Seacoast Technologies Inc. Successfully Treats First Neurosurgical Patient.Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers PORTSMOUTH, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 12, 2004 Neuroprotective Application of Local and Profound Hypothermia hypothermia Abnormally low body temperature, with slowing of physiological activity. It is artificially induced (usually with ice baths) for certain surgical procedures and cancer treatments. in Cerebral Aneurysm Cerebral Aneurysm Definition A cerebral aneurysm occurs at a weak point in the wall of a blood vessel (artery) that supplies blood to the brain. Because of the flaw, the artery wall bulges outward and fills with blood. This bulge is called an aneurysm. Patient Treated at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, IL. Seacoast Technologies Inc., an innovator in delivering local and profound hypothermia technology in neurosurgery neurosurgery /neu·ro·sur·gery/ (noor´o-sur?jer-e) surgery of the nervous system. neu·ro·sur·ger·y n. Surgery on any part of the nervous system. and neurocritical care Neurocritical care or neurointensive care is a branch of medicine that emerged in the 1980’s and deals with life-threatening diseases of the nervous system, which are those that involve the brain, spinal cord and nerves. , today announced the first human application of their ChillerStrip(TM) system during cerebral aneurysm surgery. The ChillerStrip(TM) system induces and maintains an application of hypothermia onto the surface of the brain during intraoperative neurosurgery. The elective procedure was performed by Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch neurosurgeon neurosurgeon a physician who specializes in neurosurgery. neurosurgeon A surgeon specialized in managing diseases of the brain, spine and peripheral nerves Meat & potatoes diseases Brain tumors, spinal cord disease Salary $245K + 15% bonus. , Dr. Demetrius Lopes, at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, on a patient requiring the placement of a surgical clip on an unruptured middle cerebral artery Noun 1. middle cerebral artery - one of two branches of the internal carotid artery; divides into three branches arteria cerebri, cerebral artery - any of the arteries supplying blood to the cerebral cortex aneurysm aneurysm (ăn`y  rĭzəm), localized dilatation of a blood vessel, particularly an artery, or the heart. . The ChillerStrip(TM) device was placed on the exposed surface of the cortex during the neurosurgery over the area served by the middle cerebral artery to provide neuroprotection during the operative procedure. "Seacoast's ChillerStrip(TM) safely cooled a localized region of the brain during the aneurysm clipping procedure" said Dr. Lopes, the principal investigator Noun 1. principal investigator - the scientist in charge of an experiment or research projectPI scientist - a person with advanced knowledge of one or more sciences for Seacoast at Rush. "We are very excited about the prospects for this technology, and feel that this product opens the door for future uses of local and profound hypothermia in various neurosurgical and neurointensive care applications." The initiation of Seacoast's first human clinical trial is the result of an extensive research and development effort by clinicians and Seacoast's scientists and engineers. Seacoast's local and profound cooling technology offers several potential advantages over current hypothermia methods performed in neurosurgery and neurointensive care. The technology induces temperatures as low as 15(degrees)C on the surface of the brain directly over the cortex. Traditional methods of inducing hypothermia are not local, but systemic, involving the cooling of the entire body to decrease brain temperature. The temperatures achieved are much warmer (32-34(degrees)C) and subject to slower cooling profiles and potential complications throughout the body. "This is a major milestone for Seacoast Technologies," said President and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. Dr. Donald J. Larnard. "The Company has positioned itself with a revolutionary technology that has taken three years to develop and test. Seacoast has overcome enormous engineering and clinical challenges to bring this technology to the marketplace and now is a company that represents a unique clinical and business opportunity." About Seacoast Technologies, Inc. Seacoast is a therapeutic medical devices company and an innovator in the application of local and profound hypothermia in neurosurgery and neurocritical care. Established in 2000 with over 20 current employees, the Company is developing three product lines to address unmet needs in areas such as brain trauma, stroke, intracerebral hemorrhages, decompressive hemicraniectomy, post-surgical trauma and aneurysm surgery. The use of cold temperatures to provide neuroprotection and reduce cerebral edema cerebral edema n. Brain swelling due to increased volume of the extravascular compartment from the uptake of water in the gray and white matter. Cerebral edema Fluid collecting in the brain, causing tissue to swell. has long been proven and using local and profound cooling offers potential safety and efficacy benefits to traditional systemic "whole-body" cooling approaches. About CINN CINN Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch The Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch is one of the nation's leading organizations for the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of people with brain and spine disorders. Originally founded in 1987, CINN is the Midwest's largest team of neurosurgeons known for their pioneering treatments in minimally invasive techniques. Through a network of seven hospitals spanning two states, CINN treats more patients with brain tumors and spine disorders than any other physician group in Illinois. For further information, please visit: www.seacoasttechnologies.com This news release contains certain forward-looking statements that reflect the current views and/or expectations of Seacoast Technologies Inc. with respect to its performance, business and future events. Such statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The ChillerStrip(TM) system is the subject of an initial clinical trial being conducted under an Investigational Device Exemption An Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) allows the investigational device to be used in a clinical study in order to collect safety and effectiveness data required to support a Premarket Approval (PMA) application or a Premarket Notification [510(k)] submission to Food and from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. |
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