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MacDonald, Dettwiler to Partner with IMRIS on Next Generation Surgical Robot

IMRIS Inc. announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire NeuroArm Surgical Limited, a privately held company based in Calgary, Alberta, and its magnetic resonance-compatible neurosurgical robot. The companies expect to close the transaction no later than February 8, 2010, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. IMRIS has also entered into a memorandum of understanding with MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates Limited to create the next generation of the technology.

The robotic surgery system is designed to perform microsurgery and biopsy-stereotaxy applications on the brain with unprecedented precision. To management's knowledge, it is the only surgical robot in the world that a surgeon can use together with a magnetic resonance ( MR ) scanner in the operating room.

"This acquisition will deepen IMRIS's offering of image guided therapy solutions, by bringing surgical robotics together with MR imaging," said David Graves, IMRIS Chief Executive Officer. "This technology offers the potential to increase neurosurgical precision and contribute to less invasive procedures."

IMRIS will issue 1.6 million common shares as consideration for the acquisition of NASL, including the technology, patents and associated intellectual property. IMRIS and MDA will work together to commercialize the technology. MDA, a world leader in robotics and developer of the Canadarm, played a key role in creating the current NASL robotic surgery system.

"We have developed three generations of robotic systems for the International Space Station - expertise that was instrumental in the development of the first NeuroArm," said Steve Oldham, MDA's Vice President responsible for this business. "We are very pleased that IMRIS's vision for surgical robotics under MR guidance utilizes MDA's technology. We believe that by combining IMRIS's expertise in developing unique image guided therapy solutions with MDA's advanced robotics capabilities, we are bringing together all of the right elements to achieve this vision."

The system features two robotic arms that can manipulate MR-compatible tools at microscopic scale from a remote workstation. The surgeon sees detailed three-dimensional images of the brain and surgical tools, and uses hand controllers equipped with enhanced touch sensation that allows the surgeon to 'feel' very small anatomy through the robotic arms and surgical tools.

The first generation robot was developed at the University of Calgary and is currently being used to perform neurosurgical procedures within an IMRISneuro suite at Calgary's Foothills Hospital. At closing of the acquisition, IMRIS will enter into a collaboration agreement with the University of Calgary to leverage its clinical setting and data through development of the next generation of the technology.

Source: IMRIS

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