Mazor Robotics Ltd. (TASE:MZOR) has obtained EU CE Mark certification of its SpineAssist miniature robotic for brain surgery. Mazor plans to expand use of the SpineAssist system from spinal surgical procedures to brain surgical procedures, including treatments to alleviate symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
Six months ago, Mazor successfully completed clinical trials of the SpineAssist in brain surgery at Hadassah Medical Organization in Jerusalem. The trials demonstrated the precision and stability of the system's attachment to the skull, and all the trial endpoints were achieved.
Mazor has a distribution agreement with surgical instruments manufacturer Alpha Omega to distribute the SpineAssist.
Having obtained CE Mark, Mazor plans to use the SpineAssist for brain surgery in Israel and Germany.
Mazor CEO Ori Hadomi said, "Use of navigational aids in brain surgery is very high and the uniqueness of the SpineAssist's capabilities in helping surgeons place implants with great precision by minimally invasive procedures and reducing the amount of radiation to which the patient is exposed during surgery, gives Mazor's system a real competitive advantage. Brain surgery requires precision and to reach the exact treatment location in the depths of the brain, so our entry into the field is further testimony of Mazor's technological stability, which opens future business opportunities for the company.
Hadomi added, "The complete success of the SpineAssist in 2,000 spinal surgical procedures has made it valuable for brain surgeons as well. This success demonstrates that our robotic system is a platform for expanded surgical applications."
Mazor's share price 2.4% in morning trading to NIS 9.45, giving a market cap of NIS 205 million.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on May 3, 2011
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2011