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LIPOSONIX System Approved by Health Canada

June 19, 2009 |

Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation today announced that Health Canada has issued a Medical Device License (MDL) authorizing the sale of the LIPOSONIX(TM) System Model 1 in Canada. The LIPOSONIX system is designed to utilize high intensity focused ultrasound energy to reduce subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue in the treatment zone to provide a non-invasive, non-surgical approach to body contouring. The Company plans for the LIPOSONIX system to be marketed in Canada by Medicis Aesthetics Canada.

“We are pleased to announce the MDL from Health Canada to market the LIPOSONIX system in Canada,” said Jonah Shacknai, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation. “We believe the LIPOSONIX body contouring technology will position Medicis Aesthetics Canada for continued leadership in the popular Canadian aesthetics market by providing an effective and non-invasive procedure for the reduction of subcutaneous abdominal fat. We believe many adults wanting to reduce their waistlines by several centimeters could be potential candidates for the LIPOSONIX treatment.”

The LIPOSONIX Technology

The LIPOSONIX system is designed to focus high intensity ultrasound to cause permanent disruption, or ablation, of subcutaneous adipose tissue in the anterior abdomen without damaging the epidermis, dermis or underlying tissues and organs. A custom-designed ultrasound transducer delivers energy across the skin surface at a relatively low intensity, and brings this energy to a high intensity focus at precise depths in the targeted subcutaneous adipose tissue, causing thermal coagulation of the adipose tissue within the focal zone of the ultrasound beam.

Large white blood cells, or macrophage cells, are attracted to the treated area, engulfing and transporting the damaged tissue and lipids through the lymphatic system to the liver, where the lipids are processed by the body’s normal biochemical pathways. The damaged tissue in the treated area is resorbed over a period of several weeks, which can yield an aesthetic body contouring effect.

During clinical development, the LIPOSONIX technology has demonstrated effective, non-invasive contouring of the abdomen which:

— results in little to no patient down time;
— involves one treatment of approximately one hour; and
— may reduce waistline circumference by up to several centimeters.

In clinical studies to date, a single LIPOSONIX treatment of approximately one hour duration resulted in an average 2.8 cm reduction in waistline circumference.(1) Results were typically seen in 8 to 12 weeks.(1) Individual results may vary.

The LIPOSONIX technology was developed over a period of nine years by leading engineers, ultrasound experts and physicians with more than 200 years of combined experience in ultrasound technology. Medicis holds and has pending numerous patents in the U.S. and worldwide related to the licensed LIPOSONIX system and technology. The LIPOSONIX system is in full compliance with both the European Union (EU) Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive and the EU Low Voltage Directive, CE marked accordingly and is currently marketed through distributors in member states of the EU.

The LIPOSONIX system is not cleared for sale in the United States.

Canadian Market

The LIPOSONIX treatment is not intended as a replacement for liposuction, but as an alternative body contouring procedure that may appeal to a much broader audience due to its non-invasive nature. According to the most recent statistics available, liposuction ranks as the number one surgical procedure requested by Canadian men and women.(2)

Medicis Aesthetics Canada anticipates launching the LIPOSONIX system in Canada in the second half of 2009, which is in line with the Company’s original expectations and most recent guidance.

LIPOSONIX System Model 1 Important Safety Information

The LIPOSONIX system is not for use in patients with a coagulation disorder or who are receiving anticoagulant therapy or who have an implanted electrical device.

The LIPOSONIX system is not for use on patients with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30, in areas with less than 1 cm of adipose tissue beyond the selected focal depth or areas previously treated with injection lipolysis, liposuction, abdominoplasty or other surgery (open or laparoscopic) or where hernia, implanted material, sensory loss or dysesthesia is present.

The LIPOSONIX system is not for use on patients with cancer or systemic disease, who are taking prescription drugs for a chronic condition or who are pregnant, suspected to be pregnant or lactating.

During treatment as recommended, patients may experience cold, prickling, tingling, warmth, discomfort or pain. The most common post-treatment side effects include temporary erythema, mild ecchymosis, discomfort and edema.

For more information, visit www.LipoSonix.com.

About the Author (Author Profile)

Comments (34)

  1. Peter D

    Good evening,

    would this procedure, if determined to be beneficial , be covered by OHIP? I have been confined because of a neuromuscular disorder and have not at all, because of intense pain, been able to work out or cardiovascular exercise.

    Please respond to tahoma@Rogers.com. My name is Peter. I’d really like to find an answer and this would be so beneficial. Thank you so much.

  2. Ann

    1. Peter – don’t be so silly.
    2. The reason that Health Canada and FDA were holding out on this technology was because there was an unknown with regards to how the body was going to process the inundation of fat – would it lead to liver or cardiovascular disease or failure? The article above does not refer to this concern, although it seems to have overcome this hurdle. Can you direct those of us considering this procedure to the studies that have established its safety? Thanks.

  3. michelle

    1) How much does it cost?

