Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems AG
Corneal Ring Tunnel and Stromal Pocket incisions and Lamellar
Keratoplasty procedures now available on the FEMTO LDV™
Port, Switzerland; November 5, 2008 – Ziemer Group today announced the immediate release of
the Lamellar Corneal Surgery Module ("LCS Module") for the FEMTO LDV™ Femtosecond
Surgical Laser. The module, which is available as an optional accessory for new and previously
installed LDV systems, includes a newly designed hand-piece that allows for cutting depths
from 250 to 450 microns and features a built-in camera for precise centering.
The geometry of tunnel and pocket patterns can be constructed by the user via an intuitive graphical
user interface and allows for maximum flexibility in the design of dissection patterns. Patterns can be
centered after suction has been established and under direct visual control.
With the superior tissue dissection performance provided by the proven high-speed, low pulse energy,
small-spot femtolaser technology of the FEMTO LDV and with new optics optimized for deeper stromal
incisions, the FEMTO LDV system now delivers unique flexibility and unparalleled performance for
creating circular tunnel incisions for intracorneal rings, stromal pockets for corneal inlays, and for
lamellar Keratoplasty procedures.
"With the very precise control over the width, diameter, position, and depth of the intrastromal tunnels,
we can optimize the incision to the specific dimensions of a given set of ring segments and to the
requirements dictated by the shape of the cornea to be treated", said Werner Bernau, PhD, Vice
President of Clinical Research with Ziemer Group; "this optimizes the therapeutic effect that is achieved
with the corneal ring implant." And Tony Wirthlin, PhD, Ziemer's Vice President of Marketing, adds:
"Superior cutting performance yields precisely shaped tunnels in which ring segments can be inserted
with unprecedented ease. Inserting rings used to be difficult and risky, and results were unpredictable.
The LDV makes ring insertions a precision procedure that gives predictable and reproducible results."
At the annual congress of the American Academy of Ophthalmology in Atlanta, GA this week, the
FEMTO LDV's new capabilities will be demonstrated live in a wetlab environment. At the femtolaser
users meeting sponsored by Ziemer (November 7, 2008 in Atlanta, GA), clinical results obtained with
the LDV Lamellar Corneal Surgery Module will be presented, together with an overview of the results
obtained with over 100 sold LDV systems in over 20'000 LASIK procedures performed to date.
About Ziemer:
Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems, a Ziemer Group company, is domiciled in Port (Switzerland). Ziemer develops, manufactures, and
markets surgical and diagnostic devices for the ophthalmic and optometric market. Main activities include corneal and refractive
surgery, and diagnostic tools for refractive and Glaucoma specialists. Founded in 1998, Ziemer Group currently has 100 employees
and actively markets its products world-wide. Besides its Switzerland-based headquarters, Ziemer has a marketing subsidiary in the
USA. The Ziemer product portfolio includes the FEMTO LDV™ Femtosecond Surgical Laser, the AMADEUS II® Comprehensive
Microkeratome System, the GALILEI™ Dual Scheimpflug Camera, and the PASCAL® Dynamic Contour Tonometer.
Ziemer USA, Inc. is a fully owned subsidiary of Ziemer Group. It markets all Ziemer Group products in the USA.
The FEMTO LDV™ has been engineered and is manufactured by SIE AG, a Ziemer Group Company, and is marketed and
distributed by Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems AG and its worldwide network of authorized distributors. FEMTO LDV™ is a trademark
For more information, go to www.ziemergroup.com.
Contact:
Dr. Anton Wirthlin
Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems AG, CH-2562
Port, Switzerland
Phone: +41 32 332 7050;
mail: [email protected]