The Israeli laser technology company Lumenis has announced that its new Novus 3000 ophthalmic treatment device has been approved by the FDA. The device allows ophthalmologists to use the new laser to treat several retinal conditions that can lead to vision loss and blindness, including proliferative diabetic retinopathy, retinal tears and detachment, premature retinopathy and retinal vein occlusion.
"Lumenis has provided the ophthalmic industry with innovative technology since 1970, when we introduced the world's first laser photocoagulator," Lumenis president and CEO Avner Raz told Israel21c.org. "Worldwide, estimates suggest over 30 million people suffer from these conditions, and as the population ages these numbers are expected to climb. With the addition of our Novus 3000, we once again demonstrate our commitment to helping patients and their ophthalmologists protect and preserve eyesight."
Galil Medical, another Israeli company, has announced that its CryoHit product family has received FDA approval. The devices are critical to the treatment of breast fibroadenoma.
Fibroadenoma is the most common benign breast tumor in women under 40, affecting millions of women worldwide. These tumors have traditionally been removed through a surgical excision under local anesthesia in an operating theater. With Galil's minimally invasive new product line, the procedure can be performed at a local clinic, resulting in short recovery and much less of a chance of scarring.
The procedure involves the application of sub-zero temperatures to freeze the tumors, using needles capable of creating ice-balls of diverse sizes and shapes to match the shape of the tumor exactly.
Galil's cryotherapy technology is already widely used worldwide for the treatment of prostate, kidney cancer and liver cancer.