Company's Patent Pipeline Focused on Both TMR and PMR Laser Revascularization
FRANKLIN, Mass., Oct. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- PLC Systems Inc. (Amex: PLC)
announced today the issuance of a new patent that protects technology critical
to the effectiveness of its CO2 Heart Laser System. The U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office issued U.S. Patent No. 6,113,587, entitled "Handpiece for a
Medical Laser System," on September 5, 2000. The handpiece patent describes
how its unique configuration, which is easily cradled in the surgeon's hand,
provides surgical access to all areas of the heart that are not amenable to
bypass.
Robert I. Rudko, PLC's Chief Scientific Officer and founder, stated, "The
contact tip of the handpiece is designed to contour to the heart wall, which
lessens the chance of arrhythmias. In addition, the right angle handpiece
fits into the surgical cavity allowing quick and easy access to the backside
of the heart with a single laser firing. These are significant improvements
over catheter-based handpieces that have a cutting trocar tip and require a
manual fiber advancement to control the 6 to 8 laser fires needed for a lower
energy laser to create a single channel in the wall of the heart."
"This patent reflects PLC's commitment to developing leading cardiac
revascularization laser technology," stated Mark R. Tauscher, President and
CEO of PLC Systems. "In addition to seeking protection for our current
surgical TMR laser technology, we also are pursuing protective patents on our
PMR technology."
PMR (Percutaneous Myocardial Revascularization) is a catheter based laser
technology that is a minimally invasive approach to creating laser channels
from the inside of the heart wall. This treatment would be performed by the
cardiologist and may potentially relieve chest pain in patients suffering from
severe coronary artery disease.
Tauscher continued, "Currently, PLC has four PMR patents issued and
several key PMR patents pending, which demonstrates the Company's commitment
to enter the cardiology market. Patents are just one element in our strategy
to build and maintain our competitive advantage, and to increase shareholder
value."
PLC is the global leader in the development of products for performing a
surgical procedure known as carbon dioxide (CO2) transmyocardial
revascularization (TMR). CO2 TMR offers an innovative medical treatment
option for patients who suffer from severe coronary artery disease. Coronary
artery disease, the leading cause of death in the United States and Europe, is
expected to increase as the worldwide population continues to age.
Working with leading researchers and premier heart surgery centers around
the world, PLC developed the world's first FDA-approved TMR device, a high-
powered laser known as The Heart Laser System. Designed to perform TMR in the
safest manner possible, The Heart Laser was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration for the treatment of areas of the heart not amenable to direct
revascularization. More than 6,500 patients have been treated by PLC's Heart
Laser.
For more information on PLC and its products, please visit the Company's
Web site at plcmed.com or www.bloodlinelaser.com.
Note: Certain of the above statements, including these that use words such
as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "estimates," "should,"
"likely," or " "will," are forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those indicated by
such forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including
operational changes, competitive developments, regulatory approval
requirements, the ability to convince health care professionals and third
party payers of the medical and economic benefits of The Heart Laser System,
no assurance that all payers will reimburse health care providers who perform
TMR procedures or that reimbursement, if provided, will be adequate,no
assurance that the Company's fee-per-use sales and marketing strategy will be
successful, the Company's need for additional financing to fund operations,
uncertainty of intellectual property protection and risk factors described in
the Company's annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on March 30, 2000 and in its other filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
SOURCE PLC Systems Inc.
-0- 10/09/2000
/CONTACT: John Jordan, Director of Investor Relations of PLC Systems
Inc., 508-541-8800, ext. 145/
/Web site: plcmed.com
(PLC)
CO: PLC Systems Inc.
ST: Massachusetts
IN: MTC BIO
SU:
CP
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