ALPHARETTA, Ga., Feb. 25, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SANUWAVE Health, Inc. (OTCBB:SNWV) announced today the receipt of U.S. Pat. No. 8,961,441 from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office entitled, "Medical Treatment System Including an Ancillary Medical Treatment Apparatus with an Associated Data Storage Medium."
The patent includes twenty-two claims relating to medical treatment systems that use:
- an electronic medical treatment apparatus,
- an ancillary treatment apparatus,
- an ancillary data storage medium,
- a data reader, and
- a display.
The ancillary treatment apparatus is used as an interface between a patient and the electronic medical treatment apparatus for treatment of a body target location. Based on medical treatment data received to the electronic treatment apparatus about the target location, the system displays which ancillary treatment apparatus should be chosen for use with the electronic apparatus in the treatment. The ancillary data storage medium is packaged with the ancillary treatment apparatus and provides instructions for authenticating that the ancillary treatment apparatus is authorized as compatible for use in the medical treatment, including the application of specific medical treatment control parameters. The display provides visual confirmation of activation of the electronic medical treatment apparatus for use after proper authorization. The patent has a maximum term extending to April 2032.
This patent, among other uses, will provide SANUWAVE patent protection for the "per procedure" wound treatment kits designed for the Company's dermaPACE® device. The dermaPACE wound treatment kits contain a one-time use RFID card to program treatment parameters and activate the specific treatment, based on initial user input regarding size of the wound, a sterile sleeve that covers the applicator to prevent cross-contamination, a sterile drape and sterile acoustic coupling gel. This is an innovative "error free" system that helps to ensure consistency of outcomes by preventing under/over treatment and the input of incorrect device settings by the clinician.
"We believe this new patent provides excellent coverage for medical treatment systems that include electronic devices and auxiliary treatment interfaces with enhanced controls for identification and authentication of proper treatment components, and for providing specific treatment parameters based on the medical condition, targeted body part, tissue, or organ," commented Kevin A. Richardson, II, Chairman of the board of directors of SANUWAVE. "In view of its broad applicability to existing and future SANUWAVE devices and many types of modern medical systems, this patent is an important addition to our patent portfolio."
SANUWAVE Health Inc., and its wholly owned subsidiary SANUWAVE, Inc., now have 39 patents (issued or pending) in the field of shock waves used in medical and non-medical applications.
About SANUWAVE Health, Inc.
SANUWAVE Health, Inc. (www.sanuwave.com) is a shock wave technology company initially focused on the development and commercialization of patented noninvasive, biological response activating devices for the repair and regeneration of skin, musculoskeletal tissue and vascular structures. SANUWAVE's portfolio of regenerative medicine products and product candidates activate biologic signaling and angiogenic responses, producing new vascularization and microcirculatory improvement, which helps restore the body's normal healing processes and regeneration. SANUWAVE applies its patented PACE technology in wound healing, orthopedic/spine, plastic/cosmetic and cardiac conditions. Its lead product candidate for the global wound care market, dermaPACE®, is CE Marked throughout Europe and has device license approval for the treatment of the skin and subcutaneous soft tissue in Canada, Australia and New Zealand. In the U.S., dermaPACE is currently under the FDA's Premarket Approval (PMA) review process for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. SANUWAVE researches, designs, manufactures, markets and services its products worldwide, and believes it has demonstrated that its technology is safe and effective in stimulating healing in chronic conditions of the foot (plantar fasciitis) and the elbow (lateral epicondylitis) through its U.S. Class III PMA approved OssaTron® device, as well as stimulating bone and chronic tendonitis regeneration in the musculoskeletal environment through the utilization of its OssaTron, Evotron® and orthoPACE® devices in Europe, Asia and Asia/Pacific. In addition, there are license/partnership opportunities for SANUWAVE's shock wave technology for non-medical uses, including energy, water, food and industrial markets.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, such as statements relating to financial results and plans for future business development activities, and are thus prospective. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not statements of historical fact regarding intent, belief or current expectations of the Company, its directors or its officers. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's ability to control. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Among the key risks, assumptions and factors that may affect operating results, performance and financial condition are risks associated with the regulatory approval and marketing of the Company's product candidates and products, unproven pre-clinical and clinical development activities, regulatory oversight, the Company's ability to manage its capital resource issues, competition, and the other factors discussed in detail in the Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.
For additional information about the Company, visit www.sanuwave.com.