Next-Generation Coupler Assesses Blood Flow in Newly Connected Vessels
ST. PAUL, Minn., May 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Synovis Life
Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: SYNO), a diversified medical device
manufacturer, announced today it has received a U.S. patent for its Flow
Coupler, the next generation of the company's Microvascular Anastomotic
Coupler System. The Coupler is a mechanical device which connects small
blood vessels more quickly and with equal or greater reliability than hand
suturing.
The Flow Coupler incorporates a 20MHz Doppler sensor to measure blood
flow at the site where the vessel is joined (the anastomosis). The Doppler
sensor provides surgeons reliable, real time information about blood flow
through the anastomosis, enabling timely intervention in the event of a
blockage at the anastomosis site. Synovis currently expects to complete
development and verification testing of the Flow Coupler, and make a 510(k)
marketing clearance submission to the Food and Drug Administration, by the
end of calendar 2007.
"The Coupler is one of the most exciting products in our microsurgery
product portfolio, and sales have been growing consistently and
significantly," said Richard Kramp, Synovis Life Technologies president and
chief executive officer. In the fiscal first quarter ended Jan. 31, 2007,
microsurgery product sales increased to $1.1 million, up 21 percent over
the year-earlier period. Within this category, Coupler sales grew 30
percent in that same period.
Kramp continued, "We are very happy to receive a U.S. patent for this
invention, and we believe the addition of real time blood flow information
will make the Coupler an even more valuable tool for surgeons to use in
their efforts to reclaim severed limbs or renew critical blood supply to
body tissues. The Flow Coupler supports our microsurgical team's goal to be
the micro-surgeon's most trusted resource."
The Flow Coupler broadens Synovis' microsurgical product line
significantly. The company estimates the current market opportunity for the
Coupler to be $20 million annually; the Flow Coupler is expected to double
this opportunity to $40 million.
The Coupler is widely used in microvascular surgery to construct
end-to-end anastomoses. It is most commonly used in plastic and
reconstructive, head and neck, and hand surgeries. Significant benefits of
the Coupler include a patency rate (blood vessels staying open) exceeding
97 percent and a time savings for surgeons in the operating room -- a
significant cost reduction.
About Synovis Life Technologies
Synovis Life Technologies, Inc., based in St. Paul, Minn., is a
diversified medical device company engaged in developing, manufacturing and
bringing to market medical devices for the surgical and interventional
treatment of disease. For additional information on Synovis Life
Technologies and its businesses, visit the company's Web site at
http://www.synovislife.com.
Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made
pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. The statements can be identified by words such as
"should", "could", "may", "will", "expect", "believe", "anticipate",
"estimate", "continue", or other similar expressions. Certain important
factors that could cause results to differ materially from those
anticipated by the forward-looking statements made herein include the
timing of product introductions, outcomes of clinical and market trials as
well as regulatory submissions, the number of certain surgical procedures
performed, the ability to identify, acquire and successfully integrate
suitable acquisition candidates, the cost and outcome of intellectual
property litigation, and the level and timing of orders from contract
manufacturing customers, as well as the other factors found in the
company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2006.
SOURCE Synovis Life Technologies, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.synovislife.com
CONTACT:
Nancy A. Johnson, +1-612-455-1745, and Marian
Briggs, +1-612-455-1742, both of Padilla Speer Beardsley Inc.,
for Synovis Life Technologies, Inc.; or Brett Reynolds, CFO, or
Richard Kramp, President and CEO, both of Synovis Life
Technologies, Inc., +1-651-796-7300
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