First U.S. Procedures Completed With The Symphion™ Hysteroscopic Tissue Removal System

MARLBOROUGH, Mass., Nov. 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Boston Scientific Corporation BSX announces the completion of the first U.S. procedures performed with the Symphion System, designed for the hysteroscopic removal of interuterine fibroids and polyps. The all-in-one Symphion System combines a self-contained, recirculating fluid management system, direct intrauterine pressure monitoring and bladeless bipolar RF plasma resection to remove uterine tissue. Hysteroscopic removal of symptomatic fibroids and polyps is a minimally invasive surgical technique and intended to be less traumatic to the patient.   

"The Symphion System limits the amount of fluid that can be absorbed by the patient and provides excellent visualization with internal pressure monitoring and spot coagulation," said Dr. Amy Garcia, director of Minimally Invasive Gynecology at the Center for Women's Surgery in Albuquerque, New Mexico. "These features, coupled with bipolar resection, are game changers that greatly benefit both the clinician and the patient," said Dr. Garcia.

Fibroids and polyps, which affect an estimated two million women in the U.S. per year, are uterine growths that are symptomatic approximately 25% of the time and can cause pain, cramping, incontinence, constipation, excessive bleeding, and infertility. Hysteroscopic removal involves inserting specialized tools transcervically into the uterus under direct visualization to remove targeted tissue.

"The Symphion System expands our women's health portfolio into hysteroscopy, an important treatment option for women suffering from the symptoms associated with fibroids and polyps," said Karen Prange, president of Urology and Women's Health at Boston Scientific. "The successful completion of these first cases in the U.S. demonstrates the potential for this novel technology to improve the lives of patients."

Boston Scientific will introduce the system during the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL) 43rd Global Congress to be held in Vancouver, British Columbia, November 17th through the 21st.

About Boston Scientific
Boston Scientific transforms lives through innovative medical solutions that improve the health of patients around the world.  As a global medical technology leader for more than 35 years, we advance science for life by providing a broad range of high performance solutions that address unmet patient needs and reduce the cost of healthcare.  For more information, visit www.bostonscientific.com and connect on Twitter and Facebook.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Forward-looking statements may be identified by words like "anticipate," "expect," "project," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "intend" and similar words.  These forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and estimates using information available to us at the time and are not intended to be guarantees of future events or performance.  These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding our products, markets for our products, product performance and impact, presentations and competitive offerings.  If our underlying assumptions turn out to be incorrect, or if certain risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements.  These factors, in some cases, have affected and in the future (together with other factors) could affect our ability to implement our business strategy and may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the statements expressed in this press release.  As a result, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of our forward-looking statements. 

Factors that may cause such differences include, among other things: future economic, competitive, reimbursement and regulatory conditions; new product introductions; demographic trends; intellectual property; litigation; financial market conditions; and future business decisions made by us and our competitors.  All of these factors are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of them are beyond our control.  For a further list and description of these and other important risks and uncertainties that may affect our future operations, see Part I, Item 1A – Risk Factors in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which we may update in Part II, Item 1A – Risk Factors in Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q we have filed or will file hereafter.  We disclaim any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in our expectations or in events, conditions or circumstances on which those expectations may be based, or that may affect the likelihood that actual results will differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements.  This cautionary statement is applicable to all forward-looking statements contained in this document.

CONTACTS: 
Media: Nisha Deo
408-893-9243 (cell)
Global Media Relations
Boston Scientific Corporation
Nisha.Deo@bsci.com 

Investors: Susie Lisa, CFA
508-683-5565 (office)
Investor Relations
Boston Scientific Corporation
investor_relations@bsci.com

SOURCE Boston Scientific Corporation