Mar 6 2010
DUSA Pharmaceuticals, Inc.® (NASDAQ GM: DUSA), a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on dermatology, will unveil an ergonomically enhanced BLU-U® Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy Illuminator at this year's American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) meeting in Miami, Florida, March 5-9. BLU-U, in conjunction with the Levulan® Kerastick® topical treatment, is an integral part of the Levulan® Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) technology platform.
BLU-U® Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy Illuminator
Maintaining efficacy and improving ease of use among providers were paramount to the inception of the enhancements to the BLU-U, which include:
- Height adjustment using a new rotary design that allows for easier operation
- Larger casters and a post handle for easier mobility
- A pivoting post for compact, small footprint storage and easy movement within the treatment facility
"The mechanical improvements to the BLU-U were specifically designed with practitioners in mind, while still providing them with a highly uniform, efficient, and economic blue light source to treat patients," stated BLU-U co-inventor, Scott Lundahl, DUSA's Vice-President, Regulatory Affairs and Intellectual Property.
The patented BLU-U design utilizes microprocessor feedback control to automatically deliver a consistent, uniform blue light dose to a large treatment area such as the entire face or scalp. In combination with Levulan Kerastick, it is indicated for the treatment of Grade 1 and 2 actinic keratoses (AKs) of the face or scalp. Alone, the BLU-U is specifically cleared for the treatment of moderate inflammatory acne.
About Levulan® PDT and the BLU-U®
Levulan® Kerastick® for Topical Solution plus blue light illumination using the BLU-U blue light photodynamic therapy illuminator is indicated for the treatment of Grade 1 and 2 actinic keratoses (AKs) of the face or scalp. AKs are the most frequently diagnosed skin disease by U.S. dermatologists with over 5M treatment visits per year. DUSA is also in clinical development of its Levulan PDT technology platform for the broad-area treatment of AKs and the prevention of new non-melanoma skin cancer in chronically immunosuppressed solid organ transplant recipients.
DUSA's patented BLU-U® Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy Illuminator offers effective, non-invasive and pain-free light treatment for moderate inflammatory acne. Narrow band blue light causes a photodynamic effect within the pilosebaceous gland that kills P. acnes, the bacteria primarily responsible for acne. BLU-U treatments can be a primary treatment, an alternative to pharmaceuticals and topicals, or an addition to skin care programs. In September 2003, DUSA received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market the BLU-U without Levulan® PDT for the treatment of moderate inflammatory acne vulgaris and general dermatologic conditions.
About Actinic Keratoses
Actinic keratoses are rough-textured, dry, scaly patches on the skin caused by excessive exposure to ultraviolet light, such as sunlight. They occur most frequently on sun exposed areas such as the face, scalp, ears, neck, hands and arms. They form on the outermost layer of skin and they can range in color from skin toned to reddish brown. They can also range in size from as small as a pinhead to larger than a quarter.
About Acne
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne is the most common skin disorder in the U.S., affecting 40 to 50 million Americans. There are many types of acne, the most common of which is called acne vulgaris. Just beneath the surface of the skin lie hundreds of tiny glands called sebaceous glands. Their function is to collect and excrete the oily substance called sebum, to keep the skin healthy. However, the tiny pathway for the sebum to escape often becomes clogged and a bacterium called P. acnes grows inside. In a short time, the area swells up and forms a lesion on the skin. At certain times of life, this process becomes very active, troublesome and hard to control.