Case Study: Medical Device Technologies

Background
Prostate cancer is the most prevalent malignancy in men and second most common cause of cancer death, with an estimated 186,320 new cases in 2008 in the US alone(1).

The majority of prostate cancers detected nowadays are clinically localized and likely to be cured.  For these tumors, radical prostatectomy (RP) remains a major treatment alternative.  Recent developments in technology have introduced the laparoscopic and robotic approaches to RP.  While decreased blood loss and a more rapid convalescence are expected, a major technical challenge in laparoscopic and robotic prostatectomy remains the urethrovesical anastomosis.  If not properly performed, prolonged postoperative urine leak, urinary incontinence and outflow obstruction secondary to bladder neck stricture may ensue.

Medical Innovation
Keren Medical has developed an innovative surgical instrument in collaboration with the urology community that enables completion of the difficult anastomosis in an accurate and watertight environment.  The company’s novel, patent-protected suturing technology provides the basis for a variety of complex surgical operations including radical prostatectomy and colonic anastomosis.  The result is a faster, more accurate operation resulting in early recovery of postoperative continence.

Based on existing suturing paradigm, the Keren anastomotic device allows surgeons to reconnect the urethral stump to the bladder neck with absorbable sutures in a rapid and safe manner.

Market opportunity
The U.S. Minimally Invasive Surgical Instruments and Laparoscopes Market generated revenues worth $497.9 million in 2002 and is likely to reach $709.8 million in 2009(2). The growth is expected to be driven by innovations in marketing techniques and the development of ergonomic instruments coupled with growth in new procedures.  These trends are expected to positively benefit market revenues for medical devices in the coming years.

About the developer
Keren Medical, Ltd. is a privately-held life sciences and medical device company engaged in the development and commercialization of its patented anastomosis suturing technology.  The company’s flagship device delivers simultaneous and uninterrupted precision in urethrovesical anastomosis through the bladder neck and urethral stump.  The company is represented by Dr. Eyal Bressler & Co. for its worldwide patent needs.