TSO3 Files for an Extended Claim for Duodenoscopes

QUEBEC CITY and MYRTLE BEACH, SC, July 20 2017 /PRNewswire/ - TSO₃ Inc. (TSX: TOS), an innovator in sterilization technology for medical devices in healthcare settings, today announced that the Company has filed a 510(k) submission with US regulators for its STERIZONE^® VP4 Sterilizer for the terminal sterilization of duodenoscopes used in endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) procedures.  If awarded such claim, TSO₃'s STERIZONE^® VP4 Sterilizer would become the first and only validated sterilizer technology in the US with a cleared label claim for the terminal sterilization of duodenoscopes.  

TSO₃'s filing is supported by laboratory data that validates that the STERIZONE^® VP4 Sterilizer, with its dual sterilants of hydrogen peroxide and ozone, can terminally sterilize multi-channel flexible endoscopes with a distal end elevator mechanism (duodenovideoscopes).  If achieved, the claim will match existing claims already made by the Company in Canada and Europe.  

"This submission is another step towards improving upon the existing standard of care in healthcare sterile reprocessing. Duodenoscopes have historically been defined as "semi-critical" devices, and are not required to have a validated terminal sterilization claim at this time. Our approach has been to demonstrate that these devices can in fact be terminally sterilized and offer healthcare facilities the ability to use our more robust process to process devices known or suspected to be contaminated with multidrug resistant organisms (MDRO)", stated R.M. (Ric) Rumble, TSO₃'s President and CEO.  "New US regulatory requirements recently published require manufacturers to provide validated sterilization methods with future submissions for new semi-critical devices such as duodenoscopes, bronchoscopes, gastroscopes, colonoscopes and other endoscopes.  TSO₃'s unique existing endoscope sterilization claims, along with a potential expanded duodenoscope claim, position the STERIZONE^® VP4 Sterilizer to be an integral part of a healthcare institution's infection control strategy."

About the STERIZONE^® VP4 Sterilizer

The STERIZONE^® VP4 Sterilizer is a low-temperature sterilization system that utilizes the dual-sterilants of vaporized hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and ozone (O₃) to achieve terminal sterilization of heat and moisture sensitive medical devices. Its single pre-programmed cycle can sterilize a large number and wide range of compatible devices, creating a cost-effective sterilization process with error free cycle selection. The device's unique Dynamic Sterilant Delivery Systemtm automatically adjusts the quantity of injected sterilant based on the load composition, weight and temperature. This capability removes the guesswork and potential for human error, as there is no need to sort instruments and choose the appropriate cycles as with other machines.

The STERIZONE^® VP4 Sterilizer is the only terminal sterilization method that is FDA cleared to sterilize multi-channeled flexible endoscopes (with a maximum of four channels) of up to 3.5 meters in length, such as video colonoscopes and gastroscopes - an industry first for any medical device sterilization process.

The STERIZONE^® VP4 Sterilizer is also the only cleared low temperature sterilizer that can process a mixed load consisting of general instruments, single channel flexible endoscopes, and single or double channel rigid endoscopes in the same cycle with load weights of up to 75 lb.  The ability to run mixed loads significantly reduces labor costs by minimizing the amount of instrument sorting required, while maximizing the device turns (more productivity from increased throughput capacity).  More information about the STERIZONE^® VP4 Sterilizer is available through TSO₃'s website, under the Products section at http://www.tso3.com/en/products/sterizone-vp4/.

About TSO₃

Founded in 1998, TSO₃'s activities encompass the sale, production, maintenance, research, development and licensing of sterilization processes, related consumable supplies and accessories for heat-sensitive medical devices. The Company designs products for sterile processing areas in the hospital environment that offer an advantageous replacement solution to other low temperature sterilization processes currently used in hospitals. TSO₃ also offers services related to the maintenance of sterilization equipment and compatibility testing of medical devices with such processes.

For more information about TSO₃, visit the Company's website at www.tso3.com.          

The statements in this release and oral statements made by representatives of TSO₃ relating to matters that are not historical facts (including, without limitation, those regarding the timing or outcome of TSO₃'s regulatory filings, revenue, business or operations) are forward-looking statements that involve certain risks, uncertainties and hypotheses, including, but not limited to, the ability of the Company to obtain the required regulatory clearances to market its products, general business and economic conditions, the condition of the financial markets, the ability of TSO₃ to obtain financing on favourable terms and other risks and uncertainties.  Although TSO₃ believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. The complete versions of the cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements as well as a description of the relevant assumptions and risk factors likely to affect TSO₃'s actual or projected results are included in the Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2016, which is available on the Company's website. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and TSO₃ does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise unless expressly required by applicable securities laws.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities, in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

SOURCE TSO3 Inc.