WESTBOROUGH, Mass., Feb. 11, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Viking Systems announced today that it recently successfully completed the first evaluation of its "Next Generation" 3DHD prototype visualization system. The laboratory session was conducted at the Washington University School of Medicine's Institute for Minimally Invasive Surgery in St. Louis, MO. Gerald L. Andriole, MD, Professor and Chief of Urologic Surgery at Washington University and Sam Bhayani, MD, Assistant Professor of Urologic Surgery and Co-Director of Robotic Surgery, Washington University were the surgeon participants.
Surgeons performed laparoscopic nephrectomy and reanastomosis (repair) of the ureter and renal pelvis. Dr. Andriole said, "Viking's Next Generation 3DHD system represents a huge improvement over 2D HD visualization in laparoscopic surgery. Having a 3D image gives the surgeon superb control while manipulating needles for intracorporal sewing, making knot tying simple." Dr. Bhayani added, "This 3D image is as good as any I have ever seen in my robotic procedures. I feel more in control and extraordinarily comfortable; it allows me to regain tactile feedback without sacrificing superior visualization."
In October 2009, at the American College of Surgeon's annual Clinical Congress in Chicago, Viking demonstrated the "Next Generation" 3DHD camera system utilizing a prototype Sony 3DHD flat panel display. During 2010, Viking Systems intends to complete the development of this unique Next Generation system and currently plans to launch the system in the fourth quarter of 2010. Jed Kennedy, President and CEO of Viking Systems stated, "Opinions and insights from experienced and respected minimally invasive surgeons are critical to evaluating our state of the art 3DHD endoscopic visualization system. We are very excited to receive this important and positive feedback and believe this provides further validation of our product development plans."
About Dr. Andriole
Gerald L. Andriole, Jr., MD is currently Robert K. Royce Distinguished Professor, Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. He is also Chief, Division of Urologic Surgery and Director, Men's Health Center. Dr. Andriole is Board Certified in urology, and his specialty areas are urologic surgery, urologic oncology and prostate cancer. His hospital affiliations include Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital, Progress West HealthCare Center, St. Louis Children's Hospital and the St. Louis VA Medical Center. For more information regarding Dr. Andriole, visit the Washington University Physicians Directory website at: http://wuphysicians.wustl.edu/physician2.aspx?PhysNum=716.
About Dr. Bhayani
Sam B. Bhayani, MD is currently Assistant Professor and Co-Director of Robotic Surgery in the Division of Urological Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. Dr. Bhayani is Board Certified in urology. He has certification by the Endourological Society and Johns Hopkins Hospital for specialization in robotic surgery, laparoscopic surgery and endourological surgery of the kidneys, prostate, bladder, and ureter. His hospital affiliations include Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital and St. Louis Children's Hospital. For more information regarding Dr. Bhayani, visit the Washington University Physicians Directory website at: http://www.urology.wustl.edu/Physicians/Physician.asp?DrID=353.
About Viking Systems, Inc.
Viking Systems, Inc. (OTCBB:VKNG) is a leading worldwide developer, manufacturer and marketer of 2D and 3D visualization solutions for complex minimally invasive surgery. The Company partners with medical device companies and healthcare facilities to provide surgeons with proprietary visualization systems enabling minimally invasive surgical procedures, which reduce patient trauma and recovery time. For more information visit the Company's website at: www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/ctr%3Fd=180486%26amp;l=6%26amp;a=www.vikingsystems.com%26amp;u=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.vikingsystems.com" target="_top" rel="nofollow">www.vikingsystems.com
This press release contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are estimates reflecting the best judgment of our management and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements should, therefore, be considered in light of various important factors as described in our annual report on Form 10-K under the heading "Risk Factors" as updated from time to time by our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements concerning forecasts, revenue growth, procedure growth, future financial results, and statements using words such as "estimate", "project", "plan", "intend", "expect", "anticipate", "believe" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.