Aspect Medical Systems Comments on Perspective Article in June 15, 2006 New England Journal of Medicine.NEWTON, Mass. -- Aspect Medical Systems (NASDAQ NASDAQ in full National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations U.S. market for over-the-counter securities. Established in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), NASDAQ is an automated quotation system that reports on : ASPM ASPM Abnormal Spindle-Like Microcephaly Associated ASPM Asociación del Secretariado Profesional de Madrid (Spanish: Association of the Professional Secretaryship of Madrid) ASPM Armed Services Procurement Regulation Manual ) today commented on the use of its Bispectral Index(TM) (BIS) technology in execution settings as described in a Perspective article published in the June 15 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine The New England Journal of Medicine (New Engl J Med or NEJM) is an English-language peer-reviewed medical journal published by the Massachusetts Medical Society. It is one of the most popular and widely-read peer-reviewed general medical journals in the world. (NEJM NEJM New England Journal of Medicine ). The article by Dr. Robert Steinbrook, entitled "New Technology, Old Dilemma - Monitoring EEG EEG: see electroencephalography. Activity during Executions," highlighted the case of Willie Brown, Jr., who was executed by lethal injection in North Carolina North Carolina, state in the SE United States. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean (E), South Carolina and Georgia (S), Tennessee (W), and Virginia (N). Facts and Figures Area, 52,586 sq mi (136,198 sq km). Pop. in April 2006. During the execution, Brown's electroencephalogram electroencephalogram /elec·tro·en·ceph·a·lo·gram/ (EEG) (-en-sef´ah-lo-gram?) a recording of the potentials on the skull generated by currents emanating spontaneously from nerve cells in the brain, with fluctuations in potential seen as (EEG) was monitored using Aspect Medical Systems' BIS technology. "As described in this Perspective article, Aspect Medical Systems does not support the use of the BIS technology in conjunction with lethal injections," said Scott Kelley, M.D., anesthesiologist Anesthesiologist A medical specialist who administers an anesthetic to a patient before he is treated. Mentioned in: Anesthesia, General, Appendectomy, Parathyroidectomy anesthesiologist and vice president and medical director of Aspect Medical Systems. "While BIS technology has been shown to be very effective in helping clinicians reduce the incidence of intraoperative awareness and improve recovery from anesthesia, our product was never intended to be used in conjunction with lethal injections. Such use is inconsistent with Aspect's mission to improve patient's lives by helping healthcare professionals deliver the best possible patient care. In addition, it is inappropriate to use the BIS technology without the benefit of the clinical judgment provided by trained medical personnel." More information on the BIS monitor and scientific evidence supporting its intended use can be found by visiting the Aspect Medical Systems' Web site at www.aspectms.com. About BIS Monitoring Using a sensor placed on the patient's forehead, BIS monitoring translates information from the electroencephalogram (EEG) into a single number that represents each patient's level of consciousness. This number - the BIS value - ranges from 100 (indicating an awake patient) to zero (indicating the absence of brain activity). Using the BIS value to guide administration of anesthetic medication, in conjunction with other vital signs, allows clinicians to make better-informed decisions to achieve optimal anesthesia. About Aspect Medical Systems, Inc. Aspect Medical Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASPM) is a global market leader in brain monitoring technology. To date, the Company's Bispectral Index (BIS) technology has been used to assess more than 15.2 million patients and has been the subject of approximately 2,500 published articles and abstracts. BIS technology is installed in approximately 70 percent of hospitals listed in the July 2005 U.S. News and World Report ranking of America's Best Hospitals America's Best Hospitals Media & health An annual 'report card' on the quality of care received in US hospitals published by US News & World Report, that is either proudly quoted by those who are rated or dismissed by those who are not and in approximately 47 percent of all domestic operating rooms. In the last twelve months BIS technology was used in approximately 14 percent of all U.S. surgical procedures requiring general anesthesia Anesthesia, General Definition General anesthesia is the induction of a state of unconsciousness with the absence of pain sensation over the entire body, through the administration of anesthetic drugs. or deep sedation. BIS technology is available in more than 160 countries. Aspect Medical Systems has OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) The rebranding of equipment and selling it. The term initially referred to the company that made the products (the "original" manufacturer), but eventually became widely used to refer to the organization that buys the products and agreements with seven leading manufacturers of patient monitoring systems. The company is also investigating how other methods of analyzing brain waves brain waves Neurology Oscillations/sec that correspond to various types of cerebral activity, as measured on an EEG. See Electroencephalogram. may aid in the diagnosis and management of neurological diseases, including depression and Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer's disease (ăls`hī'mərz, ôls–), degenerative disease of nerve cells in the cerebral cortex that leads to atrophy of the brain and senile dementia. . For more information, visit Aspect's Web site at http://www.aspectmedical.com. Safe Harbor Statement Certain statements in this release are forward-looking and may involve risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding the benefits and potential therapeutic applications of BIS technology. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements. For example, the Company may not achieve widespread market acceptance of its BIS monitoring technology among anesthesiologists. The Company also faces other barriers to market penetration and acceptance. The Company may not be able to compete with new products or alternative techniques that may be developed by others, including third-party anesthesia monitoring products approved by the FDA FDA abbr. Food and Drug Administration FDA, n.pr See Food and Drug Administration. FDA, n.pr the abbreviation for the Food and Drug Administration. , and also faces competitive and regulatory risks relating to its ability to successfully develop and introduce enhancements and new products. Cases of awareness with recall during monitoring with the BIS system and significant product liability claims are among the factors that could limit market acceptance. There are additional factors that could cause the Company's actual results to vary from its forward-looking statements, including without limitation those set forth under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended April 1, 2006 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, any forward-looking statements represent the Company's views only as of the date of this press release and should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of any subsequent date. While the Company may elect to update forward-looking statements in the future, it specifically disclaims any obligation to do so, even if its expectations change. Therefore, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing the Company's views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Aspect, Bispectral Index and BIS are registered trademarks of Aspect Medical Systems, Inc. All other trademarks, service marks and company names are the property of their respective owners. |
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