Avedro, Inc. announced today that the Vedera® System for performing Keraflex® has received the prestigious Gold level 2011 Medical Design Excellence Award. The Vedera System and its Keraflex procedure offer new hope to patients suffering from keratoconus, a debilitating visual impairment for which there are limited treatment options.
The Vedera System is a non-surgical microwave device that gently reshapes the keratoconic cornea in only a few seconds with its Keraflex procedure. Following a Keraflex procedure, the reshaped cornea is biomechanically stabilized and strengthened with Avedro's KXL accelerated cross-linking procedure. Until now, there has been no treatment to non-invasively reshape a keratoconic cornea and prior cross-linking alternatives required one hour to complete. The combined Keraflex and KXL procedures reshape the cornea and restore its biomechanical integrity in just minutes.
David Muller, PhD, CEO of Avedro stated, "The contribution made by Continuum to the overall design of the Vedera System, coupled with the development, engineering and manufacturing excellence of Avedro's entire team have made the Vedera system a clinical and commercial reality. The Vedera System and its Keraflex procedure now offer patients with keratoconus real hope in improving their visual acuity and in potentially helping them avoid corneal transplant."
"The team at Continuum is extremely gratified that the Vedera System has been recognized with a Gold MDEA award," said Tom Merle, Chief Development Officer at Continuum. "This breakthrough system, and the significant advantages it offers to patients, is something that we are very proud to have contributed to."