Medtronic launches new endoscopic ablation catheter

Medtronic has launched Barrx 360 Express, a radiofrequency ablation (RFA) balloon catheter to help in the treatment of Barrett's esophagus

The device has a self-adjusting circumferential RFA catheter that helps gastroenterologists and surgeons provide RFA treatment more easily and efficiently, according to Medtronic.

RFA therapy removes diseased tissue while reducing injury to healthy esophageal tissue.

Medtronic said that this treatment has been shown to reduce the risk of Barrett's esophagus with low grade dysplasia by approximately 90%.

The new Barrx 360 Express design helps physicians lower procedural time by up to 20% through reducing procedural steps and the ability to custom fit the device to various esophagus diameter sizes, according to Medtronic.

Anthony Infantolino, MD of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, said: "The biggest advantage of the Barrx 360 Express catheter is that it's easier to use because of the larger, longer and adjustable balloon size.

"These new features provide for a reduction in surgery time and the number of catheters required during RFA procedures, allowing me to concentrate on increasing the quality of the procedure."

Vafa Jamali, president, early technologies business in the Medtronic minimally invasive therapies group, said: "We believe patients and physicians will benefit from the easier-to-use technology of the Barrx 360 Express catheter, which provides a more precise delivery of RF energy to the targeted area."

The company is currently launching the Barrx 360 Express RFA balloon catheter in the United States. The catheter is also expected to be available in the EU, Australia and New Zealand in 2016.