Introducing Spheris Medical
This article was originally published in The Gray Sheet
Executive Summary
Artes Medical creates a wholly-owned subsidiary called Spheris Medical June 12 to develop non-aesthetic applications of its ArteFill non-resorbable, injectable dermal filler. Pipeline products include using the microsphere technology for bulking the esophageal sphincter (ArteFlux) and the urinary sphincter (ArteSure) to treat gastro esophageal reflux disease and stress urinary incontinence, respectively. Other potential applications include spinal disc repair, treating snoring by bulking the soft palate and respiratory tissue, adding cushioning to the bottom of the foot to treat pain, and treatments for fecal incontinence, Artes says. ArteFill, the firm's only commercial product, gained PMA approval in October for correcting smile lines (1"The Gray Sheet" Jan. 1, 2007, p. 12)...