iovera˚ Harnesses Cold to Block Nerve Signals and Reduce Pain
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., July 16, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- myoscience announced today the launch of its iovera° system for the treatment of anterior and interior knee pain at the Louisiana State University (LSU) Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. The iovera° system utilizes its patented Focused Cold Therapy™ delivery system to direct a controlled cold dosage via closed-end probes to specific nerves for precise and predictable pain relief.
"We are excited that LSU is among the first cutting edge orthopaedic facilities in the nation to offer the iovera° system for knee pain sufferers," said Clint Carnell, myoscience CEO and iovera° developer. "iovera° gives physicians the opportunity to address their patients' peripheral nerve pain in a very targeted way harnessing the natural power of cold to temporarily stop nerves from signalling and to deliver immediate toxin-free, drug-free pain relief."
Frequent knee pain affects approximately 25% of adults, limits function and mobility, and impairs quality of life.1 Peripheral nerves treated with the iovera° system stop signalling pain for a set period of time, usually up to 3 months, after which their function is fully restored. Because peripheral nerve function is disrupted rather than destroyed, the results are safe, effective and temporary.
"This technology has the potential to change the current paradigm of acute and chronic pain management. The patients that I have treated are all grateful to have an option that is very safe and that has allowed them to get back to functionality quickly," said Vinod Dasa, MD, Assistant Professor of Clinical Orthopaedics at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC) School of Medicine in New Orleans, one of the first U.S. physicians to perform the procedure and to treat more than 60 patients. "Focused cold therapy offers reliable pain relief in areas such as the knee which may allow for physical therapy to proceed, and even reduce the need for systemic pain relievers."
The iovera° system delivers liquid nitrous oxide from a convenient and powerful handheld device to the closed-end probes of the Smart Tip during treatment. While this highly pressurized liquid travels from the hand piece to the Smart Tip, it undergoes a phase change and becomes very cold drawing in heat energy from the surrounding tissue and forming a precise zone of cold at the targeted nerve. The gaseous nitrous oxide returns into the hand piece, leaving nothing behind in the body. This precise cold treatment causes a reversible nerve block based on a process called Wallerian degeneration. Pain is relieved in sensory nerves, which send messages to the central nervous system. Pain relief can last up to 3 months, at which time predictable restoration of nerve function occurs.
About iovera°
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared the iovera° system for use in peripheral nerves in January 2013. The iovera° system is specifically cleared to destroy tissue during surgical procedures by applying cold temperature. It can also be used to produce lesions in peripheral nervous tissue by the application of cold to the selected site for the blocking of pain. The iovera° system is not indicated for treatment of central nervous system tissue.
About LSU Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at LSUHSC in New Orleans is dedicated to training excellent orthopaedic surgeons while providing exemplary patient care. The department has many internationally recognized faculty members. The faculty is fellowship-trained in all specialties and is dedicated to continued scholarly activities. Many faculty members are involved in innovative research. A unique feature of the LSU orthopaedic department is the multi-disciplinary approach to treating orthopaedic conditions and the treatment of the 'whole' patient for maximum function. For more information about The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at LSUHSC, a member of the LSU Healthcare Network, please visit: http://www.lsuhn.com/. Patients interested in iovera° treatment at LSUHSC can call: 504.412.1700.
About myoscience
Silicon Valley, California-based myoscience is a privately-held medical device company committed to making its platform technology, Focused Cold Therapy, the standard of care for the treatment of peripheral nerve conditions. Focused Cold Therapy is the patented technology delivered by the ioveraº system. The ioveraº system is currently approved in Europe and Canada for temporary wrinkle reduction, temporary pain reduction and treatment of dermatologic conditions, and is indicated in the United States for use in pain management and general surgical use. For more information, please visit www.myoscience.com.
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1 Nguyen, Uyen-Sa D.T., DSc, et al. "Increasing Prevalence of Knee Pain and Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis," Ann Intern Med. (2011 December 6); 155(11): 725–732.