Latest News about Trabectome and its developer, NeoMedix,Inc.

Beautiful city of Naples, Florida hosted the American Glaucoma Society’s 2010 Annual Meeting. NeoMedix successfully exhibited the four days conference and once again enjoyed welcoming surgeons and industry experts to its booth display.

Trabectome posters were presented by doctors Karim Damji, Brian Francis, Paul Harasymowycz, Don Minckler and Steve Vold. You can access their latest posters here (link to posters and presentation download page). Trabectome was also featured in many talks and presentations and the general consensus amongst those who participated in the discussions was that 72 months of follow-up clinical data continues to show its effectiveness at controlling IOP safely and predictably.

Thank you to all those who supported us and contributed to this successfully attended show.

Trabectome Training. 18 March 2010. Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles, CA
The Egyptian Ophthalmological society (EOS. 17-19 March 2010. Grand Hyatt Hotel, Cairo, Egypt
ASCRS Symposium & Congress. 9-14, April. 2010 Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, Boston, MA
AAPOS 36th Annual Meeting 14-18, April ,2010. The Swan, Orlando, Florida

Trabectome Surgical Training:

All Trabectome surgeons are required to participate in a training course prior to offering Trabectome to their patients. Trabectome attacks the disease through the removal of the Trabecular Meshwork, the tissue which blocks the aqueous humour from its natural release. The removal of the Trabecular Meshwork restores the body’s natural equilibrium.

There are three elements of Trabectome Training: Didactic, wet lab, and surgical observation.
The didactic consists of a brief lecture about Trabectome: its origins, histology, patient selection, surgical recommendations, patient follow up, and how it benefits patients. The didactic offers doctors an opportunity to ask the Trabectome Trainer about the procedure and protocol of using Trabectome.

Following the didactic is a wet lab allowing doctors the “hands on” experience of using the Trabectome system. A human cornea rim from a deceased organ donor is used. Each doctor has the opportunity to practice the essential elements of the Trabectome procedure on the donated rim. Doctors continually comment that the wet lab is beneficial because it provides a great learning opportunity, and they are surprised at the tactile sensation that can be felt when the hand-piece is placed in shlemm’s canal.

The third, and final stage, is surgical observation. It provides the opportunity to see Trabectome in action. It involves watching a certified Trabectome surgeon perform the operation. Training doctors enjoy watching the procedure live because they learn details such as: microscope tilt, head placement, probe insertion, etc. After the surgery, the performing doctor recaps the experience and answers questions. All three segments complement each other and trained doctors become confident in performing the procedure.

NeoMedix offers complimentary training at our office (Tustin, CA) once a month. Doctors take part in the didactic and wet lab on Sunday followed by surgical observation on Monday morning. Trabectome training is limited and reservations are required.

In addition , NeoMedix sponsors remote Trabectome trainings throughout the world. Complimentary training is provided to any hospital which orders the machine prior to a doctor getting trained. Advantages of having training in the doctor’s home hospital are: all staff surgeons can be trained and there is no travel. NeoMedix conducts the training with a technician and a Trabectome Trainer whom teach the three elements of training.

NeoMedix is continually planning training opportunities. Please visit http://www.neomedix.net/Learning/TrabectomeTraining/Register/ to register for training. 2010 will present more Trabectome Training opportunities throughout the world.

NeoMedix is grateful for the privilege and the opportunity of supporting the efforts of the individuals that have made it to be their mission to maintain sights for individuals suffering from Glaucoma.

NeoMedix will be attending the upcoming conference and tradeshows. We very much look forward to seeing everyone at these events.

March 4-7, 2010
AGS - 20th American Glaucoma Society Annual Meeting, Naples Grande Resort in Naples, FL

April 9-14, 2010
ASCRS*ASOA Annual Symposium & Congress, Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, Boston
Trabectome/NeoMedix Booth 1909

April 14-18, 2010
AAPOS - American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus Annual Spring North American Convention - Walt Disney World Swan, Orlando, FL

May 2-6, 2010
ARVO Annual Meeting, Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center - Fort Lauderdale, FL
Trabectome/NeoMedix Booth 602

AAO 2009 was a success for Trabectome.  The NeoMedix booth had little down time with doctors continually wanting to learn about the procedure.  The atmosphere at AAO was fast-paced with nearby booths in shock at the constant activity at the NeoMedix booth.  The Trabectome crew enjoyed the opportunity to educate new doctors/potential distributors/potential sales representatives on the benefits of Trabectome.

AAO provided attendees multiple opportunities to learn about Trabectome.  The booth was a hotbed of activity.  NeoMedix published new patient data showing the procedure’s efficacy.  Patient data shows long term results and the first patients are entering into their 6^th year post-Trabectome.  In addition to the newly published data, Trabectome was discussed in a Scientific Poster by Dr. Don Minckler, Trabectome Outcomes 2004-2009: Subgroup Analyses.  Patients are benefitting from Trabectome.  The surgery is minimally invasive and removes the pathogen which causes the IOP to spike.  IOP returns to normal after Trabectome, topical medications are reduced, complications are minimal, and patients maintain the conjunctiva of their eye.   

Doctors using Trabectome are seeing the positive results of the procedure on a daily basis.  To assist in teaching patients how Trabectome works, NeoMedix unveiled an educational system to be placed in the observation rooms at all Trabectome locations.  The education system will allow doctors to educate their patients on the benefits of the Trabectome procedure.  Doctors were impressed by the display and wanted it immediately.  All Trabectome locations have been provided the educational displays.  Multiple locations have asked for additional systems so that all of their observational rooms will be equipped. 

The opportunity at AAO to see and hear stories from doctors using Trabectome was great and confirms the outstanding results which have been verified in our data.  New doctors are continually approaching NeoMedix to learn about Trabectome.   The leading ophthalmic hospitals are offering Trabectome and multiple new stations around the country have spotlighted Trabectome as a revolutionary surgery for the treatment of Glaucoma.  Patients from around the world are contacting NeoMedix to learn about Trabectome locations near their residence and to understand if they may be candidates for the procedure. 

AAO provided an opportunity for Trabectome Training.  Doctors were able to get Trabectome Trained with full training certification available.  AAO hosted a Didactic for more than 150 doctors.  Thirty-two became fully trained Trabectome doctors because of their participation in the Wet Lab and viewing of a moderated surgical video.  The training was a success and NeoMedix is looking forward to offering the training at AAO 2010.

AAO was a great opportunity for doctors from all parts of the world to be introduced to the procedure.  Trabectome has received FDA clearance and has received its CE mark from Europe.  Trabectome is able to be performed around the world and because of regulatory approval in foreign countries; foreign distributors want to offer Trabectome.  NeoMedix had success meeting with multiple distributors who have expressed interest in Trabectome.  International distribution will continue to expand Trabectome to all corners of the world.

Trabectome was well received at AAO 2009 keeping the NeoMedix team busy.  The weekend was full of doctors visiting our booth to learn about the product.  Multiple meetings were set up with distributors and sales representatives.  A buzz about Trabectome was pervasive throughout AAO.  NeoMedix will ride the success of AAO through 2010 and the NeoMedix team is expecting Trabectome to continue to grow both domestically and internationally. 

NeoMedix is pleased to announce that Trabectome was present at the Chinese Ophthalmological Society 2009 Congress on August 26, 2009 in Chongqing, China. Our authorized distributor Beijing Medical Instruments reported good foot traffic and a dynamic show.