Laserscope's Greenlight PV(R) Laser System Shows Potential for Treating Kidney Tumors

Researchers at the Cleveland Clinic Report Positive Results of Feasibility Trial 


SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 20  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Laserscope (NASDAQ:LSCP), a pioneer in the development and commercialization of minimally-invasive medical devices, including medical lasers and advanced fiber-optic delivery devices, today announced that recent animal trials conducted by researchers at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation ("Cleveland Clinic") demonstrated the successful application of the Company's GreenLight PV(R) laser system for laparoscopic partial nephrectomy in treating kidney masses or tumors.  The findings were reported in the September 2005 issue of The Journal of Urology.

Based on the trial study, Cleveland Clinic researchers concluded that the hemostatic, or blood clotting, properties specific to the GreenLight(TM) laser show a "real potential for clinical application."(1)  The study demonstrated that Laserscope's GreenLight PV(R) laser is feasible, in most cases, for the resection and vaporization of kidney tissue without having to interrupt blood supply to the kidney, thereby limiting the risk of organ damage.  Blood loss during the laser treatment was found to be minimal and all study animals survived the one-month follow-up without complications.

Dr. Alireza Moinzadeh, earlier a fellow at the Cleveland Clinic, and now Head of the Section of Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery at SUNY, Syracuse, and lead investigator in the study commented that, "This demonstration of the efficacy of KTP laser during laparoscopic partial nephrectomy without renal hilar clamping represents a significant step forward in the field."

Dr. Inderbir S. Gill, head, section of laparoscopic and robotic surgery at the Cleveland Clinic and senior author of the study added that, "The potential advantages of this new technique include optimization of renal function preservation, the complete eradication of cancer while eliminating the need for skill intensive suturing, thereby allowing a broader group of urologic surgeons to adopt laparoscopic partial nephrectomy."

"We are excited about this potential new application for our GreenLight PV(R) laser system, as well as the publication of the study's results in the Urology industry's pre-eminent academic journal," said Eric Reuter, President and Chief Executive Officer of Laserscope.  "We have believed for some time that the scientific properties of our GreenLight(TM) laser make it appropriate for treating a number of disorders, and have devoted appropriate research and development efforts toward identifying them.  Although additional research is needed before we can commercialize the GreenLight PV(R) laser for the treatment of kidney tumors, we believe that this study is the first step toward educating the marketplace about its potential benefits.  With more than 35,000 new cases of kidney tumors being diagnosed each year in the United States, we believe this is an important finding."

About Laserscope

Laserscope designs, manufactures, sells and services on a worldwide basis an advanced line of minimally-invasive medical products, including medical laser systems and related energy delivery devices for the office, outpatient surgical center, and hospital markets.  More information about Laserscope can be found on the Company's web site at http://www.laserscope.com/.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is subject to the safe harbor created by this section.  These forward-looking statements include statements about Laserscope's future business, competition, expected continued momentum of Laserscope's business and growth and market penetration.  These statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including among other risks: uncertainties regarding the viability of new applications for Laserscope's technology, the introduction of new technologies competitive to Laserscope's products and the degree to which the Company's current and new products are accepted by customers, which could affect the level of demand for our products; our dependence on sole source providers for key components and products; risk of reductions in government and private insurance reimbursement of hospitals and physicians for health care costs, which may negatively impact hospitals and physicians decisions to purchase our products reducing adoption rates and sales growth; risks that we may be unable to protect adequately the integrity, safety and proper use of our disposable fiber optic delivery device with the GreenLight PV(R) laser system, which could result in negative patient outcomes and reduce our disposable fiber recurring revenue stream; risks that patents and licenses that we hold may be challenged, invalidated or circumvented or that we may become the subject of intellectual property litigation; and uncertainties that new products will receive regulatory approval in applicable jurisdictions.  Actual results may differ materially due to these and other factors.  The matters discussed in this press release also involve risks and uncertainties described from time to time in Laserscope's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  In particular, see the Risk Factors described in Laserscope's most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K.  Copies of Laserscope's public disclosure filings with the SEC, including the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and the most recent forms 10-Q are available upon request from its Investor Relations Department at its website at http://www.laserscope.com/ or at the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov/.  Laserscope assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this press release.

   (1)  Moinzadeh A. et al, Potassium-Titanyl-Phosphate Laser Laparoscopic
        Partial Nephrectomy without Hilar Clamping in the Survival Calf
        Model -- The Journal of Urology -- Vol. 174, 1110-1114

   At Laserscope:                   At Financial Relations Board:
   Eric Reuter, President & CEO     Tricia Ross, Analyst Contact
   Derek Bertocci, CFO              [phone]
   [phone]                   Laurie Berman, General Information
                                    [phone]


DATASOURCE: Laserscope



CONTACT:  Eric Reuter, President & CEO, or Derek Bertocci, CFO, both of

Laserscope, [phone]; or analysts, Tricia Ross, [phone], or

general information, Laurie Berman, [phone], both of Financial

Relations Board, for Laserscope



Web site:  http://www.laserscope.com/ 

Copyright