Medtronic launches Barrx 360 radiofrequncy ablation cath in US

Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) said today it launched its Barrx 360 Express radiofrequency ablation balloon catheter designed to treat Barrett’s esophagus.

The Barrx 360 Express is a self-adjusting circumferential RFA catheter designed for RFA treatments to remove diseased tissue in the esophagus while minimizing injury to health esophageal tissue. The Fridley, Minn.-based company said the treatment has been shown to reduce the risk of Barrett’s esophagus with low grade dysplasia.

“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 time2,5 and the number of catheters required during RFA procedures, allowing me to concentrate on increasing the quality of the procedure,” Dr. Anthony Infantolino of Philadelphia’s Thomas Jefferson University Hospital said in a prepared statement.

Medtronic said that Esophageal cancer is the fastest-growing cancer in the U.S., having increased 600% since the 1970s, which puts it above breast, prostate cancer and melanoma.

“In reducing the progression of dysplastic Barrett’s esophagus to esophageal cancer, the launch of the Barrx 360 Express RFA balloon catheter underscores our commitment to patients. 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,” minimally invasive therapies group early technologies biz prez Vafa Jamali said in prepared remarks.

The newly released catheter is designed to lower procedural time by up to 20% through removing procedural steps and enhacing ease-of-use features, Medtronic said.

While the catheter is being launched in the U.S. currently, Medtronic said it has plans to make the device available in the European Union, Australia and New Zealand this year.

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