UltraPulse SurgiTouch CO2 laser for the treatment of airway stenosis

Lumenis Ltd., the world's largest medical laser company, announced today that it supplied an UltraPulse SurgiTouch CO2 laser with Digital AcuBlade microsurgery system to the Landspitalinn University Hospital in Reykjavik, Iceland. Lumenis' state of the art laser system, was used by Dr. Paul Castellanos to perform Trans-oral Laser Microsurgery (TLM) for the treatment of airway stenosis with obstructing neurofibromatosis of the laryngopharynx on a 9-year-old girl and four other patients.

The story will air September 20th at 19:35 on RUV a prime-time news show called Frettaaukinn, which will feature the story of the 9-year-old girl who was too sick to travel and whose illness was too advanced to be treated by any other means. Iceland did not have a laser capable of performing the delicate procedure, so Lumenis flew in a system, accessories and set-up personnel.

"No other laser system can match the precision needed to perform this type of delicate procedure," stated Dr. Paul Castellanos, Associate Professor of Laryngology Bronchoesophagology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB ), and we are very grateful to Lumenis for their help in this life saving mission. I certainly could not perform such an operation without the UltraPulse coupled with the Digital AcuBlade."

Trans-oral Laser Microsurgery (TLM) is an effective treatment for many diseases that affect the larynx. It is especially effective in the treatment of laryngeal cancer to preserve both the affected organ and its functionality. The UltraPulse CO2 lasers' high power pulsed energy combined with the robotic automation of the Digital AcuBlade creates the most effective tool for performing laser-assisted microsurgery(1). For some patients, like the 9-year-old girl in Iceland, surgery with the AcuBlade is the only treatment option.

"The automated technology behind the Digital AcuBlade is what makes this type of procedure possible," said Lloyd Diamond, Sr. VP and General Manager of Lumenis' Surgical and Vision businesses, "The scanning technology eliminates hand-tremor and other external factors, which can negatively impact the outcome. Because of this new technology, procedures on delicate areas such as in the larynx can now be performed."

"Lumenis is dedicated to healing and helping people around the globe with the best and most advanced systems in the market. We will continue to ensure access to our life-saving technology around the world, and to partner with physicians, so that together we will make a difference," added Mr. Dov Ofer, CEO of Lumenis.