Oakwood Surgeons Perform World's First 3D Surgery Without Special Glasses

Test of prototype 3D display exceeds performance expectations.

LIVONIA, Mich., April 20 /PRNewswire/ -- On Friday, March 20, 2009, in Taylor,
Michigan, three Oakwood Heritage Hospital surgeons and their medical support
team assembled to perform a series of surgical procedures on a cadaver to test
the new LifeVision(TM) family of 3D technologies developed by Absolute
Imaging, LLC, of Livonia, MI.This event marks the first time in history that a
surgeon looked at a display and visualized human anatomy in its true-to-life
3D form without having to wear 3D glasses.

"Most of today's laparoscopic and endoscopic surgeries are viewed on a flat,
two-dimensional (2D), High Definition display," said Richard Kughn, long-time
Detroit businessman and co-founder of Absolute Imaging. "Using this prototype
3D display, physicians are able to see human anatomy in its true-to-life form
with the added dimension of depth. That they can do so without glasses is a
major technological breakthrough. Now surgeons can perform endoscopic
procedures with greater comfort and confidence, and have the added benefit of
seeing other activity in the operating room with their natural vision."

After several minutes of operating with the unique advantage of 3D
visualization, Kurt Martinuzzi, MD, Associate Director of Obstetrics and
Gynecology, said of the prototype, "I expect that this exciting new system
could be easily incorporated into our operating rooms."

Until the late 1970s, nearly all surgical procedures required an opening in
the patient large enough for the surgeon to see inside the body and insert
instruments used during the operation. Since then, the miniaturization of
video technology has made it possible for surgeons to easily look beneath the
skin with cameras connected to tubes called laparoscopes or endoscopes.
Minimally Invasive Surgery, or MIS, involves the use of an endoscope in
conjunction with other surgical devices inserted through relatively small
incisions made on the patient. The major benefits of MIS are: superior
cosmetic result; less post-operative pain; shorter recovery times; and the
reduced risk of infection.

Jim Fischbach, developer of LifeVision technology and co-founder of Absolute
Imaging commented, "The added realism provided by a glasses-free 3D image
makes it easier for a surgeon to consider the option of doing surgery using
MIS. Approximately two-thirds of all surgeries performed today still use a
more traditional open approach. Now it appears the balance between
traditional surgery and MIS is about to change."

Two other notable Oakwood Hospital surgeons involved in the trial also see a
bright future for this technology in endoscopy. Larry Morawa, MD, Chair of
Orthopaedics at Wayne State University and an Oakwood surgeon commented, "This
display is excellent. My expectation would be that this technology will
accelerate the development of small-diameter 3D endoscopes that can be used in
orthopaedic surgery." General surgeon, Kassem Charara, MD, said of the
display, "It is easy to use, easy to adapt to, and gives a good perception of
depth." When asked if his confidence level was the same or a little better
with 3D, Dr. Charara replied, "Definitely, the image is much better than the
regular screen (referring to the 2D HD displays)."

Kelly Smith, Chief Operating Officer at Oakwood Heritage Hospital and one of
the key orchestrators of this historic event is optimistic about the future of
this technology. According to Smith, "More than ever, hospitals need to be
sensitive to technologies that lower costs, shorten recovery times, and
generally improve patient outcomes. If stereoscopic viewing of MIS results in
fewer open surgeries, this technology has the potential to accomplish all
three goals."

Absolute Imaging, in conjunction with its research partners, will be
conducting a number of tests intended to quantify improvements resulting from
performing MIS with its stereoscopic 3D display. Their enthusiasm for
LifeVision(TM) is fueled by comments from veteran surgeon, Kurt Martinuzzi,
MD, who said, "with this device ... I expect that teaching medical students
and interns how to perform endoscopic procedures will be much easier; the
learning curve should definitely be shorter."

The first public showing of LifeVision(TM) will take place at the annual
meeting of The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons
(SAGES) in Phoenix, AZ on April 22nd thru the 24th.

Oakwood Heritage Hospital:

Oakwood Heritage Hospital is a 2007 recipient of the Governor's Award of
Excellence. This facility opened its doors in 1977. For Taylor and the
surrounding communities, extensive healthcare mixed with outstanding customer
service has been the standard for over 30 years. This 209-bed hospital
provides specialty services to all Oakwood Heritage patients including 24-hour
emergency care, speech/language pathology and audiology, pain management
clinic, orthopaedic surgery, mental health facility, physical medicine and
inpatient rehabilitation and full service radiology including advanced CT and
MRI.

The Oakwood Heritage team consists of professional healthcare specialists who
provide a blend of quality care, professionalism and great customer service.
In 2007, OHH received its second consecutive Gold Seal of Approval from The
Joint Commission for its hip and knee replacement program which includes the
latest in minimally invasive technology, and a 14 bed sub-acute specialized
unit for hip and knee replacement patients. To learn more about OHH please
visit www.oakwood.org.

To learn more about Absolute Imaging, LLC please visit www.a3di.com or contact
Tom Huntley, VP of Sales, at 248-579-0600 / thuntley@a3di.com. Absolute
Imaging, LLC, is located in Livonia, Michigan.

SOURCE Absolute Imaging, LLC

Ray Thomas for Absolute Imaging, LLC, +1-617-833-1316,
rthomas@zananetwork.com