PHOENIX, May 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Invuity, a leading developer of state-of-the-art surgical visualization and illumination technology, today announced that its advanced Eigr Breast Retractor System will be featured in several key presentations and demonstrations at the American Society of Breast Surgeons’ Annual Meeting (May 2-6) at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort in Phoenix, AZ.
Invuity’s proprietary Eigr (pronounced eye-gr) technology is designed to enhance visualization and tissue retraction during breast surgery. Invuity introduced its illuminated breast retractor system last October. Since then, the Eigr Breast Retractor System has been enthusiastically received by surgeons across the country and used in a wide range of procedures.
“Patients are looking beyond the cancer surgery and are expecting better cosmetic outcomes,” said Philip Sawyer, chief executive officer of Invuity. “Surgeons need better visualization to enable smaller incisions. With Invuity’s Eigr technology, surgeons now have the sophisticated devices they need to see and operate efficiently and effectively to satisfy the needs of their patients.”
According to the American Cancer Society, there are more than 2.5 million women in the United States who are breast cancer survivors; many chose surgery to remove the cancer. As breast cancer surgery incisions become smaller, the need for enhanced illumination and visualization increases. Invuity’s Eigr Breast Retractor System helps surgeons to better visualize delicate structures by delivering cool illumination inside the incision and directly into the surgical cavity where they need it most. The ability to see is critical, particularly in skin and nipple-sparing mastectomies, which are increasingly popular.
“The illumination of the operative field with Eigr technology enables me to improve my operative efficiency and gives me greater confidence for patient safety,” said Dr. Richard Fine, director of Advanced Breast Care of Georgia and past ASBS president. “I have much greater visualization during skin and nipple-sparing mastectomies.”
The highly engineered Eigr technology utilizes unique optical structures to control light output to a targeted operative space. Eigr technology virtually eliminates shadows, back reflection, glare and thermal effects such as overheating because surgeons can direct the light from multiple angles and efficiently manage light across a broad output surface. All of Invuity’s devices are also ergonomically designed so that surgeons have greater comfort, control and maneuverability. Invuity will also introduce additional retractor sizes to the Eigr Breast Retractor System that will allow for greater flexibility in performing various breast surgeries, including nipple-sparing and skin-sparing mastectomies, lumpectomies and axillary lymph node dissections.
“We have seen a great momentum in the use of Eigr technology among surgeons, who value its ability to help them visualize better,” said Sawyer. “As the number of tissue and nipple-sparing procedures grows, surgeons need and want the best illumination technology for their patients.”
Last year, Invuity closed $17.6 million in Series C funding designed to support the commercial launch of multiple new product introductions. The funding was led by InterWest Partners, and current investor Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers also participated.
Invuity offers a suite of products that integrate Eigr technology and address procedures in a variety of surgical specialties including spine, orthopedics and head and neck.
About Invuity
Invuity develops medical devices to dramatically improve visualization in less invasive surgeries. The company’s products incorporate its proprietary Eigr illumination technology into advanced access systems for a variety of surgical specialties. Invuity has received funding from InterWest Partners and Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers. The company is headquartered in San Francisco. For more information, visit www.invuity.com.
Invuity is a registered trademark and Eigr is a trademark of Invuity, Inc.
SOURCE Invuity
