Neurosonix Ltd., an Israeli company that developed non-invasive
ultrasound-based embolic protection technologies for use in cardiac
surgery and cath lab practice, is pleased to announce receiving the
European Association of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery Techno-College
Innovation Award for its first device, the EmBlocker . This prestigious
award was established to honor technological breakthroughs in all areas
related to thoracic and cardiovascular research. The award was announced
at a ceremony at the Annual Techno-College in Geneva, in front of an
audience of over a 1,000 leading cardiac surgeons from around the world.
"We are honored that the EACTS has acknowledged the
breakthrough we achieved in offering the cardiac surgeons and their
patients a unique solution aimed at reducing the risk of brain injury
following cardiac surgery," said Prof. Simcha Milo, inventor of the
technology and co-founder of Neurosonix. "We are very excited that
the EACTS recognized that the award-winning technology of the EmBlocker
has the potential to change standard cardiac surgery practice."
Cerebral embolism is considered a major cause of brain injury
during cardiac surgical procedures. Neurosonix first device, the
EmBlocker, uses proprietary ultrasound-based technology, to provide
protection against cerebral embolism during open heart procedures. The
EmBlocker uses ultrasonic energy to non-invasively divert emboli flow
away from the cerebral arteries in order to reduce the risk of
post-operative brain injury.
Prof. Jos Maessen, principal investigator of the pilot clinical
study, Head of the Cardio-Thoracic Surgery Department at the Academic
Hospital of Maastricht, the Netherlands, officially presented the
results of the study at the 2007 EACTS Meeting. The study showed a
significant decrease of over 65% of emboli flow to the brain in patients
treated with the EmBlocker. "This is an important day for us,
because the surgical community who faces the devastating results of
brain injury, acknowledged the importance of the ground-breaking
solution developed by Neurosonix," said Dr. Nathan Sela, Neurosonix
CEO. In addition, the audience of the Annual Techno-College comprised of
worldwide key opinion leaders will be among the early adopters of the
EmBlocker."
Dr. Sela added that "Neurosonix expects to release the
EmBlocker to the European market during 2008."
About Neurosonix Ltd.
Neurosonix Ltd. is a medical device company founded in Israel in
2002, aimed at developing and marketing non-invasive ultrasound-based
embolic protection technology and devices for use in cardiac surgery and
cath lab practice. The company has a staff of 15 and is located in the
Scientific Park of Rehovot, Israel. Neurosonix is backed by a strong
group of investors, among which Elron Electronic Industries (NASDAQ:
ELRN), Evergreen Venture Partners, Ofer Hitech and Peregrine Ventures.
For more information, visit http://www.neurosonix.co.il.
About EACTS
The European Association of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery was founded in
1986. Its 2000 members are spread all over the world in all continents,
representing some 70 countries. The main objects of the EACTS are to
advance education in the field of cardiovascular and thoracic surgery,
and to promote for the public benefit research in thoracic physiology,
pathology and therapy and to correlate and disseminate the useful
results thereof.
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