Oct 9 2008
American Medical Systems, Inc. today announced the launch of its new GreenLight HPS (High Performance System) EA (Extended Applications) Fiber intended for the treatment of bladder tumors and urethral strictures. According to Whitney Erickson, Vice-President and General Manager of the Men's Health Division at American Medical Systems, the new EA side-firing fiber is designed to extend the proven GreenLight technology beyond the treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) to the treatment of other urologic conditions. "It marks our continued expansion and focus on GreenLight Laser Therapy as an effective solution for urologists and their patients," she says.
Dr. Mahmood Hai of Affiliates in Urology in Southwestern Michigan is one of the pioneering surgeons who researched the GreenLight laser for BPH. He has begun using it at a lower wattage setting for superficial bladder tumors – those that are still in the lining of the bladder and have not penetrated to the muscle layer. Treatment of bladder tumors and urethral strictures is frequently done on an outpatient basis, in the office or an ambulatory surgical center (ASC). In those settings Dr. Hai sees significant benefits using laser therapy as an alternative to the traditional hot-loop electrocautery technique. "One of the key advantages is that there is virtually no bleeding, because of the laser's wavelength unique effect on tissue," says Dr. Hai. "Less bleeding means the surgeon has better visibility in the surgical field resulting in better removal of the tumor and will allow the surgeon to spot any other small lesions that may be present."
Designed with safety in mind, the new laser fiber features optimal energy output and precise delivery. "Controlled depth of penetration is another benefit when using GreenLight for the treatment of bladder tumors," says Dr. Hai. "The surgeon is able to remove the tumor layer by layer, with no unnecessary damage to the deeper muscular tissue preventing perforation of the bladder. It can further eliminate the need for the patient to have a catheter afterwards." The GreenLight laser fibers are designed to be inserted through a scope that is smaller than the ones used with traditional surgeries, "which means that there may be less pain and trauma and potentially less chance of causing urethral strictures," says Dr. Hai.