Gynecology

Business Definition

Boston Scientific’s Gynecology business is a leading developer of medical technologies used to diagnose and treat gynecological disease.

Background

Gynecological conditions range in severity and frequency among women. The full range of conditions is extensive, with problems such as menorrhagia, and amenorrhea touching the lives of women across the world. Menorrhagia is one of the more prevalent conditions. Women with menorrhagia experience heavy menstrual bleeding for at least several days, and in some cases, for up to 10 days. In many cases the traditional solution to this disorder has been hysterectomy. In fact, it is estimated that $5 billion is spent annually on hysterectomies.

Less-invasive treatments are often preferable to conventional surgery in treating gynecological disorders, as they can significantly reduce recovery time, are generally less expensive, and subject patients to fewer risks than conventional surgery. In less-invasive procedures, devices are usually inserted into the body through small incisions or natural openings and can be guided to most areas of the anatomy to diagnose and treat a wide range of medical problems.

Less-invasive treatment options for gynecological disorders include endometrial ablation for menorrhagia. Endometrial ablation is a procedure for women who suffer from menorrhagia due to benign causes. The procedure is intended to eliminate all or most of the tissue lining of the uterus (endometrium) that is responsible for menstrual bleeding.

Boston Scientific also offers a full line of products for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence and pelvic floor prolapse repair. These products include tension-free mid-urethral sling systems, bone anchor sling systems, and Coaptite® Injectable Agent to augment and support the urethra. Polyform®, Xenform® and Repliform® Matrix materials combine with the Capio® Open Access device for pelvic floor repair. This full product line provides gynecologists and urogynecologists with a wide array of products from which they can select the best treatment option for their individual patients’ needs.

Fast Facts

• To date, approximately 24,000 women suffering from menorrhagia due to benign causes in the U.S. have been treated with the HydroThermablator® System.
• More than 28,000 women per year are treated with Boston Scientific’s urinary incontinence products.
• Boston Scientific has sponsored Uterus1.com, an online resource for women searching for information on uterine health.

Looking to the Future
Boston Scientific is committed to advancing the practice of less-invasive medicine. Today, the Company is investigating a number of innovative technologies.

Boston Scientific
Boston Scientific (NYSE: BSX) is a worldwide developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical devices with approximately 25,000 employees and revenue of $8.3 billion in 2007. For more than 25 years, Boston Scientific has advanced the practice of less-invasive medicine by providing a broad and deep portfolio of innovative products, technologies and services across a wide range of medical specialties. The Company’s products help physicians and other medical professionals improve their patients’ quality of life by providing alternatives to surgery that minimize risk, cost, trauma, aftercare and procedure time. For more information, please visit www.bostonscientific.com. Boston Scientific’s Gynecology business is a leading developer of medical technologies used to diagnose and treat gynecological disease.

Coaptite is a trademark of Bioform Medical.