craig T. Davenport, CEO, or Michael R. Rodriguez, CFO, bothof Endocare, Inc., +1-949-450-5400
Web site: http://www.endocare.com/
