California-based medical technology company Zeltiq (NSDQ:ZLTQ) launched CoolCurve+, a new applicator platform for its CoolSculpting system to help physicians to "treat more body shapes."
Unlike devices that use laser or sonic waves or every surgery to remove fat, the CoolSculpting system "uses a targeted cooling process that kills the fat cells underneath the skin, freezing them to the point of elimination," according to the company’s website.
"We are pleased to expand our applicator platform and introduce this versatile addition to doctors to help them better customize procedure plans and optimize outcomes for their patients," president & CEO Mark Foley said in prepared remarks.
CoolCurve+ is designed with curved cooling plates to enhance fit and tissue draw on the body, according to the company.
In recent studies 36% of 15 patients who previously did not have adequate tissue draw due to their body shape were treated successfully with the CoolCurve+, according to a press release. In addition, 73 % experienced better fit and 80% experienced better tissue draw.
A separate study showed that 92% of the 25 patients enrolled were satisfied with the product and all of them would recommend CoolSculpting with the CoolCurve+ applicator, Zeltiq said.
CoolSculpting, which has FDA approval for the U.S. market, has been used in more than 400,000 CoolSculpting treatments worldwide, according to the company.
The launch is good news for Zeltiq, given that nearly 10 million cosmetic surgical and nonsurgical procedures were performed in the U.S. in 2009, according to statistics by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
The U.S. aesthetics market has seen strong growth in recent quarters, although healthy sales didn’t necessarily translate into healthy bottom lines for all comers. Zeltiq in particular reported losses of $8.1 million on $2.3 million in sales during the 2nd quarter.
ZLTQ shares were up 0.6% by the end of the day, closing at $6.40.
