-Management evaluated interim results of first commercial procedures as well as physician and patient feedback-
OMER, Israel, April 9, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Medigus Ltd. (TASE: MDGS), a medical device company developing and commercializing minimally invasive endosurgical tools and procedures, announced initial commercial use of the newest version of its flagship product, the MUSE(TM) system. MUSE was recently granted 510k FDA clearance for treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The two commercial procedures took place in Turkey and the results and feedback from physicians and patients were evaluated by Medigus' management team.
MUSE enables an incisionless procedure. The device performs a surgical anterior fundoplication with standard surgical staples in a less invasive way, helping enhance patient care and potentially increase hospital efficiency through lower costs and shorter hospital stays. For GERD patients, the MUSE system offers a potential long-term solution by restoring their esophageal anatomy with a minimally invasive tool to reduce or eliminate their GERD symptoms.
"With the MUSE procedure, I was able to easily reconstruct the failing cardioesophageal sphincter by forming an effective flap in about one hour," said Hakan Sentürk M.D. Faculty of Medicine, Chief of Division of Gastroenterology, Bezmialem Vakif University (BVU) in Istanbul, Turkey, who treated his patient with the new MUSE System. Dr. Sentürk added, "The MUSE System provides us with a safe and effective alternative and, with no abdominal incisions, the patient was very pleased to experience a shorter recovery and hospital stay (18 hours). I am excited to be able to bring this important new treatment option to my patients in Turkey."
The prevalence of GERD has been on the rise worldwide and can be linked to cancer of the esophagus, one of the fastest growing cancers globally. Some GERD patients can develop changes in the lining of their esophagus leading to a condition known as Barrett's esophagus. Most cases of esophageal cancer result from this condition.[1]
"Medigus is excited to continue the launch and expanding the use of MUSE to help improve the care of patients in key markets like Turkey and we are proud of our relationships with expert therapeutic endoscopists, such as Dr. Sentürk, who are at the forefront of bringing important advancements in GERD treatment to their patients," said Chris Rowland, CEO, Medigus.
For additional information about the MUSE procedure, visit http://www.medigus.com.
About MUSE(TM)
MUSE(TM) is an intuitive endosurgical platform that consists of a single use surgical endostapler, equipped with a proprietary miniature camera, an ultrasonic sight and a range finder. The single operator system performs an anterior partial fundoplication with standard surgical staples in a less invasive way, compared to other surgical procedures.
About Medigus
Medigus is leading the transition from invasive gastric surgery procedures to less invasive, patient-friendly techniques through the development of minimally invasive endoscopic devices and procedures. The company's revolutionary MUSE(TM) system enables endoscopists and surgeons to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a chronic disease with increasing global prevalence, by performing a fundoplication procedure through the mouth. Unlike current fundoplication procedures, the MUSE(TM) system does not require abdominal incisions, which may result in shorter post-procedure recovery. The MUSE(TM) system (previously known as SRS(TM) system for transoral fundoplication) has received FDA clearance and CE mark. Medigus is traded on the TASE (Tel Aviv Stock Exchange). To learn more about the company's minimally invasive technology platform, please visit http://www.medigus.com/.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Chantal Beaudry/Martyna Gawrych
Lazar Partners Ltd.
212-867-1762
cbeaudry@lazarpartners.com
mgawrych@lazarpartners.com
INVESTOR RELATIONS:
Miri Segal-Scharia
Hayden/ MS-IR LLC
917-607-8654
msegal@ms-ir.com
[1] ASGE American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. (n.d). ASGE: Understanding GERD, Barrett's. Retrieved March 31, 2014 from http://www.asge.org/patients/patients.aspx?id=402
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