DIAMOND BAR, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Biosense Webster, Inc.,
a worldwide leader in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias,
announced the launch of the new THERMOCOOL® SF NAV irrigated ablation catheter
with Curve Visualization in the United
States.
NEW Curve Visualization Technology
The THERMOCOOL® SF NAV Irrigated Ablation Catheter with Curve Visualization
combines Biosense Webster’s latest porous tip technology with the accurate visualization
of the CARTO®3 3D Mapping & Ablation System. This enhanced technology is
designed to reduce fluoroscopy exposure to physicians, lab staff and patients
alike, enhance visualization of the ablation catheters orientation and improve
procedural efficiency.
Dr. Daniel Melby, Cardiac Electrophysiologist from the
Minneapolis Heart Institute in Minneapolis, MN, was among the first to use the new technology in the United States.
“The THERMOCOOL® SF Catheter with Curve Visualization provides substantial advantages
over existing technologies. While using the Curve Visualization feature, the
catheter position is more completely represented on the CARTO display, thereby
allowing less fluoroscopy use and easier catheter positioning on difficult
atrial locations. In addition, the THERMOCOOL® SF Catheter platform provides
the ability to consistently ablate at all atrial locations without the
limitation of overheating and with 50% less volume delivery to the
patient.”
Porous Tip Technology
Since its introduction in January 2012, the THERMOCOOL® SF Catheter with
Surround Flow technology has achieved widespread adoption within hundreds of
hospitals throughout the United
States.
Unlike competitive irrigated technologies, the innovative
catheter design and breakthrough porous tip technology with Surround Flow
technology of the THERMOCOOL® SF Catheter allows for uniform cooling of the
entire catheter tip, and efficient heat dissipation when ablating. This cutting
edge innovation provides more effective cooling and allows half the volume load
to the patient, when compared to the traditional THERMOCOOL® Catheter.
The THERMOCOOL® SF NAV Catheter is approved in the United States
for treatment of drug refractory recurrent symptomatic paroxysmal atrial
fibrillation when used with CARTO® Systems and Type 1 Atrial Flutter for
patients 18 years and older.
Participation at Health Leadership Conference on Capitol
Hill in Washington, DC
Biosense Webster was invited to showcase the THERMOCOOL® SF Catheter with Curve
Visualization technology during the Innovation Expo of the HealthCare
Leadership Council on Capitol Hill in Washington,
DC on April 25-26, 2012. Members
of Congress were able to see the latest technology to treat Atrial
Fibrillation, the most common arrhythmia impacting more than 5MM people in United States.
About AF and cardiac ablation
Atrial Fibrillation is the most prevalent arrhythmia, and is a leading cause of
stroke among people 65 years and older. Worldwide, it is estimated that 20
million people have AF, yet only ~130,000 are treated with ablation every year.
The public health implications of AF are a growing concern because those with
AF are at an increased risk of morbidity and mortality as well as a reduced
quality of life. Today, most patients with AF are treated with anti-arrhythmic
drugs (AADs), even though about half of them are refractory to these drugs
Cardiac Ablation offers a safe and efficacious alternative
to treat cardiac arrhythmias. During cardiac ablation, energy is delivered
through the catheter to those areas of the heart muscle causing the abnormal
heart rhythm. This energy “disconnects” the pathway of the abnormal rhythm.
Cardiac ablation is commonly used for “simple” arrhythmias, like
Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome and atrioventricular nodal re-entry tachycardia
(AVNRT), and is increasingly being used for more complex arrhythmias like
ventricular tachycardia and atrial fibrillation. THERMOCOOL® Navigation
Catheters are approved for drug refractory recurrent symptomatic paroxysmal
atrial fibrillation, when used with CARTO® Systems (excluding the NAVISTAR® RMT
THERMOCOOL® Catheter).
Dr. Melby is compensated for his services as a member of the
company’s scientific advisory board and provides other consulting services.
About Biosense Webster, Inc.
Biosense Webster, Inc. pioneered EP diagnostic catheters more than 20 years ago
and continues to lead the industry as an innovative provider of advanced
cardiac diagnostic, therapeutic, and mapping tools. As the leader in EP navigation
systems and ablation therapy, Biosense Webster, Inc. has technology that
includes the largest installed base of cardiac mapping navigation systems
worldwide in leading hospitals and teaching institutions. For more information
about Biosense Webster and its products, please visit: www.biosensewebster.com (this site is intended for US
visitors only).