Viking Systems Inc (VKNG)

[junkHustler]

Viking Systems' 3DHD Laparoscopic Visualization System Selected for New Integrated Operating Rooms at Baptist Beaumont Hospital, Beaumont, TX

WESTBOROUGH, Mass., Apr 3, 2012 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) -- Viking Systems, Inc. (OTCBB:VKNG), a leading worldwide developer, manufacturer and marketer of 3D and 2D visualization solutions for complex minimally invasive surgery, today announced that Baptist Beaumont Hospital in Beaumont, TX has selected Viking's 3DHD Vision System to be incorporated into two new integrated three dimensional operating rooms.
Jed Kennedy, President and CEO of Viking Systems, said, "For years laparoscopic surgeons have been performing surgery in two dimensions while 3D visualization technology was being developed and refined. More recently, laparoscopic surgeons were introduced to 3DHD vision through robotic surgical systems. Now the same quality 3D visualization is available in a stand-alone system from Viking Systems. With the addition of Viking's 3DHD Vision system, Baptist Beaumont Hospital will be able to provide surgeons and patients with access to new, cutting edge 3DHD technology making the hospital's new integrated operating rooms 'state of the art' and putting them on the forefront of this technology curve."

The new 3DHD Vision System platform launched by Viking Systems, Inc., provides surgeons with crisp, clear vision combined with depth perception. The added dimension assists laparoscopic surgeons in dissection, suturing and in identifying critical anatomy sometimes not discernible with traditional laparoscopic visualization systems.

According to a recent report by iData Research, a leading global authority in medical device market research, operating room integration is expected to fuel adoption of new 3-dimensional surgical vision technology. The report also indicated that the U.S. video, high-tech and integrated operating room market was valued at over $1.7 billion in 2011 and is forecasted to rebound from the economic recession and grow to over $2.3 billion in annual sales by 2018.

"We have been told by surgeons who have used 3D visualization in their operating room that this is a natural evolution of the technology. We see 3D laparoscopic visualization as falling in line with other areas of the hospital that have already embraced 3D which includes micro surgery, robotic surgery, radiology and, of course, open surgical procedures," said Kennedy.

About Viking Systems, Inc.

Viking Systems, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, manufacturer and marketer of 3D and 2D visualization solutions for complex minimally invasive surgery. It actively markets and sells the only stand alone, FDA cleared, cost-effective 3D system for use in minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery. Viking partners with medical device companies and healthcare facilities to provide surgeons with proprietary visualization systems enabling minimally invasive surgical procedures, which reduce patient trauma and recovery time. Viking, through its OEM products business, also designs and manufactures surgical vision systems and components for several leading medical instrument companies worldwide.