ORLANDO, FLA., Feb. 3, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mazor Robotics (www.mazorrobotics.com), a global leader in the development and distribution of innovative surgical guidance systems for spine and brain surgery, announced today the first transcerebellar brainstem biopsy, performed at the University Hospital of Tübingen in Germany, using its Renaissance® Guidance System.
Affecting children exclusively, diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPGs) are located in the brainstem and are the second most common malignancy of the brain in children. Until now, DIPG has remained incurable, with, according to literature, about 90% of children dying within two years of diagnosis. To develop effective new treatments on a molecular genetic basis, tissue samples are required. Brainstem biopsies are not standard and are very difficult to perform with standard equipment.
"The groundbreaking biopsy of a DIPG utilizing a posterior trans-cerebellar approach was enabled by Renaissance technology. It is practically impossible to perform this procedure with most standard systems," said Prof. Martin U. Schuhmann, the pediatric neurosurgeon who performed the surgery. He added, "The Renaissance® system makes it easily possible and we are convinced this approach is much safer for the patient. This can be a new venue to finding a more effective treatment for these children."
Prof. Schumann successfully operated on two patients suffering from DIPG, using transcerebellar Renaissance® guidance. The traditional superior approach is riskier due to the much longer trajectory passing through highly eloquent brain centers and increases the chances of complications and debilitating side effects. This is the major reason why brain stem biopsies are not standard in the treatment of DIPG.
"Performing a successful biopsy is the first step to finding a biological cure which scientists believe is the only chance to beat this terrible disease," saidOri Hadomi, CEO of Mazor Robotics.
"Mazor Robotics mission is to make a difference,"said Hadomi. "Our new technologies are disruptive; they challenge the status quo, but they improve patient care. This is what we are about."
About Mazor Robotics
Mazor Robotics (TASE: MZOR; NASDAQGM: MZOR) is dedicated to the development and marketing of innovative surgical guidance systems and complementary products that provide a safer environment for patients, surgeons, and operating room staff. Mazor Robotics' Renaissance® Guidance System enables surgeons to conduct spine procedures in a more accurate and secure manner. For more information, please visit www.MazorRobotics.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other securities laws. Any statements in this release about future expectations, plans or prospects for the Company, including without limitation, statements regarding the possibilities, effectiveness and safety of the Renaissance system in DIPG biopsies, that Mazor Robotics' mission is to make a difference, statements about Mazor Robotics' techologies, and other statements containing the words "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "will" and similar expressions are forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions based on Mazor's current expectations and projections about future events. There are important factors that could cause Mazor's actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Those factors include, but are not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, competitive products, product demand and market acceptance risks, reliance on key strategic alliances, fluctuations in operating results, and other factors indicated in Mazor's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) including those discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in Mazor's annual report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on April 9, 2014 and in subsequent filings with the SEC. For more details, refer to Mazor's SEC filings. Mazor undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or to changes in our expectations, except as may be required by law.
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