TORONTO, Jan. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Novadaq(R) Technologies Inc. , a developer of medical imaging systems for the operating room, and Apple Inc. held a two-hour evening event, "Join the Imaging Revolution", on Sunday, January 28, 2007 at Jimmy Love's in San Diego, California, for an estimated 100 heart surgeons from around the world. These surgeons are among the more than 2,000 attendees to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons 43rd Annual Meeting being held at the San Diego Convention Center, through January 31.
Novadaq showcased its SPY(R) Intra-operative Imaging System, a real-time visual imaging device for use during heart bypass surgery. Additionally, Apple shared how its technologies are being used in medicine and how the iPod is facilitating personal and portable medical media.
"We are delighted that Apple co-sponsored this event with Novadaq," said Dr. Arun Menawat, President and Chief Executive Officer Novadaq Technologies Inc. "Novadaq's innovations are providing medical imaging for the operating room to improve clinical outcomes and Apple is the leader of innovation in the personal computing industry. It's a synergistic fit between technologies and a perfect opportunity for cardiac surgeons to see and participate in the imaging revolution."
Speakers presented on how new technology is helping doctors use imaging in new ways to help patients and educated cardiac surgeons about Apple technology in medicine.
The SPY System is the first, and only fluorescent imaging system cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in coronary artery bypass surgery, the most common open-heart surgery in the country with approximately 400,000 patients undergoing the procedure every year. Bypass surgery is one of the only major vascular surgeries in which imaging is not yet a standard of care.
SPY enables cardiac surgeons to simply and efficiently assess the quality of blood flow through the heart during surgery. Use of the SPY System may reduce complications, and help patients avoid repeat heart procedures.
About Apple Inc.
Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning desktop and notebook computers, OS X operating system, and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital music revolution with its iPod portable music players and iTunes online store.
About Novadaq Technologies
Novadaq Technologies Inc. develops and commercializes medical imaging devices 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 Intra-operative 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 System. The HELIOS(TM) 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(TM) 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. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.novadaq.com.
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