ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Sept. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- PARE Surgical, Inc. today
announced that it would present September 18, 2000 at the Emerging Medical
Technologies - East Conference in Reston, Virginia to obtain additional
funding for development and marketing of its Flexible Endoscopic Suturing
System.
The PARE system will provide gastroenterologists a low cost option that
effectively treats GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease. GERD is a
chronic digestive condition in which stomach acid backs up into the esophagus,
causing severe heartburn. The procedure, which is reversible, is performed by
inserting a four foot long flexible endoscope down the patient's throat. The
PARE device is inserted through the endoscope and places two stitches near the
muscular valve at the lower end of the esophagus. The stitches are then tied
together to tighten the valve. Performed on an outpatient basis requiring
less than 45 minutes procedure time, patients will typically return to normal
activities the next day. It is estimated that procedure cost using the PARE
gastroplication device will be less than $3,000. It will eliminate more than
$2,000 per year for a lifetime of acid-controlling medications and surgical
costs of up to $15,000.
Over 60 million American adults experience heartburn at lease once a month
and an estimated 18 million suffer from chronic heartburn at least two or
three times per week. Currently, the only noninvasive treatment option has
been acid control medication at a cost in 1999 of $8.5 billion for 90 million
prescriptions for GERD. As more of the 18,000,000 chronic heartburn sufferers
who don't respond to or don't want to take daily medication seek a
non-surgical solution, an outstanding opportunity exists for developing
effective non-invasive outpatient treatment by gastroenterologists.
A prototype device for flexible endoscopic suturing has been built by PARE
which provides for delivery of a suture and a pre-tied knot through a flexible
endoscope. Incorporating the patented knot tying technology presently
marketed in PARE's rigid Quik-Stitch Endoscopic Suturing System for
laparoscopic surgery, this new application will allow for secure suturing in
the esophagus, stomach, and colon through a flexible endoscope of varying
lengths.
PARE Surgical, Inc. (http://www.paresurgical.com) headquartered in Englewood,
Colorado is an innovative developer of medical devices for use in minimally
invasive surgery. Contact Richard Fleenor, President, 303.689.0187.
SOURCE PARE Surgical, Inc.
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.paresurgical.com
CONTACT:
Richard Fleenor, President of PARE Surgical,
Inc., 303-689-0187
|
