The Sorin Group (MIL:SRN), and Greatbatch, Inc., (NYSE: GB) announced
today the execution of a letter of intent that will leverage Greatbatch´s
eM-ableâ„¢ technology in the Sorin Group´s
future cardiac rhythm management (CRM) systems.
Catherine Picard, vice-president of Research & Development at Sorin
Group said: "We are very excited by the
opportunity to leverage Greatbatch´s eM-ableTM technology to accelerate our MRI program and deliver MRI conditional
systems to patients and physicians worldwide in the shortest possible
time."
Many patients implanted with a pacemaker or a defibrillator (ICD) cannot
take advantage of an MRI scan, because energy from this life-saving
technology can change how a device controls the heart, damages the
device or injures the heart tissue surrounding it.
MRI Conditional approved devices are critical to allow patients with
active implantable medical devices (AIMDs) to safely have an MRI for
diagnostic evaluation.
"As we see more patients receive AIMD´s
the need for MRI conditional devices will continue to grow," said Mauricio Arellano, senior vice president of Greatbatch´s
CRM & Neuromodulation business. "This
potential partnership with Sorin Group would meet that demand by
securing our technology in their next generation devices."
John Farrell, vice-president of Greatbatch´s
Therapy Delivery business, added: "There has
been extensive research and technology development on eM-ableâ„¢
and we are excited to get moving on our first commercialization program
that will bring the technology to market, improving patient safety."
About eM-ableTM Safe MRI
Solutions
eM-ableTM technology can be incorporated into
implantable devices to enhance safety for patients during MRI scans.
Recently issued patent 7,363,090 by the U.S. Patent and Trademark
Office, eM-ableTM utilizes the technology of a
band stop filter to attenuate frequency during an MRI and eliminate
heating of electrodes within an implanted stimulation system.
For additional information go to http://www.greatbatch.com/Medical/technologies.aspx.
About the Sorin Group
The Sorin Group (Bloomberg: SRN.IM; Reuters: SORN.MI), a world leader in
the development of medical technologies for cardiac surgery, offers
innovative therapies for cardiac rhythm dysfunctions, interventional
cardiology and the treatment of chronic kidney diseases. The Sorin Group
includes these brands: Dideco, CarboMedics, COBE Cardiovascular, Stöckert
Mitroflow, ELA Medical, Sorin Biomedica, Bellco and Bellco-Soludia. At
the Sorin Group 4,500 employees work to serve over 5,000 public and
private treatment centers in more than 80 countries throughout the world.
For more information, please visit: www.sorin.com or www.sorin-crm.com.
