PolyTouch Medical Ltd. Announces the Appointment of Morris E. Franklin Jr., M.D., F.A.C.S. as Medical Advisor

ISRAEL, April 12, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- PolyTouch Medical Ltd., a leading developer of hernia mesh placement technologies, today announced that it has appointed Morris E. Franklin Jr., M.D., F.A.C.S. as Medical Advisor.

Dr. Morris Franklin, the Founder and Director of the Texas Endosurgery Institute, is one of the pioneers in the field of laparoscopic surgery. Dr. Franklin earned his medical degree at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, TX. He completed his general surgery residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, where he was appointed Clinical Professor of Surgery. Over the past ten years, Dr. Franklin has trained surgeons world-wide in laparoscopic surgical techniques. Dr. Franklin is a recognized authority in laparoscopic procedures including biliary surgery, common bile duct exploration, antireflux procedures for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and Barrett's esophagus, abdominal wall surgery, laparoscopic treatment of bowel obstruction and micro-laparoscopy.

Dr. Franklin is an invited faculty at several international academic institutions including the European Institute of Tele Surgery (EITS-IRCAD) in Strasbourg, France, where he frequently teaches courses on laparoscopic colon surgery. Dr. Franklin is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the American Hernia Society (AHS), Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons (SLS) and Western Surgical Association (WSA).

"Dr. Franklin's deep experience in laparoscopic hernia repair, as well as in the development of minimally invasive surgery, will be of tremendous support to PolyTouch. I am delighted and honored to have Dr. Morris Franklin join our U.S. Medical Advisory Board," remarked Ofek Levin, Founder and CEO of PolyTouch Medical.

Dr. Franklin commented, "I am excited to join the PolyTouch Medical Advisory Board and to support shaping the PatchAssist device and PolyTouch's pipeline products. PolyTouch's PatchAssist device is useful and has the potential to become very popular in laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR). I look forward to working with an impressive team that is focused on the development and commercialization of products that address important and clear clinical needs."

About PolyTouch Medical Ltd.

PolyTouch Medical was founded in March 2009 and is located in Misgav Venture Accelerator, Israel. Realizing the need for an improved method for mesh deployment and placement, PolyTouch has developed PatchAssist, a novel mesh deployment and placement device initially targeting laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR). PatchAssist enables accurate abdominal cavity mesh placement, potentially reducing procedure time by 30% - 50%. PolyTouch plans to introduce the PatchAssist device into the U.S. market in the first half of 2011.

    Ofek Levin, Founder & CEO
    PolyTouch Medical Ltd,
    E-mail: [email protected]
    Phone: +972-72-260-7066

SOURCE PolyTouch Medical Ltd.