    2) I weight about 107lbs but would like to lose just a couple of inches off my waist, hips and thigh ( mainly my inner thighs) do exercise but it s some times hard when you have a 2yr old running around. My waist line is 28.5 inches, hips are about 34.5-35 inches and my thighs are about 19.5 inches and these are the places that I would like to lose the inches. —— Can you let me please let me know if I’ll be a good canadate, as I wanted to do a tummy tuck or lipo but it was too costly and I was scared if, I thought it might leave any scars and hurt (surgicaly).

  4. Anna

    how much does it cost and how long has it been in use?

  5. jason

    with doctor referal what would the cost be for 10 plus inches?

  6. i lost weight but i still have lots of fat on my stomech igo to the gym but is not working ilike to know how mush it cost to loes may be 6bound of fat from my stomch . I like to try the liposonix, thx for your help

  7. Nargis Nanji

    Need to loose fat around Stomach/Thighs. How mush does this cost! Where is your clinic located. Thanks

  8. Rose

    I’m also curious as to the cost. Also, is this treatment for the stomach area only, or will it work on the butt and legs?

  9. lily

    i am also curious as to the cost, and which drs do the procedure

  10. adele vaccaro

    I also would like to know if is covered by ohip and if not I would like to know the cost ?

  11. Do you have an office in alberta, perferably close to or in Edmonton?

  12. Don D

    am very interested in this treatment but curious as to the cost

  13. Val G

    Can this treatment be used on the upper arms to get rid of fat cells (dimples)?

  14. Maddy

    I would like to know the cost and if you have any offices in the Toronto area???Also i want to know if it the results are 100% cuz i tried the vela shape and did 6 treatments and it did not work at all. I spent alot of money on it. I want to know if this is guaranteed to reduce my waist size.

  15. Tanya

    Why aren’t you disclosing the cost for this treatment?

  16. This is an official Press Release from the company posted under News. If you want to find out more information, contact the manufacturer: “For more information, visit http://www.LipoSonix.com

    Here is some information from their website:

    The LipoSonix treatment as a non-invasive, nonsurgical alternative for effective abdominal fat reduction:
    – little or no downtime post treatment
    – average reduction is 1 dress or pant size (average 2.8 cm waist circumference reduction), individual results may vary
    – results typically seen in 8 to 12 weeks

    The LipoSonix treatment is NOT a
    – replacement for liposuction
    – way to reduce weight
    – way to tighten loose skin

  17. Pina

    I am seriously interested BUT need to know the cost!!!! Does it also help around the hips and butt???
    tks. for your help.

  18. Nadira Welch

    Well is all about my tummy, I was very skinny but sitting at home doing baby sitting getting fat .

  19. Nadira Welch

    I wise to get my tummy done after two kids .

  20. Sue

    Hi!
    Im really considering this procedure however like everyone else I am concerned about the cost? Also outta curiousity, is it only the tummy, butt and thighs that this can be done on? What about back fat?

    Looking forward to some answers!!

  21. sue

    LIke everyone I would like to know the cost for this procedure..you mention surgery,,I have had two c sections and hysterectomy, will this disqualify me..because of these surgeries I cannot lose the belly fat..I am very self consicous of this and has stopped me from relationships. pls advise,.thx.sue

  22. tony

    the cost i was informed today (by my doctor) was $2000 for the tummy area and $1000 additional to treat the love handles…

    NOT covered by OHIP!

    He reaffirmed that it was between 6-10 weeks recovery with bruising in the trated areas

  23. Frank Colizza

    I have excess fat under my arms and around my chess would Liposonix help
    me by removing or reducing my chess line.

    Liposonix is available in my living area.

    Frank Colizza

  24. maureen

    i have seen where everyone has ask what it cost and your address and there question is not been answer

  25. Jeff

    Please note, this is an aesthetic industry “news” site, it has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with any specific manufacturer or anyone providing these treatments, the site is a source for general aesthetic industry information only. The original article is a Press Release from the manufacturer regarding it’s recent Health Canada approval, “Aesthetic Medicine News” does not provide these treatments, it only provides industry “news,” therefore we have no way of knowing how much any treatments cost.

    If you want to find out how much it costs, then please visit the manufacturers website and see if they have a listing of providers in your area, in which you can contact to get a price. The website is: http://www.LipoSonix.com

  26. Anna

    $2000.00 is pretty expensive for a treatment that isn’t guaranteed.

  27. H. Schneider

    Would this treatment be available for a diabetic on insulin?

  28. I has everyone else needs to know cost and where are the locations to have this procedure done.

  29. arman

    thanks a lot because of your information.i will appriciate if you introduce your representative in iran if any.also i curious about cost and duration of medical treatment.

  30. tracy

    i would like to know the cost and is it in edmonton?

  31. tracy

    whats the cost?

  32. Lalo Thomas

    I had a laparascopy umbilical hernia can I still do liopsonix around my belly only?

  33. Sherry Blanchard

    Windsor Ontario has one. Check out this website:

    http://www.esteem.md/v10/

  34. Alan

    Markham Ontario has a clinic that provides LipoSonix treatments. Their website is http://www.beautymedicine.ca/body_contouring

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