Sound Waves take Aim at Prostate Cancer

High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) now Available at Center in Argentina

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- USHIFU, LLC, the exclusive distributor of the Sonablate(R) 500 in North, Central and South America, announced the opening of the Argentina HIFU, the newest clinic to offer high intensity focused ultrasound for prostate cancer in Buenos Aires this month.

The urologists offering HIFU in the center are Edgardo Becher, MD; Marcelo Borghi, MD; and Luis Montes de Oca, MD. These physicians are the Directors of the Urology Center (CDU), a private center in Argentina exclusively devoted to urology and its subspecialties. These physicians completed the first HIFU treatments in Argentina last month and are excited about offering the non invasive treatment option to patients facing prostate cancer.

"These treatments also marked the first HIFU cases performed with the Sonablate(R)500 in South America," said Steve Puckett, Jr., USHIFU Chief Executive Officer. "We are thrilled to announce the initiation of a partnership with the prestigious urologists of the CDU clinic in Buenos Aires. This is a large strategic milestone for Argentina HIFU, USHIFU and its affiliates as we now have an organization that will become the center of excellence for our HIFU treatment program and physician training initiative in the region."

HIFU utilizes focused sound waves to rapidly heat and destroy the tissue within the prostate. The Sonablate(R) 500, the HIFU device, utilizes a transrectal probe to deliver ultrasound energy directly to the prostate without causing damage to areas outside the gland.

"HIFU Argentina is pleased to announce that the first HIFU treatments were held at the CDU the first week of July. We are proud to be the first center with this technology in the country and in South America, said Eric van Kregten, Manager Argentina HIFU.

"With this partnership, the CDU has enhanced their commitment to being a leader in the field of urology. We look forward to the growth of HIFU through coverage by principal medical insurance companies as well as private patients in Argentina."

Traditional treatments for prostate cancer such as surgery, radiation, or cryotherapy (freezing) can lead to undesirable side effects such as impotence and incontinence. International studies have shown that HIFU with the Sonablate(R) 500 minimizes the side effects associated with other treatment modalities and helps to preserve quality of life.

In Argentina, where HIFU is available now, the treatment is a one-time, outpatient procedure. It has also been used worldwide as a salvage therapy for patients who have had other treatments and have not been satisfied with the outcome.

For more information about Argentina HIFU or other International HIFU Centers in the Americas, visit http://www.internationalhifu.com/.

The Sonablate(R) 500 is developed and owned by Focus Surgery, Inc. and manufactured under contract by Misonix, Inc. (NASDAQ:MSON) who also holds distribution rights in Europe. Takai Hospital Supply Ltd. and THS International distribute the Sonablate(R) 500 in Southeast Asian and the Middle East.

Source: USHIFU, LLC