LYON, France, Feb. 1, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- EDAP TMS SA (Nasdaq:EDAP), the global leader in high- intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for the treatment of prostate cancer, announced today the installation of its newest medical device, the Sonolith I-Sys, at three clinical centers in Poland, Portugal and Norway.
The Sonolith I-Sys is a newly designed integrated lithotripter using EDAP patented electroconductive technology -- the most advanced shockwave approach -- which, associated with our combined x-ray or ultrasound systems, make it unique to successfully disintegrating urinary stones.
Sixty patients have been successfully treated with the Sonolith I-Sys at the Specjalista Clinic in Kutno, one of the largest private urological centers in Poland, where more than 1,000 lithotripsy treatments are performed every year.
Dr. Piotr Humanski, Director of the Specjalista Clinic, commented, "We have been impressed by the high profile features of the Sonolith I-Sys lithotripter. The treatment preparation and ESWL procedure is very straight forward due to the clear software built-in the navigation platform.The quality of the x-ray imaging system allows for an efficient and easy localisation of urinary stones. The electroconductive shockwave source is very stable, efficient and secure as the device's 170mm treatment depth capability enables effective treatment in obese patients as well." Dr. Humanski continued, "The enthusiasm from the clinical team is unanimous, as the Sonolith I-Sys device provides a superior x-ray imaging system and user friendly features associated with high efficacy treatments offering the best standards for the benefits of both the patient and the hospital."
Marc Oczachowski, CEO of EDAP, said, "We are very pleased to install in Europe our first Sonolith I-Sys device with a state-of-the-art design concept that has been strongly received among the Urology community. The I-Sys represents the most advanced lithotripsy device on the market today with many standard features included that are optional upgrades on most devices today. We are confident in the initial feedback from the urology marketplace indicating that EDAP has produced a novel device that will be regarded as the new benchmark for the comparative assessment of next-generation lithotripters."
About EDAP TMS SA
EDAP TMS SA develops and markets Ablatherm, the most advanced and clinically proven choice for high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment of localized prostate cancer. HIFU treatment is shown to be a minimally invasive and effective treatment option with a low occurrence of side effects. Ablatherm-HIFU is generally recommended for patients with localized prostate cancer (stages T1-T2) who are not candidates for surgery or who prefer an alternative option, or for patients who failed radiotherapy treatment. The company also is developing this technology for the potential treatment of certain other types of tumors. EDAP TMS SA also produces and commercializes medical equipment for treatment of urinary tract stones using extra-corporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL). For more information on our new Sonolith I-Sys device, please visit our website www.edap-tms.com.
In addition to historical information, this press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These include statements regarding the Company's growth and expansion plans. Such statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, those described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Ablatherm-HIFU treatment is in clinical trials but not FDA-approved or marketed in the United States.