Energy Life Systems Corp. obtains U.S. patent and a grant from the National Institute of Health...

COSTA MESA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 6, 1996--Energy Life Systems Corp. has obtained a United States patent which covers the company's proprietary fiberoptic laser catheter for simultaneous diagnosis and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias; especially ventricular tachycardia.

Ventricular

tachycardia, the leading cause of death in the United States, is a condition of abnormally rapid and irregular heart beat. It occurs when diseased tissue in the heart wall alters the electrical signal that paces the heart. The condition is generally a complication of a heart attack and can result in sudden death if untreated.

Currently, there is no effective cure for ventricular tachycardia. Implantable defibrillators are the present standard of care. However, implantable defibrillators do not cure the disease, are expensive, and adversely affect the quality of life of the patient.

The laser ablation technology being developed by Energy Life Systems promises to provide a cost-effective and minimally invasive cure for ventricular tachycardia. It is estimated that 500,000 patients could benefit from this treatment every year. The company's novel catheter utilizes multiple electrodes for mapping the inner surface of the heart chambers in order to identify the source of arrhythmia. A fiberoptic delivery system is built into this catheter to deliver laser energy to the site of arrhythmia in order to cure this condition.

The company also received a grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, a division of the National Institute of Health (NIH) to develop this product under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program.

Energy Life Systems is a privately held company that is focused on the development, manufacturing and distribution of novel fiberoptic and laser products for the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease.

CONTACT: Energy Life Systems Corp., Costa Mesa

Hany Hussein, 714/435-0340