New Pre-Clinical Data On OmniGuide's BeamPath NEURO(TM) Demonstrates Precise Cutting In Brain Tissue

Main Category: Neurology / Neuroscience
Also Included In: Clinical Trials / Drug Trials;  Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry
Article Date: 07 Jul 2009 - 1:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

OmniGuide, Inc., the developer of the first and only flexible CO2 laser fiber based on breakthrough photonic bandgap technology, announced the results of a pre-clinical study comparing the Company's fiber scalpels to conventional incision methods in neurosurgery. In the study, surgeons from the Barrow Neurological Institute reported that careful studies of incisions produced in live brain tissue with fiber delivered CO2 laser radiation produced precise cuts while minimally effecting adjacent brain tissue when compared with a widely used reference technique. The study, led by Drs. Mark Preul, Robert W. Ryan, and Robert Spetzler of the Neurosurgery Research Laboratory, Barrow Neurological Institute, in Phoenix, Arizona, was presented at the annual conference of the American Academy of Neurological Surgeons in San Diego, California.

"The study demonstrates that the flexible CO2 laser fiber was easy to use and manipulate under the operating microscope, could be accurately aimed and created precise incisions without the need to touch or manipulate the tissue," said Dr. Preul, Director of the Barrow's Neurosurgical Research Laboratory. "The device also allows surgeons to cut and coagulate with a single instrument. Given the high absorption of the CO2 laser in water, a smaller area of tissue is affected as deeper incisions are made which indicates that the BeamPath NEURO could be a valuable new tool added to the neurosurgical armamentarium."

CO2 lasers were first used in neurosurgery in 1970 but were never widely adopted because the systems available for delivering the laser energy were awkward and surgeons were limited to "line of sight" procedures. OmniGuide's BeamPath fiber is based on breakthrough fiber technology developed at MIT and exclusively licensed to OmniGuide. The company manufactures the world's first flexible fibers for CO2 laser surgery. BeamPath fibers empower surgeons to perform delicate cutting and coagulation with minimal thermal tissue damage and ultimate maneuverability, a major advantage.

"The study conducted by surgeons from the Barrow Neurological Institute, a world renowned medical center for brain and spine surgery, provides further validation of the safety and efficacy of the BeamPath fiber in neurosurgery. The ability to precisely and hemostatically cut in the brain while minimizing loss of precious brain tissue has a real potential for improving brain tumor removal efficacy," said Yoel Fink, president and CEO of OmniGuide. "Since the launch of the BeamPath NEURO, we've seen strong demand for our technology and it is becoming more widely available to a new patient population that will benefit significantly."

About OmniGuide, Inc.

OmniGuide, Inc., is the worldwide leader in precision optical scalpels for minimally invasive surgery. OmniGuide CO2 laser fiber products are clinically targeted disposable optical scalpels optimized for specific surgical procedures. The Company has recently introduced a line of fiber-enabled, portable, low-cost CO2 lasers for use in operating rooms and surgical suites. The Company designs and manufactures its fiber products in Cambridge, Mass. based on multi-material photonic bandgap fiber technology exclusively licensed from MIT. The Company distributes its products in the U.S. through a direct sales force and in Europe through distribution partners. OmniGuide is committed to developing products that improve and expand surgical treatment options, enhance clinical outcomes, and reduce treatment complexity and cost.

OmniGuide has several leading-edge flexible laser fiber scalpels for use in both hospital and office settings; leading brands include the BeamPath(TM) ENT for laryngology, airway and head and neck procedures and BeamPath(TM) OTO for otology procedures and the BeamPath(TM) NEURO for neurosurgery.

Source: OmniGuide, Inc