OMER, Israel, April 7, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Medigus Ltd. (TASE: MDGS), a medical device company developing and commercializing minimally invasive endosurgical tools and procedures, announced two studies on the MUSE(TM) (formerly the SRS(TM)) system were highlighted as oral presentations during the prestigious 2014 Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) Emerging Technology Session in Salt Lake City, Utah. The first study confirmed MUSE as a trans-oral, effective treatment option for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), reporting that in a study of 69 subjects, 85% of patients reduced GERD medication use by >= 50% with 65% of subjects eliminating GERD medication entirely after 6 months. The study also found that 73% of subjects improved quality of life scores by >= 50%. The second study on a swine model explored the feasibility of adding MUSE to address the potential for GERD after performing a per-oral esophageal myotomy (POEM) procedure for achalasia.
MUSE is a device enabling an incisionless procedure. The device performs a surgical anterior fundoplication with standard surgical staples in a less invasive way, helping enhance patient care and potentially increase hospital efficiency through lower costs and reduced hospital stays.
"The compelling data presented at this year's meeting suggests that MUSE could be a safe and minimally-invasive therapeutic option for treatment of chronic GERD," said Santiago Horgan, M.D., Chief, Division of Minimally Invasive Surgery, UC San Diego Health System, and presenting author of the first study. "We need new approaches that can provide relief to patients to avoid long-term use of PPIs."
"We are excited to be chosen by SAGES to highlight our MUSE system in such a prominent way at this year's conference," said Chris Rowland, CEO of Medigus. "The growing body of clinical evidence will be key to educating clinicians around the world about the MUSE system's clinical value as a safe, effective and less invasive option for GERD patients."
About SAGES
The mission of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) is to improve quality patient care through education, research, innovation and leadership, principally in gastrointestinal and endoscopic surgery. SAGES is a leading surgical society, representing a worldwide community of over 6,000 surgeons that can bring minimal access surgery, endoscopy and emerging techniques to patients worldwide. The organization sets the clinical and educational guidelines on standards of practice in various procedures, critical to enhancing patient safety and health. The SAGES 2014 Annual Meeting, "Putting the Patient First: Promoting Innovation and Safety in the OR and Beyond," will continue a long-standing tradition of strong didactic sessions by experts, combined with exploration of innovative technology and medical breakthroughs in the fields of general, upper GI, colorectal, endoscopic, robotic and minimally invasive surgery (MIS). This year's meeting will be held at the Salt Palace Convention Center, April 2nd though April 5th. For more information about the annual meeting visit www.sages2014.org or www.sages.org.
About MUSE(TM)
MUSE(TM) is an intuitive endosurgical platform that consists of a single use surgical endostapler, equipped with a proprietary miniature camera, an ultrasonic sight and a range finder. The single operator system performs an anterior partial fundoplication with standard surgical staples in a less invasive way, compared to other surgical procedures.
About Medigus
Medigus is leading the transition from invasive gastric surgery procedures to less invasive, patient-friendly techniques through the development of minimally invasive endoscopic devices and procedures. The company's revolutionary MUSE(TM) system enables endoscopists and surgeons to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a chronic disease with increasing global prevalence, by performing a fundoplication procedure through the mouth. Unlike current fundoplication procedures, the MUSE(TM) system does not require abdominal incisions, which may result in shorter post-procedure recovery. The MUSE(TM) system (previously known as SRS(TM) system for transoral fundoplication) has received FDA clearance and CE mark and showed equivalence to the gold standard surgery in patients followed for 5 years. Medigus is traded on the TASE (Tel Aviv Stock Exchange). To learn more about the company's minimally invasive technology platform, please visit http://www.medigus.com/.
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