SAN DIEGO, Oct. 6, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- As Prostate Cancer Awareness month came to a close last week, patients and members of the medical field were provided the latest information about the diagnosis, management, treatment, and surgical solutions available for the disease. Viking Systems Inc. (OTCBB:VKSY), a designer, manufacturer and marketer of 3-D vision systems for use in minimally invasive surgical (MIS) procedures, is delivering effective, next generation solutions that address the needs of today's complex minimally Invasive surgical procedures.
Throughout September, Prostate Cancer Awareness month highlighted new findings and technologies on the topic of prostate cancer. Many learned that surgery is the most common treatment choice for prostate cancer patients; however, patients still have options once surgery has been elected. MIS has long been known for its many benefits when compared to open surgery but because the radical prostatectomy is such a complex surgical procedure, it has not been widely adopted.
Viking Systems provides technology intended to address one of minimally invasive prostatectomy's greatest limitations: adequate visualization. The Company's 3Di Digital Vision System restores natural depth perception during traditional laparoscopic procedures, therefore 3-D Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy is rapidly becoming a treatment choice for prostate cancer.
It is intuitive that natural 3-D vision, which is lost during traditional MIS, translates into benefits both for patients and hospitals. As a result, a major lesson throughout Prostate Cancer Awareness Month was teaching both surgeons and patients more about a new widely available technology that restores depth perception during laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. When working to minimize complications such as erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, pain, and blood loss, 3-D vision provides the surgeon critical information to properly assess each patient's unique situation and anatomical structures to aid in producing the best possible outcomes.
Recent figures from the American Cancer Society show that there are approximately two million men in the United Stated who are prostate cancer survivors. The National Prostate Cancer Coalition has reported that of these cases, approximately 60% were treated surgically. While some of those cases were performed as open surgery and some minimally invasively, the procedure itself is long, complex, and at times costly. As a result, there is a growing trend among hospitals to bring advanced visualization technologies into their operating rooms.
"A prostate cancer patient, when diagnosed, has important treatment decisions to make with their doctor," said Lonna J. Williams, Viking Systems' Senior Vice-President, Commercial Operations. "When the surgical approach has been chosen, it's important for patients to understand their surgical options and be aware of new technology to aid in their treatment. Annual awareness campaigns such as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month help to facilitate education and knowledge, allowing patients to stay abreast of research and enabling technologies. We at Viking are excited to be a leader in delivering effective, next generation solutions in the space."
About Viking Systems, Inc.
Viking Systems, Inc. is a designer, manufacturer and marketer of FDA-cleared, CE-marked, high-performance laparoscopic vision systems. The Company's primary branded product is the 3Di Digital Vision System, an advanced three-dimensional (3-D) vision system used by surgeons for complex minimally invasive surgery, with an initial focus on applications in urology, gynecology, bariatrics and general surgery. Viking also manufactures advanced two-dimensional (2-D) 2Di Digital Vision Systems for targeted configurations and channels, as well as 2-D cameras and components, sold through strategic partner and OEM programs.
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This press release includes forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, our ability to execute on our business plan during 2006 and beyond, our strategic planning and business development plans, our future financing needs, impacts on our financial results, and our future growth. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These risks include, but are not limited to, our ability to market our products, the success of business development efforts, competition in the industry, and our ability to manage growth, as well as the risks and other factors set forth in our periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (including our Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2005 and our Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended June 30, 2006.)