New excimer laser enables psoriasis and vitiligo treatments three times faster

June 3, 2009

JUNE 2, 2009--PhotoMedex, Inc. (Montgomeryville, PA) has announced the availability of its XTRAC Velocity Excimer Laser, a device that promises to redefine treatment options for those with psoriasis and vitiligo. Because the Velocity can cover a much greater surface area in a treatment session--up to 20% of the body surface in five minutes versus 2-4% for other lasers--it is the first practical alternative to pharmaceuticals or full-body UV irradiation for patients with severe psoriasis.

JUNE 2, 2009--PhotoMedex, Inc. (Montgomeryville, PA), developer of proprietary excimer laser and fiber optic systems for dermatological applications, has announced the availability of its XTRAC Velocity Excimer Laser, a device it says is "expected to redefine laser treatment options for patients suffering from psoriasis and vitiligo."

According to PhotoMedex, two separate independent third-party agencies confirmed that the XTRAC Ultra, precursor to the XTRAC Velocity excimer laser, is the most accurate, powerful, and fastest excimer laser available to date. And now the Velocity laser, which features an average laser power of up to 7.2 watts delivered to the patient, boasts a treatment time nearly three times faster than that of the XTRAC Ultra. In performance tests the device has been able to treat lesions of 3,500 cm2 (600 mj/cm2) in 4 minutes, 52 seconds*—roughly 1/3 the time required by the Ultra.

Because the Velocity excimer laser can cover a much greater surface area in the average treatment session--up to 20% of the body surface in five minutes versus only 2 to 4% for alternative lasers--it is the first practical alternative to potent pharmaceuticals or full-body UV irradiation for patients with severe psoriasis.

"For patients, the Velocity will dramatically shorten treatment times, increase the size and number of lesions that can be treated per session, and open laser therapy as a viable alternative for patients who were not necessarily laser candidates in the past," said Jeff O'Donnell, president of PhotoMedex. And for dermatology practices, "the Velocity will make it practical to treat as many as 32 patients per day."

With a maximum repetition rate of 400 Hz and delivered laser energy of 12 to 18 millijoules/pulse, PhotoMedex' XTRAC Velocity boasts an unparalleled safety profile and effectiveness with a long duration of remission.

The Velocity offers a new full-color touchscreen control interface. The screen and built-in database tracking software goes beyond normal equipment operation to incorporate patient information including ID generation, recognition, treatment history, dosing heuristics and more. Also included for the first time on the Velocity is a touch control handpiece that allows the laser treatment to be delivered more easily compared to conventional footswitch-controlled devices.

Like all the excimer lasers in the PhotoMedex line, the Velocity is available to clinics at no direct cost via a consignment-based business model. Thanks to the "Profit per Treatment" model, dermatologists provide Velocity laser therapy to their customers, paying a fee only on treatments rendered. In-service training is provided by a dedicated PhotoMedex clinical specialist. Reimbursement support is also provided by a team of direct employee-insurance specialists who continue to receive positive reviews from both office staff and patients for their dedicated and knowledgeable support. Purchase options and financing for PhotoMedex lasers are available as well.

* Treatment time calculations do not include the overhead associated with moving the hand piece.

For more information on the XTRAC Velocity see PhotoMedex's website. Or, call 1-877-44-XTRAC or email [email protected].

Posted by Barbara G. Goode, [email protected], for BioOptics World.