Biolase granted liposuction cosmetic surgery patent.

BIOLASE Technology, Inc. (San Clemente, CA; 949-361-1200), announced that it was granted a significant new patent to use its HydroKinetic technology for liposuction and other cosmetic soft tissue procedures. Since HydroKinetic technology uses a laser combined with atomized water spray, BIOLASE expects the system in this patent to have significant benefits over conventional liposuction, such as reduced bleeding, less bruising, less trauma and less post-operative discomfort. When compared with other possible laser methods, HydroKinetics is expected to provide more effective cutting and removal of tissue without thermal damage, char or potentially harmful smoke.

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, lipoplasty (liposuction) was the most popular and fastest-growing surgical cosmetic procedure, increasing 31% from 1999 to 2000 for a total of 376,633 procedures in the United States. Cosmetic eyelid surgery ranked second among surgical procedures, up 16% to 212,133 procedures. Breast augmentation was third, rising 6% to 203,310 procedures.

Ioana Rizoiu, the named inventor and vice president of clinical research at BIOLASE, commented, "This is both a device and method patent . It is very broad in regards to electromagnetic energy including the entire spectrum of laser wavelengths and any and all sources of radiation, including all RF and electrical sources. This patent was filed as part of our overall, long-term patent strategy and is only one of many others pending approval."

Jeffrey W. Jones, BIOLASE CEO and president, explained, "This innovative patent expands the intellectual property of our HydroKinetic technology and is an important addition to our overall patent portfolio. This is another important step to expand the intellectual property for the numerous fields and applications of our core technology. At this time, BIOLASE intends to keep its current focus on dentistry. We will explore the feasibility of alliances and licensing for certain applications and expanded development."

BIOLASE is an advanced medical tech-nology company which possesses and develops advanced dental, cosmetic, aesthetic and surgical products, including Waterlase (HydroKinetic) surgical cutting systems and other advanced laser and non-laser products for the medical market. The company's products incorporate patented and patent -pending technologies in the pursuit of painless surgery. BIOLASE is the world leader in painless hard and soft tissue dental laser technology.