BioSphere Medical Sponsors Uterine Fibroid Workshop at Brigham and Women's Seminar.Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers ROCKLAND, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 4, 2003 BIOSPHERE MEDICAL, (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 :BSMD) announced today that it is a sponsor of Brigham and Women's Hospital's highly acclaimed fifth annual Women's Health Women's Health Definition Women's health is the effect of gender on disease and health that encompasses a broad range of biological and psychosocial issues. Forum 2003, to be held on Saturday, November 8, 2003, at the Boston Marriott Copley Place. A wide variety of women's health issues will be discussed, including a presentation by Brigham and Women's Hospital's Richard Baum, MD, chief of the division of angiography angiography or arteriography X-ray examination of arteries and veins with a contrast medium to differentiate them from surrounding organs. The contrast medium is introduced through a catheter to show the blood vessels and the structures they supply, including and interventional radiology interventional radiology Imaging A subspecialty of radiology that provides Diagnostic information–eg, CT-guided 'skinny' needle biopsies and dye injection for analysis of various lumina and tracts–eg, arteriography, cholangiography, antegrade , and Elizabeth A. Stewart, MD, clinical director of the center for uterine fibroids Uterine Fibroids Definition Uterine fibroids (also called leiomyomas or myomas) are benign growths of the muscle inside the uterus. They are not cancerous, nor are they related to cancer. , on less invasive treatment options for the treatment of non-cancerous uterine fibroids. It is estimated that 20 to 40 percent of women in the U.S. 35 years or older experience non-cancerous uterine fibroids. It is also estimated that up to 80 percent of African American African American Multiculture A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa. See Race. women experience these fibroids Fibroids Benign tumors of muscle and connective tissue that develop within or are attached to the uterine wall. Mentioned in: Menstrual Disorders . Currently, most fibroid fibroid /fi·broid/ (fi´broid) 1. having a fibrous structure; resembling a fibroma. 2. fibroma. 3. leiomyoma. 4. in the plural, a colloquial term for leiomyoma of the uterus. symptoms are relieved by hysterectomy hysterectomy (hĭstərĕk`təmē), surgical removal of the uterus. A hysterectomy may involve removal of the uterus only or additional removal of the cervix (base of the uterus), fallopian tubes (salpingectomy), and ovaries - the surgical removal of the uterus - or by myomectomy - the surgical removal of the fibroids. However, both are in-patient procedures and require a six to eight week recovery time. Drs. Baum and Stewart will discuss several options for the treatment of fibroids, including an out-patient, uterus-saving procedure called uterine fibroid embolization Uterine Fibroid Embolization Definition Uterine fibroids are growths in the muscular tissue of the womb (uterus). Uterine fibroid embolization is non-surgical removal of the growths through the use of a tubular device called a catheter. (UFE UFE Uterine Fibroid Embolization UFE United for a Fair Economy UFE Ufficio Federale dell'Energia UFE Uniform Final Examination UFE Urban Challenge Final Event (DARPA) UFE Unidentified Flags and Ensigns UFE Unrestricted Free Agent ). UFE is performed by an interventional radiologist (IR), who is specially trained to use catheters to access blood vessels. The IR makes a small "nick" in the skin in the upper thigh and inserts a catheter into the arteries that supply the fibroids. A number of small, inert particles, such as BioSphere Medical's Embosphere(R) Microspheres, are injected at the base of the fibroid's blood supply to stop the blood flow to the fibroids. By stopping the blood flow, the fibroids will shrink and the women's symptoms regress REGRESS. Returning; going back opposed to ingress. (q.v.) and/or disappear. Recent studies support the conclusion that uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), myomectomy, and hysterectomy have similar rates of symptom control. However, these studies indicate that women who have UFE have the added benefits of reduced hospitalization, lower complication rates, a shorter recovery period, and quicker return to normal activities than women who experience myomectomy or hysterectomy. If you are interested in attending Drs. Baum and Stewart's seminar on UFE and a full-spectrum of other seminars on current women's health issues contact Brigham and Women's Hospital Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) is a hospital in the Longwood Area of the Boston, Massachusetts neighborhood of Mission Hill. With Massachusetts General Hospital, it is one of the two founding members of Partners HealthCare. at 1-800-BWH-9999, Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm. For more information on UFE call toll free: 1-877-ASK-4UFE or the Web site: www.ask4ufe.com. About BioSphere Medical, Inc. BioSphere Medical, Inc., based in Rockland, Massachusetts, is a medical device company focused on applying our proprietary microsphere Not to be confused with Glass microphere. This article largely refers to micropheres or protein protocells as small spherical units postulated by some scientists as a key stage in the origin of life. technology to medical applications using embolotherapy techniques. Our core technologies, patented bio-engineered polymers and manufacturing methods, are used to produce miniature spherical beads with uniquely beneficial properties for a variety of medical applications. Our principal focus is the treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids using a procedure called uterine fibroid embolization, or UFE. Our products are already beginning to gain acceptance in this rapidly emerging procedure as well as in a number of other, new and established medical treatments. Our strategy is two fold. First, we are seeking to grow the embolotherapy business worldwide, specifically the UFE procedure, by increasing awareness of availability of this procedure. Second, we are seeking to maintain our current technology leadership by the continuous introduction of new products and product improvements, both through internally developed and externally acquired technologies, that improve and broaden the use of embolotherapy techniques. We have received clearance in a number of countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia and the European Community, which allow us to sell our products for use in general embolization embolization /em·bo·li·za·tion/ (em?bo-li-za´shun) 1. the process or condition of becoming an embolus. 2. therapeutic introduction of a substance into a vessel in order to occlude it. procedures, including uterine fibroid embolization. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements - This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) implemented several significant substantive changes affecting certain cases brought under the federal securities laws, including changes related to pleading, discovery, liability, class representation and awards fees and of 1995, including statements with respect to the safety and effectiveness of products such as our EmboSphere (R) Microspheres. The Company uses words such as "plans," "seeks," "projects," "believes," "may," "anticipates," "estimates," "should'" and similar expressions to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and are based upon the Company's beliefs and assumptions. There are a number of important factors that may affect the Company's actual performance and results and the accuracy of its forward-looking statements, many of which are beyond the Company's control and are difficult to predict. These important factors include, without limitation, risks relating to: the failure of the Company to successfully develop, commercialize and achieve widespread market acceptance of the Embosphere(R) Microspheres and EmboGold(TM) Microsphere technologies for uterine fibroid embolization, targeted liver embolization and other applications; the failure of the Company to achieve or maintain necessary regulatory approvals, either in the United States or internationally, with respect to the manufacture and sale of its product candidates; risks relating to the Company's ability to obtain and maintain patent and other proprietary protection for its products; the absence of or delays and cancellations of, product orders; delays, difficulties or unanticipated costs in the introduction of new products; competitive pressures; the inability of the Company to raise additional funds to finance the development, marketing, and sales of its products and general economic conditions. These risk factors are further detailed in the in the Company's report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 and Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003 and other periodic reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company's estimates as of the date of this release. The Company anticipates that subsequent events and developments may cause its forward-looking statements to change. The Company specifically disclaims any obligation or intention to update or revise these forward-looking statements as a result of changed events or circumstances after the date of this press release. |
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