LYON, France, Feb. 8, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EDAP TMS SA (Nasdaq:EDAP), the global leader in therapeutic ultrasound, announced today that an Ablatherm-HIFU device has been installed at the CEDIMAT Center (Centro Diagnóstico, Medicina Avanzada y Telemedicina) in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. EDAP's Ablatherm device is distributed in the area through an exclusive contract with Maple Leaf HIFU, assisted by its local partner Solimed. Patients across the area suffering from localized prostate cancer will now be able to benefit from this minimally invasive, robotized Ablatherm-HIFU procedure.

Dr. Octavio Cruz Piñeda, Director de la Unidad de Uro-Nefrología y Trasplante Renal de CEDIMAT, commented, "This robotized technique using focused ultrasound is one of the most innovative treatments to address localized prostate cancer. It precisely targets the tumor and preserves patient's quality of life, while avoiding all side effects linked to radical surgery."

Dr. Cruz Piñeda successfully treated eight patients, assisted by Dr. Stefan Thüroff, from Harlaching Hospital, Munich, Germany, the most experienced Ablatherm-HIFU operator with more than 2,000 prostate cancer patients treated with HIFU to date. Dr. Thüroff assisted Dr. Piñeda providing recommendations and comprehensive clinical training on the use of robotic Ablatherm-HIFU. This training allowed the clinical team to fully master utilizing HIFU to offer the most effective, minimally invasive treatment to patients with prostate cancer. Ablatherm-HIFU treatment takes less than two hours, patients recover very rapidly from the HIFU procedure, and related side effects are very limited.

Marc Oczachowski, EDAP's Chief Executive Officer, added, "I am very pleased that Ablatherm-HIFU technology is gaining momentum in the Caribbean area, offering patients with localized prostate cancer a valid and effective option to address their cancer. We worked closely with our Canadian distributor Maple Leaf HIFU to make our Ablatherm-HIFU technology available in the Caribbean area. We see this as a major step forward in the recognition and adoption of Ablatherm HIFU in this key North American region."

About EDAP TMS SA

EDAP TMS SA develops and markets Ablatherm, the most advanced and clinically proven choice for high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment of localized prostate cancer. HIFU treatment is shown to be a minimally invasive and effective treatment option with a low occurrence of side effects. Ablatherm-HIFU is generally recommended for patients with localized prostate cancer (stages T1-T2) who are not candidates for surgery or who prefer an alternative option, or for patients who failed radiotherapy treatment. Approved in Europe as a treatment for prostate cancer, Ablatherm-HIFU (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound) is currently undergoing evaluation in a multicenter U.S. Phase II/III clinical trial under an Investigational Device Exemption granted by the FDA, the ENLIGHT U.S. clinical study. The Company also is developing this technology for the potential treatment of certain other types of tumors. EDAP TMS SA also produces and commercializes medical equipment for treatment of urinary tract stones using extra-corporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL). For more information on the Company, please visit http://www.edap-tms.com, http://www.hifu-planet.com.

About Maple Leaf HIFU

Maple Leaf HIFU provides patients throughout North America with access to the latest proven treatment option available for localized prostate cancer: Ablatherm® High Intensity Focused Ultrasound. Maple Leaf HIFU first started treating patients in Toronto in 2005. Since that time, more than 500 patients have been treated at the clinic using Ablatherm HIFU, the most advanced and clinically proven choice for high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment of localized prostate cancer. Prostate cancer patients interested in being treated by Maple Leaf HIFU are advised to contact them at (877) 370-4438 or by visiting www.hifu.ca. 

About CEDIMAT

The center for Diagnosis, Advanced Medicine and Telemedicine (CEDIMAT), the "Plaza de la Salud," is one of the most modern medical centers in the Dominican Republic, Central America, and the Caribbean.

CEDIMAT counts with state-of-the-art technology, and with national as well as international medical personnel, highly specialized to offer medical services in the following areas: Imagery Diagnosis, Nuclear Medicine, Laboratory, lithotripsy, Endoscopes and Electric Wave Diagnosis, and Therapeutic Procedures in Advanced Medicine. CEDIMAT is the first medical service institution in the country with Telemedicine system available, permanently connected to the Massachusetts General Hospital for information and data exchange, inter-medical counseling and teleconference. For more information on CEDIMAT, please visit www.cedimat.com.

CONTACT:  Blandine Confort

          Investor Relations / Legal Affairs

          EDAP TMS SA

          +33 4 72 15 31 72

          bconfort@edap-tms.com



          Investors:

          Stephanie Carrington

          The Ruth Group

          646-536-7017

          scarrington@theruthgroup.com

News Provided by Acquire Media