Leading Breast Surgeons Highlight Techniques and Visualization Technologies for Improved Clinical and Aesthetic Outcomes at Invuity's Surgeon Educational Symposium

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Invuity, a leading developer of advanced visualization devices to optimize minimal access surgeries, brought together some of the nation's leading breast oncology and plastic surgeons to discuss the latest advancements in breast cancer surgery and how a novel visualization technology enables progressive surgical techniques, resulting in better patient outcomes.

The two-day surgeon educational symposium: "Future Trends in Breast Surgery: A Minimal Access Approach" focused on progressive surgical techniques for skin-sparing and nipple-sparing mastectomy and oncoplastic breast oncology procedures. The symposium was held in Las Vegas and featured distinguished faculty from across the United States. The faculty discussed and demonstrated procedures using Invuity's illuminated breast retractor system with integrated Eigr™ (pronounced eye-gr) technology, which enables these minimal access surgical techniques using smaller and fewer incisions. Dr. Richard Fine, MD, Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Surgery, University of Tennessee, moderated the meeting and introduced the sessions with a comprehensive review of the indications and outcomes for prophylactic mastectomy.  

Shawna Willey, MD, and Associate Professor of Surgery at Georgetown University School of Medicine, and a presenter at the Symposium said, "Our objective as breast surgeons is to combine the very best clinical outcomes with an equally positive aesthetic result following the surgical procedure. The symposium provided a great opportunity to share knowledge and exchange ideas about how Invuity's illuminated breast retractor system can greatly improve visibility during nipple-sparing mastectomies--simplifying and optimizing a procedure that is growing in importance for breast surgeons and their patients."

According to the American Cancer Society, more than 2.5 million women in the United States are breast cancer survivors; many chose surgery to remove the cancer. Currently, surgical techniques to spare skin and the nipple are growing rapidly due to patients seeking better aesthetic outcomes. As these breast cancer surgery options advance and incisions become smaller, Invuity's illuminated breast retractor system helps surgeons perform these procedures by enabling superior visualization of tissue planes and delicate structures.

Invuity's illuminated breast retractor system integrates the company's proprietary Eigr technology into an optimized retractor, delivering brilliant illumination even in small, deep incisions and enabling improved visualization of the breast flap and delicate anatomic structures. The system includes a family of retractors designed for various breast surgical approaches, including reconstructive surgeries.

Additional surgeon faculty included Stephen DeSantis, MD, a leading surgeon at the Saddleback Valley Surgery Medical Group in Mission Viejo, CA, who gave an overview of the Invuity Retractor System and how it has become a "must have" visualization device for all of his mastectomies and lumpectomies; and Tommaso Addona, MD, a Partner at Long Island Plastic Surgical Group, who spoke about breast reconstruction by plastic surgeons and patient selection for the nipple-sparing and skin-sparing mastectomy procedures.

"It is critical that breast surgeons and plastic surgeons continue to share best practices and the latest advances in surgical treatment and reconstruction options," said Dr. Addona. "Invuity's Eigr technology has allowed surgeons in both specialties the ability to use smaller and often fewer incisions and better preserve the viability of tissue in these more advanced procedures, resulting in better aesthetic outcomes."

Philip Sawyer, CEO of Invuity said, "The lack of adequate visualization has prevented many breast surgeons from adopting these minimal access approaches. We are delighted to see the enthusiastic response that breast surgeons are having to Invuity's illuminated breast retractor system. We are further encouraged by the support of thought leaders and their willingness to share their clinical experience using Eigr technology in performing these advanced procedures."

About Eigr™
Eigr Technology combines injection-molded optical lens waveguide technology with integrated microstructures to control illumination output to the operative space. Eigr projects thermally cool, brilliant white light broadly and uniformly within the deepest darkest surgical cavities to provide unsurpassed visualization while virtually eliminating shadows, back reflection and glare.

About Invuity
Invuity develops advanced medical devices to dramatically improve access and visualization in minimally invasive and minimal access surgeries. The company's products incorporate its proprietary Eigr™ technology into sophisticated hand-held illumination devices and illuminated access systems for a variety of surgical specialties including spine, orthopedics, breast and thyroid oncology and plastic surgery. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, CA. For more information, visit www.invuity.com

SOURCE Invuity