Invuity, a leading developer of state-of-the-art surgical
visualization and illumination technology, today announced that its advanced
Eigr™ Breast Retractor System will be featured in several key presentations and
demonstrations at the American Society of Breast Surgeons’ Annual Meeting (May
2-6) at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort in Phoenix, AZ.
Invuity’s proprietary Eigr™ (pronounced
eye-gr) technology is designed to enhance visualization and tissue
retraction during breast surgery. Invuity introduced its illuminated breast
retractor system last October. Since then, the Eigr™ Breast Retractor System
has been enthusiastically received by surgeons across the country and used in a
wide range of procedures.
“Patients are looking beyond the cancer surgery and are
expecting better cosmetic outcomes,” said Philip Sawyer, chief executive
officer of Invuity. “Surgeons need better visualization to enable smaller
incisions. With Invuity’s Eigr™ technology, surgeons now have the sophisticated
devices they need to see and operate efficiently and effectively to satisfy the
needs of their patients.”
According to the American Cancer Society, there are more
than 2.5 million women in the United
States who are breast cancer survivors; many
chose surgery to remove the cancer. As breast cancer surgery incisions become
smaller, the need for enhanced illumination and visualization increases. Invuity’s
Eigr™ Breast Retractor System helps surgeons to better visualize delicate
structures by delivering cool illumination inside the incision and directly
into the surgical cavity where they need it most. The ability to see is
critical, particularly in skin and nipple-sparing mastectomies, which are
increasingly popular.
“The illumination of the operative field with Eigr™
technology enables me to improve my operative efficiency and gives me greater
confidence for patient safety,” said Dr. Richard Fine, director of
Advanced Breast Care of Georgia and past ASBS president. “I have much
greater visualization during skin and nipple-sparing mastectomies.”
The highly engineered Eigr™ technology utilizes unique
optical structures to control light output to a targeted operative space. Eigr™
technology virtually eliminates shadows, back reflection, glare and thermal
effects such as overheating because surgeons can direct the light from multiple
angles and efficiently manage light across a broad output surface. All of
Invuity’s devices are also ergonomically designed so that surgeons have greater
comfort, control and maneuverability. Invuity will also introduce additional
retractor sizes to the Eigr™ Breast Retractor System that will allow for
greater flexibility in performing various breast surgeries, including
nipple-sparing and skin-sparing mastectomies, lumpectomies and axillary lymph
node dissections.
“We have seen a great momentum in the use of Eigr™
technology among surgeons, who value its ability to help them visualize
better,” said Sawyer. “As the number of tissue and nipple-sparing
procedures grows, surgeons need and want the best illumination technology for
their patients.”
Last year, Invuity closed $17.6 million in Series C funding
designed to support the commercial launch of multiple new product
introductions. The funding was led by InterWest Partners, and current investor
Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers also participated.
Invuity offers a suite of products that integrate Eigr™
technology and address procedures in a variety of surgical specialties
including spine, orthopedics and head and neck.
About Invuity
Invuity develops medical devices to dramatically improve visualization in less
invasive surgeries. The company’s products incorporate its proprietary Eigr™
illumination technology into advanced access systems for a variety of surgical
specialties. Invuity has received funding from InterWest Partners and Kleiner
Perkins Caufield & Byers. The company is headquartered in San Francisco. For more information, visit www.invuity.com.
