FDA Clears Voice-Controlled Arthroscopic Pump
Computer Motion Expands Offering of HERMES-Ready Medical Devices for the Operating Room
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SANTA BARBARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 29, 1999--Computer Motion Inc. (Nasdaq:RBOT - news), the world leader in medical robotics, Thursday announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted 510(k) market clearance for Computer Motion's HERMES(TM) Control Center to voice-control an arthroscopic pump (a medical device used to create the operative space necessary to perform minimally invasive orthopedic surgery).
This new HERMES-Ready(TM) pump is network-compatible with the HERMES Control Center and complements six other HERMES-Ready devices already cleared by the FDA: an endoscopic camera, endoscopic light source, laparoscopic insufflator, video printer, videocassette recorder and arthroscopic shaver.
Currently, operating rooms are filled with a variety of electronically controlled devices, including the operating table, lights and overhead cameras. Based on the surgeon's instructions, critical management of this equipment is currently performed by the operating-room nurses and surgical assistants.
The HERMES Control Center dramatically simplifies this challenging operating environment by creating a single computer network to control ''smart'' medical devices with simple, user-friendly interfaces for the surgeon and operating-room staff. Surgeons have direct control over these HERMES-Ready devices using simple voice commands.
Additionally, the operating-room staff can input commands via a touch-screen pendant. HERMES also provides the surgical team with important information on the status of each device using visual (on a video monitor) and voice feedback.
''We are very pleased with the FDA's clearance of the seventh HERMES-Ready device,'' said Robert W. Duggan, chairman and chief executive officer of Computer Motion. ''As the market opportunities broaden with additional HERMES-Ready devices, we believe Computer Motion's technology platform will be integrated as the standard operating system for operating rooms around the world,'' added Duggan.
Computer Motion's HERMES Control Center is an open-architecture system designed to control medical devices, such as those found in the hospital operating room.
The HERMES Alliance, which is committed to bring the Intelligent Operating Room(TM) to hospitals around the world, currently includes the company, Stryker Endoscopy (a division of Stryker Corp. (NYSE:SYK - news)), Berchtold Corp. and STERIS Co. (NYSE:STE - news). Computer Motion is pursuing similar alliances with other leading medical-device manufacturers.
Computer Motion, the world leader in medical robotics, is creating the cornerstone technologies and products for tomorrow's Intelligent Operating Room(TM). The company develops, manufactures and markets proprietary computer-enhanced and robotic surgical systems that enhance surgeons' capabilities, improve outcomes and reduce costs.
Computer Motion's products include: the AESOP® 3000, a voice- controlled endoscope positioning system; the HERMES(TM) Control Center, a centralized system that enables the surgeon to voice-control a network of ''smart'' medical devices; and the ZEUS(TM) Robotic Surgical System for new minimally invasive microsurgery procedures, such as endoscopic coronary artery bypass grafting (E-CABG(TM)).
The ZEUS System is under an FDA-approved Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) study and is CE Marked for commercial sale in the European Community. The company's Internet Web site is www.ComputerMotion.com.
This news release contains forward-looking statements concerning the company's business and products. Actual results may differ materially depending on a number of risk factors, including the risks of competition and competing technologies; duration or suspension of clinical studies; regulatory clearances and approvals; and physician, hospital and payor acceptance of the company's products. These factors and other risks inherent in the company's business are described from time to time in the company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including its annual report on Form 10-K. The company undertakes no obligation to revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
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Contact:
Computer Motion Inc., Santa Barbara
Stephen L. Wilson, 805/968-9600, ext. 155
Holley Malia, 805/968-9600, ext. 179
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Good work Computer Motion. Another piece of the puzzle is completed
in your goal :
Computer Motion is pioneering the Operating Room of the Future "the Intelligent OR" with its expertise in medical computers and robotics. The Company develops, manufactures and markets proprietary computer and robotic surgical systems for the operating room which enhance surgeons' capabilities, improve outcomes and reduce costs.
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