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| American Medical Systems Announces First in the World Use of Product Enhancement Aimed to Reduce Infection |
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American Medical Systems, Inc. logo. (PRNewsFoto)[AG] MINNEAPOLIS, MN USA | |||
InhibiZone(TM) Designed to Inhibit Post-Operative Infection for Urology
Procedures
MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Announcing a significant step for
physicians and patients considering surgically implanted devices for erectile
dysfunction (ED), American Medical Systems (Nasdaq: AMMD) and St. Joseph's
Health Care London, today reported the first human use of an AMS product with
InhibiZone(TM), a new antibiotic surface treatment intended to help reduce
post-surgery infection.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000710/AMSLOGO )
In the U.S. alone, more than 1.2 million men annually are inadequately
served by pharmaceutical therapies for ED and are possible candidates to
receive a penile prosthesis. While infection rates are low with AMS penile
prostheses, the new InhibiZone antibiotic surface treatment on AMS' 700 series
penile prostheses aims at lowering that rate even further by inhibiting growth
of bacteria that could adhere to the device.
The first 700 series prosthesis bearing the InhibiZone treatment was
implanted by Dr. Gerald Brock, a urologist at St. Joseph's Health Centre in
London, Ontario. Dr. Brock stated, "Erectile dysfunction affects up to 50
percent of North American men between the ages of 40 and 70. Although most
men will be successfully treated with pills or other medical treatments, a
significant number fail to respond and may benefit from an implant. If
InhibiZone proves to be effective at lowering post-surgery infection, it is
definitely good news for men considering surgically implanted prosthesis for
erectile dysfunction." Dr. Brock will evaluate performance of prostheses with
the new InhibiZone surface treatment, which has been approved by Canadian
regulatory authorities.
Antibiotic and antimicrobial agent treatment on indwelling catheters and
other medical implants has been recognized to help reduce infection. The
InhibiZone surface treatment, which is clearly visible, has a marbled
appearance with golden tones. The formulation of minocycline hydrochloride
and rifampin creates a "zone of inhibition" on and surrounding the silicone
surface of the device against a wide range of organisms susceptible to the two
drugs. This antibiotic formulation elutes from the tissue-contacting surfaces
of the devices when the drugs are exposed to the warm, moist internal
environment of the body.
American Medical Systems developed the first inflatable penile prosthesis
in 1973 and now offers a family of prostheses addressing various patient
needs. More than 200,000 of the company's prostheses have been successfully
implanted and their use is widely accepted as one of the most effective
long-term treatments for ED.
American Medical Systems (AMS), headquartered in Minneapolis, is a medical
technology company with over 500 employees worldwide. Founded in 1972, it is a
leading supplier of medical devices to treat urological disorders. AMS
products include a large portfolio of devices to treat both male and female
incontinence, devices for the diagnosis and treatment of erectile dysfunction;
devices for urethral obstruction caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
(enlarged prostate disease) and advanced surgical products used in
transurethral resection of the prostate. The company markets its products in
more than 60 countries worldwide. For more information about AMS and its
products, call 800-328-3881 or visit the Web site at http://www.visitAMS.com
SOURCE American Medical Systems, Inc.
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Photo Notes:
NewsCom:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000710/AMSLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, 888-776-6555 or 201-369-3467
CONTACT:
Kimberly Eggen, Public Relations of American
Medical Systems, Kim.Eggen@visitams.com , 952-930-6326, or Betty
Dann, Communications Consultant of St. Joseph's Health Care,
519-646-6100 Ext. 64792
