GelPOINT Path Transanal Access Platform from Applied Medical Facilitates Transanal
Surgery Including TAMIS
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA – October 20, 2011 – Applied Medical announced
today the full market release of GelPOINT
path transanal access platform. The GelPOINT path enables insufflated access
through the anus and into the rectum and lower sigmoid colon for surgical procedures,
such as Transanal Minimally Invasive Surgery (TAMIS), flap revision and fistula
repair.
TAMIS, as
presented at the 2011 American Society of Colorectal Surgeons (ASCRS) annual
meeting by Dr. Matthew Albert, Colorectal Surgeon at Florida Hospital in
Orlando, Florida, is performed to resect benign and malignant lesions in the distal
to proximal rectum. Standard laparoscopic instrumentation can be used with the GelPOINT
path to enable the resection of lesions, shortening the learning curve for surgeons
already familiar with laparoscopic and transanal local excision techniques. There
are also many advantages to patients undergoing a TAMIS procedure as opposed to
an open procedure, including no large incision, no need for a stoma, less pain,
faster recovery and a shorter hospital stay. TAMIS also leaves no visible scars
on the patient.
According to Dr. Elisabeth McLemore, colorectal surgeon at UC San Diego Moores Cancer
Center in San Diego, California, and the first surgeon to use the platform in the
Western United States, “With the use of this new surgical platform, we can now offer
patients an innovative, less invasive procedure to remove advanced polyps with significantly
less pain and scarring compared to the standard surgical procedure.” Dr. McLemore
added, “Instead of a major abdominal operation with removal and reconstruction of
the colon and rectum, we can remove the growth by operating through an existing
natural body opening." 1
In 2009, Applied Medical was approached by Dr. Albert with the need for a cost-effective
solution to facilitate the TAMIS surgical technique. Based on a modified version
of Applied Medical’s GelPOINT advanced access platform for single incision surgery,
GelPOINT path transanal access platform was developed and received FDA 510(k) clearance
to market on May 23, 2011.
"We are very impressed with the final product and look forward to it facilitating
the TAMIS procedure” said Dr. Albert. "Our group is very excited to see both physicians
and patients reap the benefits." 2
“Providing cost-effective solutions while improving patient outcomes and quality
of life is what Applied Medical is all about. True to our model, we are pleased
to introduce technology which we hope will bring these minimally invasive outcomes
to a wider range of patients,” said Serene Wachli, General Manager of the Surgical
Specialty Division at Applied Medical.
About Applied Medical
Applied Medical is a new generation medical device company committed to the pursuit
of sustainable, progressive health care solutions. Applied Medical designs, manufactures
and distributes innovative surgical products that enable enhanced patient outcomes
while advancing cost effective procedures and techniques. For more information,
visit www.appliedmedical.com and
www.gelpoint.com.
Contact:
Mary Jo Stegwell, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, 949-713-8000.
References:
- UC San Diego Health System. News Release, August 18,2011.
New Technique to Remove Large Colon Polyps, California First.
http://health.ucsd.edu/news/2011/Pages/08-18-trans-anal-minimally-invasive-surgery.aspx
- Florida Hospital. News Release, August 23, 2011.
New Colorectal Surgical Instrument for Minimally Invasive Option.
http://www.floridahospitalnews.com/new-colorectal-surgical-tool-minimally-invasive-option