Trimedyne Gets OK to Sell Laser Device

Trimedyne Inc. said Monday that it had received regulatory clearance to market its Holmium laser and associated fiber-optic devices to treat enlarged prostates.

The Irvine maker of surgical lasers said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearance should fuel sales by allowing it to point out to physicians the Holmium laser’s effectiveness against enlarged prostates, a sometimes painful condition that affects about half of American men older than 55.

Trimedyne’s stock closed Monday at $2.19, up 25 cents in Nasdaq trading. The stock price has doubled since Jan. 1, but is well off its 52-week high of $7.38.