Novadaq Technologies has announced that Dr. Giovanni Staurenghi, (Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Department of Otorhinolaryngological and Ophthalmological Science University of Milan, Italy), reported preliminary data on 24-patients in an on-going study using the Company's proprietary technology to treat wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).
The data were presented on Thursday, February 24th, 2005 at the 28th Annual Macula Society Meeting held in Key Biscayne, Florida.
"Having previously treated hundreds of patients with Feeder Vessel Therapy (FVT), the Novadaq ICG system definitely represents a major step forward in the evolution of FVT for AMD," said Dr. Giovanni Staurenghi. "The ICG fluorescence made the feeder vessels highly and easily detectable during treatment, in real time, allowing for easy closure of them."
Dr. Staurenghi reported on 24 patients that had been treated at the time of the abstract deadline, 12 who were treated with the Company's state-of-the- art imaging and laser device alone, and the other 12 with the same device using indocyanine green (ICG), a florescent imaging agent, to enhance FV photocoagulation during the FVT procedure. All patients were treated at one centre outside of Milan, Italy. The study reported 3 preliminary conclusions: 1) FVT with ICG produced a higher rate of closure than without, 83% versus 64%; 2) FVT with ICG requires application of fewer laser treatment spots than without ICG (3 to 9 vs. 100 to 300); and 3) the confirmation of feeder vessel closure at the end of the procedure is indicated by temporary incarceration of dye immediately after treatment.