Chicago ENT Head and Neck Surgeons Using VELscope Vx to Enhance Oral Cancer Surgery Success Rate
Technology helps surgeons see cancerous and precancerous tissue not apparent to the naked eye
BURNABY, BRITISH COLUMBIA — JANUARY 9, 2013 — LedMedical Diagnostics Inc. (TSX.V: LMD) subsidiary LED Dental announced today that its VELscope Vx enhanced oral assessment device will now be used by Chicago Otolaryngology Associates for oral mucosal abnormality assessment and when performing surgery on oral cancer patients.
According to Chicago Otolaryngology Associates’ Howard Kotler, MD, FACS, “We pride ourselves on embracing state-of-the-art technologies that allow us to provide the best patient care possible. The VELscope Vx may significantly enhance our ability to see the entire cancerous or precancerous lesion that needs to be excised, allowing us to minimize risk of additional unnecessary surgery.”
The VELscope Vx’s fluorescence visualization technology is the first approved by the FDA and Health Canada to help surgeons determine the surgical margins when excising cancerous and precancerous tissues. The technology is also approved to help dental and medical professionals discover cancerous and precancerous tissue that might not be apparent to the unaided eye.
The vast majority of the nearly 12,000 VELscope devices in use around the world are used by dental practices. Typically, when a suspicious lesion is detected by a dentist, the patient is referred to an oral surgeon or a periodontist for a surgical biopsy, which is then evaluated by an oral pathologist. If the biopsy sample is determined to be cancerous or precancerous, the patient is usually referred to an ENT head and neck surgeon for consultation and likely excision. VELscope technology was developed to address the problem of detecting all abnormal tissue, including that beneath the surface, as well as making it possible for dentists to discover early stage oral cancer, which requires less invasive treatment and has a significantly higher chance of survival than when the disease is detected in late stages.
“We applaud Dr. Kotler and Chicago Otolaryngology Associates for being one of the first Otolaryngology practices in the U.S. to incorporate VELscope’s potentially life-saving technology,” said Peter Whitehead, founder and CEO of LED Dental and its parent, LED Medical Diagnostics Inc. (TSX-V: LMD).
Robert Cartagena, chief operating officer of VELscope Vx distributor DenMat Holdings, LLC, added, “We encourage Chicago-area dental practices, particularly those using VELscope technology, to consider Chicago Otolaryngology Associates when referring any patients who have a suspicious abnormality.” He noted that Chicago Otolaryngology Associates, which is based in Chicago’s Mercy Hospital and Medical Center, offers the convenience of a central Metro Chicago location.
About LED Medical Diagnostics Inc.
LED Medical Diagnostics Inc. was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. Its wholly-owned subsidiary, LED Dental Inc., is the manufacturer of the VELscope Vx enhanced oral assessment system. VELscope Vx devices, the first to apply tissue fluorescence visualization technology to the oral cavity, are used to conduct more screenings for oral cancer and other oral diseases than any adjunctive device in the world. For more information, call +1 (604) 434-4614, or visit www.velscope.com.
About the VELscope Vx
The VELscope Vx is a powerful FDA- and Health Canada-approved tool used to screen for oral cancer. It saves lives by helping detect early stage oral cancer and pre-cancer and other abnormalities in the mouth such as viral, fungal and bacterial infections. The VELscope Vx is distributed in over 20 countries by its exclusive global distributor, DenMat Holdings. For more information please call +1 (604) 434-4614, or visit www.velscope.com.
About DenMat
DenMat manufactures a broad range of cosmetic and restorative solutions as well as innovative small equipment devices, available in the U.S. and over 68 countries worldwide. Recently, DenMat became the exclusive distributor of the VELscope Vx®, the world’s leading adjunctive oral cancer screening device. In addition to award-winning products, DenMat also offers a wide array of continuing education programs, including Destination Education events. For more information, call +1-800-445-0345 or visit www.denmat.com.
Contact:
LED Medical Diagnostics Inc.
Mark Komonoski, Investor Relations
(403) 255-8483 or Toll-Free: (877) 255-8483
Cell: (403) 470-8384
mark@komonoski.com
Skype: mkomonoski
