Press Release
05.03.2008
US Urologist Turk wins award for new LIFE™ laser therapy, presented by the American Urological Association – The new Evolve™ urology laser by biolitec provides significant advantages to patients in the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH)
David S. Turk, MD, from Cleveland, Ohio, is being awarded the 2007 Thirlby Award, presented by the American Urological Association (AUA) – Short treatment durations, portability, minimal side effects and especially gentle – Patients and doctors alike are extremely satisfied with the results of the treatment and the handling of the urology laser – Patented side-fire fiber Fusion™ guarantees superior performance and reliability – Since 2008, in-patient treatment is reimbursed by statutory health insurance providers
Jena, March 5, 2008 – A new, innovative laser therapy for the treatment of the widespread disease of "prostate enlargement" in men has recently been added to the treatments offered at German urology clinics and medical practices: LIFE™ laser therapy using the Evolve™ Laser 150 by biolitec AG. LIFE™ is a simple and effective procedure for bringing true definitive care to patients with benign prostate hyperplasia. The new LIFE™ laser therapy by biolitec in Jena has been very successfully established in the US for more than a year. Now, urologist David S. Turk, MD, from Cleveland, Ohio, has been awarded the 2007 Thirlby Award for out-patient BPH treatment via laser vaporization. The branch urologist was honoured with the 2007 Thirlby Award, presented by the North Central Section of the American Urological Association (AUA) for BPH treatment using the EVOLVE™ laser system. The new LIFE™ laser therapy (Laser Induced Flow Enhancement) provides significant benefits to the patient in every respect: Use of the high-power 150 watt Evolve™ laser shortens the treatment time to 15 to 30 minutes (depending on the prostate volume to be removed). The high power of the diode laser facilitates vaporization and coagulation equally effectively, i.e. the prostate tissue can be carefully removed while at the same time preventing the possibility of strong bleeding, which occurs in conventional therapies. Other advantages of the application: It has minimal side effects, facilitates quick recovery times and there are only slight post-operative risks of incontinence and impotence. This saves the patient from having to stay several days in the hospital.
The Thirlby Award is given annually to a branch urologist and member of the AUA for the presentation of an excellent scientific project.
Urologists in Germany have been offering the new application as well since the summer of 2007. More than 20 treatment centers are currently working with the new laser and for the first time are able to offer patients the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia in a gentle manner without expensive anaesthesia, and on an out-patient basis at any clinic and urology practice.
The LIFE™ procedure incorporates both the Evolve™ laser system and the patented side-fire fiber Fusion™. Designed specifically with a patented fused cap and unique side-fire feature for soft tissue urological procedures, the Fusion fiber offers unsurpassed performance and reliability. Due to its compact size, the device is portable and can easily be incorporated into a mixed-device/mixed-procedure environment.
One out of every two men over the age of 60 and almost every 80-year-old man suffers from benign prostate hyperplasia. Since the beginning of the year, statutory insurance providers have been reimbursing the costs of in-patient treatment using biolitec therapy. This lays the initial foundation for hundreds of thousands of statutorily insured patients to get help with the new and gentle laser therapy without having to pay out of pocket.
About biolitec
biolitec is the only supplier for photodynamic therapy worldwide that offers all relevant core competencies – photosensitizers, lasers, optical fibers and a drug with Temoporfin® as the active ingredient that is licensed for use in Europe. Besides minimal invasive laser treatments and in the oncology business, biolitec has successfully developed competencies in the field of aesthetics. biolitec is listed in the Prime Standard under ISIN DE0005213409. For more information on the LIFE™ Laser, refer to www. biolitec.com.
