UPMC EXPANDS NEUROSURGERY LEADERSHIP BY ACQUIRING ELEKTA NEUROMAG® MEG SYSTEM

UPMC EXPANDS NEUROSURGERY LEADERSHIP BY ACQUIRING ELEKTA NEUROMAG® MEG SYSTEMPRESS RELEASE Stockholm, August 13, 2004UPMC EXPANDS NEUROSURGERY LEADERSHIP BY ACQUIRING ELEKTA NEUROMAG® MEG SYSTEMThe University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) in Pittsburgh, PA, USA, one of the nation's premier providers of Gamma Knife® surgery, has acquired Elekta Neuromag® MEG system to its arsenal of sophisticated equipment to diagnose and treat brain disorders.UPMC will use the magnetoencephalography (MEG) equipment for registration and localization of neural activity both in brain research and in clinical practice. The real-time, millisecond mapping of neuronal activities throughout the brain provided by Elekta Neuromag® MEG holds the promise for better diagnosis and treatment of functional brain disorders such as epilepsy."With MEG we are, for the first time, able to precisely and in real-time locate and quantitatively correlate neuronal activity in different areas of the brain", said L. Dade Lunsford, MD, Chairman of the Department of Neurological Surgery and Director of the Center for Image-Guided Neurosurgery. "This precise, real-time monitoring of the brain will increase our understanding of how the brain functions and provide precise mapping of functional disorders. With improved understanding of the physiology of the brain, we will be in a better position to explore potential new treatment modalities," Dr Lunsford added."Having a long-term customer of UPMC's caliber is of great importance to Elekta, and we are proud they are investing in our latest technology," said Jim Rose, Elekta's Vice President of Marketing, North America. "This purchase is indicative of the solid progress made by Elekta Neuromag® MEG and it highlights the very interesting market potential in the clinical use of the MEG technology, particularly in the U.S., where reimbursement levels for this method are already well established."MEG technology is used for pre-surgical mapping of the brain. One exciting area of research is defining the epileptogenic zone from which the seizure emanates. The value of brain mapping using MEG technology has been clinically established and Medicare/Medicaid in the U.S. reimburses MEG studies.UPMC has a long history of leadership in the field of non-invasive brain surgery and research. The center was the first clinical Gamma Knife® center in the U.S. and recently became the first in the world to have three operating Gamma Knife® units.For further information, please contact:International: Peter Ejemyr, Group VP Corporate Communications, Elekta AB (publ),Phone: +46 733 611 000, e-mail: [email protected] United States: Lars Jonsteg, VP Investor Relations North America, Elekta, USAPhone: +46 708 78 37 35, e-mail: [email protected] is a world-leading supplier of advanced and innovative radiation oncology and neurosurgery solutions and services for precise treatment of cancer and brain disorders. Elekta's solutions are clinically effective, cost efficient and gentle to the patient.For additional information about Elekta, please visit www.elekta.com------------------------------------------------------------This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.netThe following files are available for download:http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2004/08/13/20040813BIT21030/wkr0001.pdf PDF Version