PENTAX Medical Company, a healthcare industry leader in diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy, announces the introduction of the C2 CryoBalloon Ablation System for the treatment of Barrett’s esophagus, a condition in which the lining of the esophagus develops abnormal lesions primarily as a result of chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). An estimated 3.3 million people in the U.S. are living with Barrett’s esophagus, which makes an individual 30 to 40 times more likely to develop esophageal cancer — a disease with, unfortunately, a 19.2 percent five-year survival rate.
The company announced that, beginning June 1, the developer of the C2 CryoBalloon, C2 Therapeutics, which it acquired last year, will operate under the PENTAX Medical name.
The C2 CryoBalloon Ablation System is used to destroy unwanted tissue by application of extreme cold. A balloon probe, which is connected to a catheter, comes in contact with the wall of the target tissue. Upon activation by a physician, the balloon probe is simultaneously cooled and inflated with nitrous oxide. The extreme cold eradicates the targeted precancerous or abnormal lesions along the esophageal lining while sparing healthy tissue. The system allows physicians complete control of the procedure under direct visualization of the treatment area during the procedure, which lasts between 15 to 30 minutes
(Image credit: PENTAX Medical)
The new C2 CryoBalloon Ablation System offers several key advantages including the ability to ablate a wide range of patients, enhanced visualization and control, and a new level of efficiency.
“With the C2 Cryoballoon, you can promote your practice as a more comprehensive Barrett’s center with the latest and best treatment options,” says Harshit S. Khara, MD, FACG, FASGE, Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, Geisinger Medical Center.
According to clinical studies, 95 percent of patients treated with the C2 CryoBalloon achieve complete eradication of dysplasia (CED) and 90 percent have complete eradication of intestinal metaplasia (CEIM) through two years. Additionally, one week following treatment, no patients required narcotic pain medication.
“We are committed to advancing the treatment of Barrett’s esophagus with a new generation of ablation devices that are easy to use and improve clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction,” says David Woods, global chief marketing officer, PENTAX Medical. “The C2 CryoBalloon strengthens our therapeutic endoscopy portfolio and is an important technology that enables endoscopists to improve the quality of care they provide to their patients.”
