Cook Medical Launches Full Line of Resection Electrodes Enabling Urologists to Improve Prostate Health.

Resection Electrodes to Further Advance Common Procedures for the Prostate and Urethra

SPENCER, Ind. -- Cook Urology, a division of Cook Medical, the world's largest privately owned medical device company, today introduced a full line of resection electrodes for urological procedures such as Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) and Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumors (TURBT).

TURP is the gold standard treatment for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), also known as an enlarged prostate, which affects the ability of urine to pass from the bladder. Fifty percent of men aged 51-60 and 90 percent of men past age 80 are affected by an enlarged prostate. 1

TURBT is the most common procedure for treating bladder tumors. Bladder cancer accounts for 90 percent of urinary tract cancers. It is the fourth most prevalent cancer in men and the ninth most prevalent in women.

Cook offers five different types of electrodes that are compatible with all major brands of resectoscopes. The full line of electrodes enables effective prostatic or bladder tissue removal with minimal bleeding, increased visibility and decreased procedure time.

* Cutting Loop - The temperature-resistant tungsten wire cutting loop is hand-crafted and considered to be the "gold standard" for TURP.

* Coagulating Perforated Resector - The resector's patented design provides a 40 percent greater coagulation zone than standard cutting loops and performs cutting and coagulation simultaneously during tissue resection. The device creates improved visibility, reduces procedure time and produces high-quality pathology chips. The resector also reduces intraoperative bleeding.

* Dimpled Vaporization Roller - The dimpled roller vaporizes tissue by converting moisture into steam. The device offers a smoother area of vaporization than a grooved roller while its patented design provides deep-tissue coagulation.

* Roller Ball and Roller Barrel - The roller ball and roller barrel are used for coagulation and ablation of soft tissue in the bladder and prostate. The roller ball may also be used for endometrial ablation in the uterus.

* Collings Knife - The Collings knife allows urologists access to all areas of the prostate and is most commonly used for ureteral meatotomy and transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP).

"The Cook resection electrodes are a specially crafted set of instruments designed with a patient's comfort and the urologist's medical challenges in mind, enabling a safe and quick procedure ," said Jerry French, senior vice president and global strategic business unit leader for Cook Medical's urology division. "Our introduction of the full line of resection electrodes again confirms Cook's commitment to patients as we constantly strive to improve urologic and prostate health."

About Cook

With international headquarters in Bloomington, Indiana, Cook[R] Medical, the world's largest privately held medical device manufacturer, is a leading designer, manufacturer and global distributor of minimally invasive medical device technology for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Since its founding in 1963, Cook has created innovative technologies for radiology, cardiology, urology, critical care medicine, general surgery, assisted reproduction, gynecology and obstetrics, endovascular medicine, gastroenterology and endoscopy. Cook Medical was named the 2006 Medical Device Manufacturer of the Year by Medical Device & Diagnostic Industry Magazine

References

1. McConnell JD. Epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiology, and diagnosis of benign prostatic hyperplasia. In: Walsh PR, et al., eds., Campbell's Urology. Vol. 2. 7th ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Company; 1998: 1429-1452