TORONTO, June 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Novadaq Technologies Inc. , a developer of real-time medical imaging systems and image guided therapies for the operating room, announced today the results of the first clinical experience utilizing the HELIOS(TM) Fluorescence Imaging System. The study, presented by Michel C. Samson, MD, interim Chairman, Department of Plastic Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic in Florida, during the World Congress for Reconstructive Micro Surgery held in Athens, Greece, June 24 - 26, confirmed that the use of intra-operative real-time laser- assisted fluorescent imaging during free-flap breast reconstructive surgery may result in improved intra-operative decision making for surgeons performing complex plastic surgery procedures and ultimately positively impact procedural outcomes for patients.
“Free tissue transfer is the most advanced and technically demanding form of reconstructive plastic surgery. This technique is utilized when reconstructing large defects created by trauma or neoplasm,” said Dr. Michel C. Samson.
“Adequate blood-flow, both to and from transferred tissue, is the most critical component of this surgery. The ability to visually assess arterial inflow and venous return, on a real time basis, during these complex procedures assists us with intra-operative decision making and may ultimately prove to impact outcomes”, according to study co-author Martin Newman, M.D., also of Cleveland Clinic in Florida..”
Novadaq also reported that results from a pilot study of the use of the LUNA(TM) Imaging System during surgery for kidney cancer were recently presented at the 2007 annual meeting of the American Urological Association by Dragan Golijanin, M.D, a urologist from the University of Rochester in Rochester, NY. The study included detailed analysis of images obtained utilizing the LUNA System during 10 kidney cancer surgeries. Results showed that LUNA allowed surgeons to differentiate between healthy and malignant cancerous tissue which enabled more precise removal of the malignant tissue while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. A critical factor in the future health of cancer patients.
“We have significant published data that demonstrates the clinical value of our lead product, the SPY System, during open heart cardiac surgery. Now surgeons from other specialties are finding significant value in using our technology during other complex operating room procedures,” said Dr. Arun Menawat, President and CEO of Novadaq. “While SPY and the complementary surgical device for Trans Myocardial Revascularization (TMR) remain our short term revenue drivers, we are delighted to see that these new applications can significantly increase the potential opportunity for Novadaq.”
About Novadaq Technologies
Novadaq Technologies Inc. develops and commercializes medical imaging systems and real-time image guided therapies for use in the operating room. Novadaq’s proprietary imaging platform can be used to visualize blood vessels, nerves and the lymphatic system during surgical procedures. Novadaq’s SPY(R) Imaging System, commercially available worldwide, enables cardiac surgeons to visually assess coronary vasculature and bypass graft functionality during the course of open-heart surgery. Novadaq’s OPTTX(R) System which received CE Mark approval in November 2006, is aimed at the diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of wet Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) by using the same core imaging technology that is used in the SPY Imaging System. The HELIOS Imaging System, which received FDA clearance in January 2007, is the first fluorescent imaging system available for use during plastic reconstructive surgery allowing surgeons to evaluate pre- and intra-operative blood flow, as well as post-surgery perfusion. Novadaq’s LUNA Imaging System is designed to enable surgeons to visualize nerve bundles during the course of urological and neurological procedures. LUNA has been granted a license for use by Health Canada. Novadaq is also the exclusive United States distributor of PLC Medical’s CO(2) HEART LASER(TM) System for TMR (Trans-Myocardial Revascularization). Novadaq recently acquired a comprehensive portfolio of minimally invasive native tissue fluorescence imaging technology with the vision to expand the applications for this technology in Novadaq’s surgical markets. For more information, please visit the company’s website at www.novadaq.com.
Forward-Looking Information
Certain statements included in this press release may be considered forward-looking. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements, and therefore these statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. All forward-looking statements are based on Novadaq’s current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to Novadaq and relate to, among other things, anticipated financial performance, business prospects, strategies, regulatory developments, market acceptance and future commitments. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified by Novadaq in its public securities filings; actual events may differ materially from current expectations. Novadaq disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Novadaq Technologies Inc.
CONTACT: visit our website at www.novadaq.com, or contact: Arun Menawat,PhD, MBA, President & CEO, Novadaq Technologies Inc., (905) 629-3822 x 202,amenawat@novadaq.com; Michael Moore, Investor Relations, The Equicom Group,(416) 815-0700 x 241, mmoore@equicomgroup.com
