ST. PAUL, Minn., April 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Synovis Life Technologies, Inc. , a diversified medical device manufacturer, announced today the publication of an article showing that using the Microvascular Anastomotic Coupler System (the Coupler), the company's mechanical device for connecting blood vessels without sutures, produces a reliable, strong arterial anastomosis in less time than a sutured connection in breast reconstruction procedures. The article appears in the April issue of the Annals of Plastic Surgery. Christina Y. Ahn, M.D., is the senior author of the article; other authors are Jason A. Spector, M.D.; Lawrence B. Draper, B.A.; and Jamie P. Levine, M.D.
While many studies have focused on the use of the Coupler to connect veins, far less data is available on its use in connecting arteries, which have thicker vessel walls. "This article contributes to the scientific evidence about the use of the Coupler in connecting arteries," said Karen Gilles Larson, president and chief executive officer of Synovis Life Technologies. "Over the last decade, surgeons have increasingly used the Coupler in venous anastomoses in various surgical applications throughout the body, with anastomotic patency rates equal to or surpassing those for sutured anastomoses. Surgeons appreciate the Coupler's simplicity, dependability and time savings. This study opens a new arena for Coupler use in breast reconstruction procedures." Earlier this year, Synovis announced the publication of data on the effectiveness of the Coupler in connecting arteries in head and neck reconstruction.
The breast reconstruction article encompassed the results of retrospectively reviewed microsurgical breast reconstructions performed between 1998 and 2004 by Dr. Ahn. Sixty patients, average age 45, underwent the procedure for a total of 80 flaps or tissue transfers. The Coupler was used with 84 percent of the flaps. When a size discrepancy existed between flap and recipient vessels, the Coupler selected reflected the smaller of the two diameters. The Coupler was not used where the mismatch was significant or where the artery wall was exceptionally thick or calcified. The overall flap success rate was 100 percent.
The article concluded, "With proper vessel selection, arterial coupling may be performed in an expeditious, safe and reliable fashion with minimal morbidity. Though not commonly practiced, use of the coupling device for arterial anastomosis can provide significant time savings, especially in bilateral breast reconstruction."
About the Coupler System
The Microvascular Anastomotic Coupler System is a mechanical method for the connection of small blood vessels and is available in 1.0 mm to 4.0 mm sizes in half-millimeter increments. Quick and reliable, the Coupler is ideal for use in end-to-end vessel connection, end-to-side connection and interpositional vein grafts. In addition to saving operative time and money, the Coupler stents the vessel and provides a true intima-to-intima (inner vessel surface) blood flow surface at the connection, reducing the chance of a blood clot forming. The Coupler is sold through Synovis Micro Companies Alliance of Birmingham, Ala.
About Synovis Life Technologies
Synovis Life Technologies, Inc., based in St. Paul, Minn., is a diversified medical device company engaged in developing, manufacturing and bringing to market medical devices for the surgical and interventional treatment of disease. For additional information on Synovis Life Technologies and its businesses, visit the company's Web site at http://www.synovislife.com .
Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The statements can be identified by words such as "should", "could", "may", "will", "expect", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "continue", or other similar expressions. Certain important factors that could cause results to differ materially from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements made herein include the timing of product introductions, outcomes of clinical trials and regulatory submissions, the number of certain surgical procedures performed, the level of orders from contract manufacturing customers, and the effectiveness of the company's plan to transition to a direct sales force, as well as the other factors found in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2005.
Synovis Life Technologies, Inc.CONTACT: Nancy A. Johnson, +1-612-455-1745, or Marian Briggs,+1-612-455-1742, both of Padilla Speer Beardsley Inc., or Brett Reynolds,CFO of Synovis, +1-651-796-7300
Web site: http://www.synovislife.com/
