FREMONT, Calif. (December 1, 2008) Cardima, Inc. (OTCBB: CADM) has engaged Las Vegas-based Western Medical Inc. as a distributor for the Cardima Surgical Ablation System and the EP Pathfinder line of diagnostic catheters in the Southern California, Arizona and Nevada regions, including the Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, Phoenix and Tucson markets. Western Medical has a significant presence within the electrophysiology and surgical ablation community in these regions. The marketing program will commence immediately with the training of Western Medical’s 35 field sales representatives.
The Surgical Ablation System uses Cardima’s patented technology for the ablation and treatment of cardiac tissue. The System incorporates a microcatheter-based surgical probe coupled with Cardima’s INTELLITEMP®, a radiofrequency energy management device. The probe incorporates illumination, suction, and irrigation, which aid in placement and lesion depth. The Cardima Surgical Ablation System is able to create deep, long, linear and transmural cardiac lesions without gaps. The small, flexible design offers sole port-hole access, potentially decreasing procedure time, patient hospital stay and discomfort.
The PATHFINDER® line is comprised of highly unique diagnostic microcatheters. Their small size and enhanced flexibility of the guide wire core design allow the electrophysiologist to access the most tortuous and smallest vessels of the cardiac vasculature. The microcatheters have the ability to decrease procedure time and access areas of the heart other devices cannot. These features add great benefits for all EP Labs doing advanced procedures.
“This new distribution relationship expands our geographic reach and marks another step in our ongoing strategy to build a strong nationwide distribution network and make the Cardima Surgical Ablation System the number one choice for surgeons performing extensive linear ablation procedures,” stated Cardima’s CEO, Robert Cheney. “Western Medical has highly experienced field representatives and a successful record marketing quality products to our core cardiac surgeon customer base, as well as established relationships with electrophysiologists and cardiologists, who can play a key role in patient referrals for cardiac ablation procedures.”
Caesar Fonte, Founder of Western Medical, said, “We are delighted to be working with Cardima to bring its advanced Surgical Ablation System to our surgeon customers. Our field representatives have noted an increased interest from surgeons for better tools to perform complex and extensive ablation procedures. Key advantages of the Cardima system include its ability to easily create precise lesions of varying length and shape, and to create linear transmural lesions without gaps, as well as the ease with which it can be manipulated. We can now offer surgeons this advanced device for performing complex ‘open chest’ and ‘closed chest’ cardiac ablation procedures.” Mr. Fonte continued, “We also are pleased to add the Cardima EP diagnostic and guide catheters to our catalogue as these products offer unique advantages for our EP customers not available from any competitive product.”
About CardimaPATHFINDER®, TRACER™, VUEPORT®, NAVIPORT®, REVELATION® and INTELLITEMP® are registered trademarks of Cardima, Inc.
For more information, please visit the Company's Web site at www.cardima.com.
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Contact:
Company Contact:
Dr. Richard Gaston
Cardima, Inc.
(510) 354-0300
http://www.cardima.com
Investor Contacts:
Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates
Jody Cain (jcain@lhai.com)
Kevin McCabe (kmccabe@lhai.com)
(310) 691-7100