Los Angeles, CA – miVIP Surgery Centers has announced that its Tustin location is the first in Southern California to offer High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) tissue ablation with Sonablate® as an outpatient treatment for prostate cancer. Sonablate® was installed in mid-November and its leading urologist, Ashok Kar, MD, successfully performed the center’s first two U.S.-based prostate tissue ablation procedures on December 12, 2015.

Sonablate® is the first device to receive regulatory authorization from the FDA for the focused ultrasound ablation of prostate tissue. Since its introduction over 15 years ago, Sonablate® technology has been used around the world on nearly 15,000 patients in over 30 countries, including approximately 4,000 U.S. men who have had this procedure performed outside the U.S.

“We are proud to announce that our miVIP Tustin location is the first surgery center in Southern California to perform and provide patients access to HIFU,” says Isaac Verbukh, MD, CEO of miVIP Surgery Centers. “Under the expert guidance of Dr. Kar, qualified patient candidates now have a viable alternative to radiation or surgery. miVIP remains committed to its patients and physicians across the U.S. in providing the most advanced and clinically-proven medical technology in an outpatient setting.”

Dr. Kar has actively used Sonablate® technology since 2012 and is an avid supporter of high intensity focused ultrasound for the ablation of targeted tissue in the prostate. “I am excited to offer HIFU as an alternative to surgery or radiation to selected patients. HIFU has been used globally for the past 14 years and is now available to us in the U.S. I have treated many patients overseas using HIFU and am impressed with the outcomes and benefits which include retaining continence and sexual function. With the use of Duplex Doppler during the treatment, we are able to protect the neurovascular bundles that are necessary for sexual function. In the near future, with the fusion of MRI and ultrasound technologies, focal treatment of the "significant" prostate lesion will be available,” explains Dr. Kar.

“The FDA regulatory authorization to market Sonablate in the U.S. is a milestone for non-invasive prostate care and a tremendous gain for men's health," said Mark Carol, MD, CEO of SonaCare Medical. “Dr. Kar is a long-standing supporter of HIFU for the ablation of prostate tissue. We are thrilled that he now has this capability within his own facility and look forward to supporting him as he works to make this technology accessible to other practicing urologists.”

About miVIP
miVIP is a privately-owned company, founded in 2006 and headquartered in Los Angeles, CA. Both a leader in minimally invasive surgery and a pioneer in robotic procedures performed in an outpatient setting, miVIP operates 12 facilities in four states around the U.S. For more information about miVIP Surgery Centers, visit www.miVIPsurgery.com

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