Smith & Nephew expands uterine care portfolio with innovative diagnostic device

LONDON, Oct. 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Smith & Nephew (LSE:SN NYSE:SNN), the global medical technology business, today announces an agreement with Femasys Inc., the medical device developer of women's healthcare solutions, to become the sole provider in the United States of Femasys' FemVue^® Saline-Air Device. FemVue is a non-radiologic device that aids in the evaluation of a woman's fallopian tubes as part of a sono-hysterosalpingogram (Sono HSG) procedure – an important test that can help assess a woman's ability to become pregnant.

The agreement was announced yesterday at the conjoint meeting of the International Federation of Fertility Societies (IFFS) and the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) in Boston.

"We are pleased to offer gynecologists and their patients this innovative and minimally-invasive diagnostic test," says Mira Sahney, Vice President and General Manager of Smith & Nephew's Gynecology business. "FemVue complements our TRUCLEAR™ System and reinforces our commitment to offer industry-leading innovation that benefits healthcare providers and the patients they serve."

The FemVue device allows physicians to expand their office-based services with a procedure that is more convenient for patients and cost-effective for payors. Rather than performing a more expensive hysterosalpingogram (HSG) procedure in a hospital or outpatient radiology center setting, physicians are able to eliminate the use of x-rays by coupling saline and air with existing ultrasound technology when performing the Sono-HSG procedure. This procedure can be performed quickly and conveniently in the outpatient setting of a gynecologist's office or fertility clinic. Results are generally available during the same office visit.

"FemVue can be easily incorporated into any gynecological practice, allowing women to benefit from this much needed technology," says Kathy Lee-Sepsick, President & CEO of Femasys Inc.  "We are excited to begin this partnership with Smith & Nephew and are confident FemVue's reach will be greatly expanded."

"There is anxiety and stress inherent in the fertility treatment process; FemVue helps ease some of that natural discomfort," says Dr. Chuck Miller of the Advanced IVF Institute in Chicago.  "My patients are more comfortable and the procedure is more efficient in the known environment of our office, rather than having to perform an HSG in the hospital."

FemVue complements the TRUCLEAR System, which is the cornerstone of Smith & Nephew's uterine care business. As part of the diagnostic procedure during which FemVue is used, both the uterus and fallopian tubes are evaluated for abnormalities. If uterine polyps or fibroids are suspected, the patient could be a candidate for a follow-up TRUCLEAR procedure, during which the polyps or fibroids would be removed.  Similar to tubal factors, polyps and fibroids are also a known cause of infertility.

About Femasys
Femasys, based in Atlanta, Georgia, is a privately held corporation committed to advancing women's healthcare worldwide with innovative medical devices developed to meet the various needs that may arise during a woman's life.

About Smith & Nephew
Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business dedicated to helping improve people's lives. With leadership positions in Orthopaedic Reconstruction, Advanced Wound Management, Sports Medicine and Trauma, Smith & Nephew has around 11,000 employees and a presence in more than 90 countries. Annual sales in 2012 were more than $4.1 billion. Smith & Nephew is a member of the FTSE100 (LSE: SN, NYSE: SNN).

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SOURCE Smith & Nephew