| HT Medical |
|
Press release: HT Medical Systems Launches PreOp Flexible Sigmoidoscopy Simulator at DDW Conference
(SAN DIEGO) May 19, 2000 – After 10 years of research, with development costs estimated at over $25 million, HT Medical Systems, Inc. announced today, that it will introduce its computer-based Flexible Sigmoidoscopy medical training simulator at the Digestive Disease Week (DDW) conference held from May 21-24 in San Diego, California. The simulator is the first of its kind in the world to allow healthcare personnel to practice performing flexible sigmoidoscopy before doing the procedure on a real patient.
"The PreOp Flexible Sigmoidoscopy simulator has the potential to dramatically reduce medical errors and discomfort experienced by patients who, in the past, had to serve as teaching tools when practitioners learn this important procedure," said HT Medical Chairman and Founder Gregory L. Merril. "The availability of this technology allows medical personnel to practice in an environment without putting patients at risk - it is changing the future of medical training, practice, and assessment."
Preventable medical errors claim the lives of as many as 98,000 Americans each year and cost an estimated $8.8 billion annually. More people die from medical mistakes each year than from highway accidents, breast cancer or AIDS.
Sigmoidoscopy (SIG-moy-DAH-skuh-pee) enables physicians to look at the inside of the large intestine from the rectum through the last part of the colon, called the sigmoid colon. Physicians may use this procedure to find the cause of diarrhea, abdominal pain, or constipation. They also use sigmoidoscopy to look for early signs of cancer in the colon and rectum.
The PreOp™ flexible sigmoidoscopy simulator consists of a personal computer, a robotic interface device, and case-based software modules containing a number of training scenarios. The first set of flexible sigmoidoscopy modules focuses on diagnosing polyps, hemorrhoids and cancer.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy, once performed only by doctors, is increasingly being practiced by physician assistants, nurse practitioners and nurses in an effort to reduce procedural costs. It recently became covered under Medicare benefits.
HT Medical Systems, Inc.
Founded in 1987, HT Medical Systems (www.ht.com) designs, manufactures and markets computer-based medical simulators that allow healthcare personnel to practice minimally invasive procedures without placing patients at risk.
Digestive Disease Week (www.ddw.org) is the largest international gathering of physicians, researchers and academics in the fields of gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy and gastrointestinal surgery. DDW showcases close to 5000 abstracts and hundreds of lectures on the latest advances in GI research, medicine and technology. The meeting also provides an opportunity for professionals in the field to discuss the medical, technological, ethical, regulatory, and legal issues facing the profession today.
|
