Alliance Medical Receives 510(k) Clearance from FDA for Ultrasonic Scalpel.

PHOENIX -- Alliance Medical Corporation (Alliance), a leading reprocessor of single-use medical devices (SUDs), today announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance of Alliance's Reprocessed Ultrasonic Scalpels (510(k) # 043358). The scalpel utilizes ultrasonic energy to enable the cutting and coagulating of soft tissue.

"Alliance works closely with the FDA to ensure we meet all regulatory requirements in order to provide our customers with safe and cost effective reprocessed devices," said Liz Stoneman, RN, vice president of Client Services for Alliance Medical. "This clearance is the latest example of Alliance's commitment to providing hospitals a wide variety of devices to support their supply-cost reduction needs through reprocessing as each reprocessed device results in more than $100 in supply savings."

The ultrasonic scalpels are used for soft tissue incisions when bleeding control and minimal thermal injury are desired. The instruments can be used as an adjunct to or substitute for electrosurgery, lasers and steel scalpels in general, abdominal, pediatric, gynecologic and other open and endoscopic procedures. Models in which substantial equivalence was sought have curved, straight and blunt tipped ends and are 5 mm in diameter. Reprocessed ultrasonic scalpels have the same intended use as the original device and do not incorporate new technology, materials or design changes.

Having safely reprocessed more than 12 million SUDs, Alliance is one of the industry's most trusted device reprocessing companies, providing hands-on support for customers. Alliance employs clinically trained and experienced service technicians and account executives who utilize its clinically focused, three-phased client support program: Assessment, Implementation and Management (AIM), to set up and manage the most efficient and effective SUD reprocessing program. The savings health care facilities achieve as a result can be used for vital patient services, new medical technology and nursing salaries, all of which lead to improved patient care.

About Alliance Medical

Alliance Medical Corporation is a leading reprocessor of specific single-use medical devices (SUDs) and has safely reprocessed more than 12 million SUDs, saving hospitals and surgery centers in excess of $150 million. Alliance goes beyond providing technically superior medical device reprocessing services to deliver guaranteed maximum supply-cost savings to leading health care organizations. Alliance is differentiated by our unwavering partnership commitment, clinical implementation expertise and dedicated field associates which together ensure that we exceed our partner's goals and expectations. The Company's services focus on reducing supply costs of hospitals and surgery centers suffering from shrinking reimbursements and increasing costs. Alliance has agreements with leading national group purchasing organizations, alliances and supply chain service firms, including VHA, HealthTrust Purchasing Group (HPG), Broadlane and University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC), as well as a number of nationally recognized hospital integrated delivery networks, including Banner Health and Henry Ford Health System that collectively represent more than 4,000 health care facilities. For more information about Alliance Medical Corporation, visit www.alliance-medical.com; or call 888.888.3433.