LIVERMORE, Calif., March 12, 2013 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Halt Medical, Inc. announced that Dr. Jay M. Berman, M.D., FACOG, has performed the first commercial Acessa Procedure in the United States. The procedure is used for the treatment of uterine fibroids. Dr. Berman performed the procedure at the Berry Surgery Center in Farmington Hills, MI, an outpatient facility affiliated with the Detroit Medical Center's DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital.
"We are extremely happy that Dr. Berman, the Wayne State University Physician Group and Detroit Medical Center have begun introducing their patients to the Acessa Procedure," said Jeffrey M. Cohen, Halt Medical CEO. "The Acessa Procedure represents a major breakthrough in addressing one of the biggest unmet needs in women's health, uterine fibroids. Acessa is the only medical device that can be used by gynecologists to treat all fibroids."
Dr. Berman said, "Approximately 50 to 70 percent of women have uterine fibroids. Before the Acessa Technology, treatment involved cutting through layers of healthy tissue to gain access to the fibroids, or removing the uterus completely through a hysterectomy. However, research shows the majority of women choose to suffer through their symptoms rather than undergo surgery." Dr. Berman is Associate Professor, Director, Division of Gynecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine and Associate Chief Medical Officer, Clinical Operations, Wayne State University Physician Group.
The Acessa Procedure is a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure that delivers radiofrequency energy to destroy the fibroids. After treatment, the fibroid is re-absorbed by the surrounding tissue. Acessa allows the surgeon to treat only the fibroids, while preserving normal function of the uterus. Patients typically go home the same day with little pain, and enjoy a rapid return to normal activities. More than 250 women have been successfully treated with Acessa.
"Any technology that gives us the ability to give women choices, in this case that spares the uterus and avoids the need for hysterectomy, has merit," said L. Andrea Coleman, M.D., chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology at DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital. "Sinai-Grace and the DMC have some of the best physicians in the country, and this is evidence of that. I applaud us for always being on the forefront of technology and for doing the work that is required to stay there."
About Halt Medical, Inc.
Founded in 2004, Halt Medical is a medical device company focused on establishing a new standard of care for women with symptomatic uterine fibroids. The Company has developed and launched the Acessa System and Procedure, using radiofrequency energy to destroy uterine fibroids. The results of both U.S. and international trials have led to the clearance of the product by the FDA for use in percutaneous, laparoscopic coagulation and ablation of soft tissue, including treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids under laparoscopic ultrasound guidance. The Acessa System also has regulatory approval to treat symptomatic uterine fibroids in the European Union, Canada, and Mexico. The Company is located in Brentwood, CA. For information about the Acessa System, please visit www.haltmedical.com. To connect with Halt Medical on Facebook visit www.facebook.com/acessasystem or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/acessasystem.
About Wayne State University Physician Group
The Wayne State University Physician Group (WSUPG) is one of southeast Michigan's largest non-profit multi-specialty physician practice groups, with more than 2,000 physicians providing primary and specialty medical services in close to 1 million patient visits annually. WSUPG has more than 100 locations, and affiliations with the Detroit Medical Center, Oakwood Healthcare System, Karmanos Cancer Center, Crittenton Hospital Medical Center, St. Joseph Mercy Oakland and St. John Providence Health System. As faculty members of the Wayne State University School of Medicine, WSUPG's physicians and staff are on the forefront of technology and bringing the latest in medical advancements to the bedside. In addition to its substantial clinical practice, WSUPG is training the Michigan physicians of tomorrow by providing instructors for more than 1,200 medical students and 900 residents each year. For more information or to make an appointment with a WSUPG doctor visit www.upgdocs.org. To connect with the Wayne State University Physician Group on Facebook visit www.facebook.com/wsupgdocs or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/wsupgdocs.
About DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital
DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital is a full-service hospital with 404 licensed beds and more than 700 physicians, 700 nurses, and 1,700 support staff. Services and capabilities include cardiology, emergency medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, urological services, psychiatry, radiation oncology, gerontology, physical medicine, and orthopedic surgery. Servicing more than 214,000 patients annually, Sinai-Grace also operates 25 ambulatory sites and surgery centers, including the Lahser and Berry Surgery Centers. Sinai-Grace serves as a teaching facility to more than 200 medical students each year, and is one of eight hospitals operated by the Detroit Medical Center (DMC). The DMC is proud to be the official health care services provider for the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Red Wings, and Detroit Pistons. For more information, visit www.sinaigrace.org. "Like" us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sinaigrace or follow us on Twitter at @DMC_SinaiGrace.
SOURCE Halt Medical, Inc.
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