Company Snapshot: BLSC  Print This Story  Email This Story  Save this Link View PR Newswire's RSS Feed  Blogs Discussing this News Release  Search Blogs that Mention this News Release  Click this link to view linked Bookmarking Services Click this link to view linked Blogging Services


Bio-logic Systems Corp. Awarded FDA Clearance for Advanced Auditory Screening System

    Portable, Cost-effective Device Offers Both Next-Generation and Basic
                              Screening Options

    MUNDELEIN, Ill., Jan. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Bio-logic Systems Corp.
(Nasdaq: BLSC), a designer and marketer of computerized medical
electrodiagnostic equipment, today announced that it received Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) clearance to market an advanced auditory testing device
that can be used either as a primary infant screening tool, or to corroborate
results from a basic pass/refer hearing test.  The company's new ABaer(TM)
(automated brainstem auditory evoked response) system incorporates proprietary
hardware and software with a patented technology developed by House Ear
Institute, of Los Angeles, Calif., that is exclusively licensed to Bio-logic.
    "We are now the only company offering a full spectrum of hearing screening
and diagnostic devices for infants, as well as the only company marketing a
portable, dual-technology system with advanced features, expanded data
analyses options, a simple operating procedure, and a variety of
cost-effective disposable products," said Gabriel Raviv, chief executive
officer.  Disposable products represent an important source of recurring
revenue for Bio-logic, and at $1.5-$7 per screen, ABaer disposables should
contribute to substantial growth in the company's consumable sales.
    "With 22 states already mandating infant hearing screening and a growing
number of other states with this issue in legislation, demand for testing
devices that meet the needs and preferences of all medical personnel --
nurses, neonatalogists and audiologists -- is increasing," said Raviv.
"While the legislation has been passed, most of these states, including
heavily populated New York, Texas and California, won't begin implementing
routine hearing screening programs until June 2000, with full-scale programs
in place during 2001.  ABaer sales momentum should coincide with the
implementation and expansion of these programs."
    There are two objective methodologies for infant hearing screening, OAE
(otoacoustic emissions) and AABR (automated auditory brainstem response).  OAE
screening involves measurements of the echoes reflected from the cochlea in
response to sound in the ear canal.  OAE is the fastest, least expensive
method of testing.  As a result, some hospitals and medical practitioners
choose this option for their initial examination.  However OAE, performed
shortly after birth, has a refer rate of 5-10 percent versus the AABR method,
which has only a 2-5 percent refer rate.  The lower refer rate makes the AABR
technology the preferred method for many practitioners.  AABR screening
measures changes in brain electrical activity recorded from the scalp in
response to sound.  The National Institutes of Health recommends a two-stage
screening protocol -- the OAE for initial screening and auditory brainstem
response to confirm a preliminary OAE refer result.  Combining the two
technologies is optimal since it minimizes both operating costs and the refer
rate.
    Following the introduction of AuDX(R) in 1998, which is Bio-logic's
hand-held OAE system, ABaer is the next step in expanding its plan to offer a
comprehensive solution for hearing screening.  ABaer, purchased with the OAE
option, will address the needs of both the AABR and OAE proponents.  It will
be packaged as a portable, integrated solution for routine OAE and AABR
testing, with potential for uniform user interface, unique expandability
options and flexibility in configuration.
    In an earlier statement, Dr. Israel Raz, Bio-logic's marketing director,
said, "Our company was founded on the idea that our systems should be
expandable to perform more than one type of test and that these tests should
be upgradeable so that our customers can cost-effectively increase their
capabilities.  Healthcare providers have more flexibility in performing
screening and diagnostic procedures with our portable equipment, and our
software systems enable the user to spend less time analyzing data, which
allows them to handle more procedures."
    With its AuDX -- OAE screening system, ABaer -- AABR/OAE screening system,
and Navigator(R) -- ABR diagnostic system, Bio-logic is now better positioned
than ever to compete in the substantial hearing screening market.  The company
currently has a leading domestic market share in both OAE screening and ABR
diagnostics.  ABaer further extends its product line and increases its
competitive advantage in this growing market.  The company already has
introduced and shipped demo units of ABaer to its existing dealers, who target
the hospitals and audiologist specialist market.  ABaer will be launched in
mid-March at the American Academy of Audiology meeting.
    On average, most children born with hearing loss go undetected until they
are almost three years old, according to a study by the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention.  At this late stage, the negative impact on speech and
language development may be difficult, if not impossible to overcome.  With
AuDX and ABaer, hearing loss can be detected at birth, improving patients'
chances for normal language and learning function, and success in a regular
education setting.
    Bio-logic Systems Corp., headquartered in Mundelein, Ill., designs,
develops, assembles and markets computer-based electrodiagnostic systems for
use by hospitals, clinics, universities and physicians.  The systems conduct
tests that are typically used by medical practitioners to aid in the diagnosis
of certain neurological disorders, brain disorders and tumors, and sensory
disorders, including audiological and hearing screening and diagnosis.
    The House Ear Institute (HEI), located in Los Angeles, California, is a
world-renowned nonprofit scientific research and education center.  Through
research and education the Institute aims to improve the quality of life of
those with ear disease, hearing, balance and related disorders.  Scientists
are exploring the causes of auditory disorders on the cellular and molecular
level as well as refining the application of auditory implants and hearing
aids.

    Safe Harbor Statement
    Except for descriptions of historical facts, this release contains
forward-looking statements that involve known and unknown risks, which may
cause the company's actual results in the future to differ materially from
those currently anticipated.  These risks include, among others, fluctuations
in sales and operating results; the company's ability to recruit and train the
necessary number of sales representatives and installation technicians; any
delays or additional costs associated with the introduction of the ABaer
product; risks associated with international operations including monetary
crisis; regulatory, competitive, and contractual risks; the effects of
economic conditions; and the availability of capital to finance planned
growth, as well as other risks detailed from time to time in the company's
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

    To receive Bio-logic's latest news release and other corporate documents,
free of charge via fax, simply dial 1-800-PRO-INFO.  Use company ticker BLSC.


SOURCE Bio-logic Systems Corp.




Back to Topback to top

CONTACT:
Gabriel Raviv, CEO, or Roderick G. Johnson,
President & COO, both of Bio-logic Systems Corp., 847-949-5200,
or General Info., Leslie Hunziker, 312-640-6760, Media Info.,
Darcy Bretz, 312-266-7800, or Investor Info., Leslie Loyet,
312-640-6672, all of The Financial Relations Board, for Bio-logic
Systems