Fastest Minimally-Invasive In-Office biolitec Laser Treatment for BPH Hailed by AUA Surgeons as Most Effective, with Lowest Costs

BUSINESS WIRE--Three leading urological surgeons reporting to groups of peer doctors this Saturday, May 17 at the 2008 American Urological Association’s National Scientific meeting disclosed their highly successful results involving their first biolitec-produced high-power EVOLVE^® laser treatments with U.S. BPH patients. Patients, with benign prostate hyperplasia, or enlarged prostate, were treated with the latest minimally-invasive laser techniques performed in office settings, reducing procedures to less than 10 minutes time while avoiding expensive overnight hospital stays and deductibles.

Key to the successful new treatment is the recently cleared 150-watt EVOLVE diode laser, demonstrated at this week’s meeting. Beyond shortening treatment times and facilitating vaporization and coagulation (tissue removal without strong bleeding), the new technique offers minimal side effects and fastest recovery times.

According to biolitec, the new high-power 150-watt laser, which has been shipping to various U.S. urology facilities since January 1, is experiencing strong growth and is expected to surge considerably beyond EVOLVE laser systems’ current 20 percent U.S. market penetration.

The laser’s high power reduces treatment time for ablating the prostatic tissue that causes obstruction in urine flow. In-office ambulatory treatment under local anesthesia is simple and fast, with patients remaining fully conscious.

Significance of this new treatment option is heightened by the high incidence of BPH in one of every two men over age 60, and in nearly every U.S. male 80 and older. No hospitalization is required and patients out-of-pocket cost is typically an office co-pay.

Professionals attending this week’s AUA conference heard actual experiential case data from Mark Swierzewski, MD, of Tampa Bay Urology, in Florida, James Ulchaker, MD, of Cleveland Clinic, David S. Turk, MD, Southwest Urology, Cleveland, (who previously received AUA’s 2007 Thirlby Award for presenting his earliest successes with the technique) and Ali Erol, MD, Duzce University, Istanbul, Turkey.

Other competitive laser options differences are in design, wavelength, power levels, anesthesia and treatment settings. The new treatment can now be offered in a gentle manner on an out-patient basis at any clinic or urology practice, without expensive anesthesia.