Hansen Medical Announces Completion of First Robot-Assisted Uterine Fibroid Embolization Procedure in United States

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA--(Marketwired - Oct 21, 2014) - Hansen Medical, Inc. (NASDAQ: HNSN), a global leader in intravascular robotics, today announced the completion of the first robot-assisted Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) in the United States. Sandeep Rao, MD, Interventional Radiologist, performed the procedure at Sierra Medical Center in El Paso, Texas using the Magellan Robotic System.

"I am extremely pleased by the outcome of this initial procedure," said Dr. Rao. "Robotic catheters have the potential to provide enhanced control and precision, especially in the small, often tortuous blood vessels involved in UFE. The Magellan system enables us to offer a compelling, non-surgical, robotic treatment option for a condition affecting a large number of women."

Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous tumors in or around the uterus, and are the most common benign tumors in women. Between 20 and 40% of women over the age of 20 will develop a symptomatic uterine fibroid before reaching menopause. Uterine fibroids are associated with symptoms including irregular and prolonged menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain or pressure, lower back pain, constipation, frequent urination or painful intercourse.

Uterine Fibroid Embolization is a proven, non-surgical procedure in which a catheter is used to deliver tiny particles to block the blood vessels supplying blood to the fibroids. When compared with more invasive alternative treatment options, UFE offers the potential for a shorter hospital stay, a faster recovery time, and keeping the uterus intact. Approximately 30,000 UFE procedures are performed in the United States annually. While robot-assisted UFE procedures have been performed in Europe with the Magellan system, this week's procedure at Sierra Medical Center was the first in the United States.

The Magellan Robotic System offers physicians robotic catheter control and stability during complex procedures in the peripheral blood vessels, and is used by physicians worldwide in a wide variety of catheter-based procedures. With the recent FDA 510(k) clearance for the smaller diameter Magellan 6Fr Robotic Catheter, physicians are now able to perform robotic procedures in smaller blood vessels, including those accessed during a UFE procedure.

"Congratulations to Dr. Rao and the entire team at Sierra Medical Center on this exciting milestone," said Cary Vance, President and CEO of Hansen Medical. "With the recent introduction of the new 6Fr Robotic Catheter, physicians and hospitals are now able to broaden their use of Magellan and apply the benefits of robotic control and precision to intravascular procedures in smaller blood vessels, including UFE."