Smith & Nephew Endoscopy Introduces Standard Technique and Measuring System for Diagnosis of Back and Neck Pain
25 October 2005 - 11:35PM
PR Newswire (US)
Automated and controlled fluid delivery ensures accurate,
reproducible test results ANDOVER, Mass., Oct. 25
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Smith & Nephew's (NYSE: SNN)(LSE:SN)
Endoscopy division today announced the launch of its Controlled
Disc Stimulation (CDS) System, which provides a standard platform
for discography, a method for diagnosing the source of disc-related
back or neck pain. Discography is based on the premise that
stressing a pain-generating disc by increasing its internal
pressure should reproduce the patient's pain. During discography, a
clinician injects a contrast dye solution into a vertebral disc to
identify the disc or discs causing the patient's pain. Accurate
pressure recordings are critical to the diagnostic validity of the
procedure. Other discography systems cannot compensate for
variables in the way the test is administered, which can influence
results. The CDS System, however, provides automated, controlled
fluid delivery. Its control unit accurately measures disc pressure
throughout the procedure, minimizing the possibility of technique
variations from one clinician to the next. Ultimately, test results
that are inconsistent can affect the way clinicians interpret the
results and determine what course of treatment is appropriate for
the patient. "The CDS System provides the standard we have lacked
for discography as an objective diagnostic tool," said Dr. Richard
Guyer, a spine surgeon at the Texas Back Institute in Plano, Texas.
"Now clinicians can measure disc pressure using the same yardstick,
for results that are accurate and reproducible." A remote control
unit provides the clinician with command over the procedure from
outside the sterile field, shifting the focus from the equipment to
the patient. "Physicians can prescribe a spectrum of treatments for
lower back pain. The more information physicians have about the
patient's condition and pain level, the better decisions they can
make about treatment options," said John Mullen, vice president,
Smith & Nephew's Spine Division. About Smith & Nephew Smith
& Nephew is a global medical technology business, specializing
in Orthopaedics, Endoscopy and Advanced Wound Management products.
Smith & Nephew is a global leader in arthroscopy and advanced
wound management and is one of the fastest growing global
orthopaedics companies. Smith & Nephew is dedicated to helping
improve people's lives. The company prides itself on the strength
of its relationships with its surgeons and professional healthcare
customers, with whom its name is synonymous with high standards of
performance, innovation and trust. The company has over 8,500
employees and operates in 33 countries around the world generating
annual revenue of $2.3 billion. Forward Looking Statements This
press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within
the meaning of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. In particular, statements regarding expected revenue growth
and operating margins discussed under "Outlook" are forward-looking
statements as are discussions of our product pipeline. These
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expressed or implied by such forward- looking statements. Please
refer to the documents that Smith & Nephew has filed with the
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the U.S. Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including Smith & Nephew's
most recent annual report on Form 20F, for a discussion of certain
of these factors. All forward-looking statements in this press
release are based on information available to Smith & Nephew as
of the date hereof. All written or oral forward-looking statements
attributable to Smith & Nephew or any person acting on behalf
of Smith & Nephew are expressly qualified in their entirety by
the foregoing. Smith & Nephew does not undertake any obligation
to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained herein
to reflect any change in Smith & Nephew's expectation with
regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances
on which any such statement is based. DATASOURCE: Smith &
Nephew CONTACT: Joe Metzger of Smith & Nephew Endoscopy,
+1-978-749-1330 Web site: http://www.smith-nephew.com/
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