A Medical Device Daily
Trimedyne (Irvine, California) reported it has entered into an agreement with Lumenis (Yokneam, Israel) under which Trimedyne will manufacture the DuraMax side firing laser fiber exclusively for Lumenis. The DuraMax fiber will be marketed by Boston Scientific (Natick, Massachusetts) under the Boston Scientific label in the U.S.
The new device will be used in conjunction with Lumenis' VersaPulse PowerSuite holmium laser for holmium laser ablation of the prostate, known as HoLAP. HoLAP is a rapidly growing, minimally-invasive technique for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Sometimes referred to as enlarged prostate, BPH is a condition affecting an estimated 50% of men over age 50 and up to 90% of men over 80 years of age.
With HoLAP, prostate tissue is vaporized with holmium laser energy. This “virtually bloodless” procedure provides almost immediate symptom relief with fewer complications than typically seen with TURP, the company said. Patients are typically treated on an outpatient basis and quickly return to normal activities.
“Our new, patented fiber is exciting because it's designed to vaporize soft tissue faster and last longer than other fibers on the market today,” said Glenn Yeik, Trimedyne president.
Based on laboratory testing on animal soft tissue, Trimedyne's new Fiber vaporizes an average of 3 grams to 4 grams of soft tissue per minute and lasts longer than required to treat a normal size prostate using 80 watts to 100 watts of holmium laser energy. A faster vaporization rate reduces both physician and operating room time, and increased durability means that one device should be sufficient to treat even a large prostate.
American Medical Technologies (Corpus Christi, Texas) reported that effective April 15, the company entered into an exclusive sales distribution agreement with CoreStrength (Melbourne Beach, Florida) whereby CoreStrength's sales force will distribute AMT's dental products to dental dealers throughout North America.
AMT makes dental products utilizing a patented Hydrobrasion technique and recently acquired the exclusive worldwide distribution rights to the Spectrum Dental tooth whitening product line.
AMT's hydrobrasion products are marketed under the brand names of HydroJet and support the dental professional's requirement to provide the patient with a dramatic alternative to the conventional handpiece or standard anesthetic needle. The Spectrum tooth whitening products are marketed under the brand names of Contrastpm, Contrastpm plus and Contrastam.