Hemostatic product.

Fusion Medical Technologies, Inc., has been granted a U.S. patent covering the use of its FloSeal[R] Hemostatic Matrix Sealant and its Proceed[TM] Hemostatic Sealant, a configuration of FloSeal used for spinal applications. The patent includes 31 claims covering the use of fragmented hydrogels, including FloSeal and Proceed, made from natural or synthetic sources in sealing, hemostasis, drug delivery, tissue tract filling, and the delivery of compositions to a target site within a patient's body.

Fusion is commercializing FloSeal and Proceed for controlling bleeding in a variety of settings in which conventional means of achieving hemostasis--such as sutures, staples, topical hemostats, or fibrin glues-are impractical or generally do not work effectively. FloSeal, Proceed, and Fusion's other products in development are based on a bioresorbable and proprietary collagen-based gel. Its products in development are being developed for use as hemostatic sealants, as well as for other potential uses. Proceed is distributed worldwide exclusively by Sulzer Spine-Tech.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the sale of FloSeal and Proceed in the United States in December 1999. The FDA has not approved Fusion's other products in development.