Minimally-Invasive Procedure Brings Pain
Relief to Patients Suffering from Bone Tumors
BRAMPTON, ON, April 27, 2017 /CNW/ - Medtronic Canada, a
subsidiary of Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT), today announced Health
Canada licencing and the launch of the OsteoCool™ RF Ablation
System in Canada. For physicians
who treat patients with painful bone metastases, the OsteoCool
System is currently the only cooled radiofrequency (RF) ablation
technology that offers simultaneous, dual-probe capabilities —
providing procedural flexibility and predictable, customized
treatment. Cooled RF ablation uses high-frequency energy to target
cancer cells.
In 2016, an estimated 202,400 Canadians developed
cancer.1 Metastatic bone disease occurs in 60-80 percent
of cancer patients, most frequently among patients with primary
malignancies of the breast, prostate, liver, and lung.2
Seventy percent of metastatic bone cancer patients develop at least
one lesion in the spine.3
The OsteoCool RF Ablation System offers a valid option for
patients with painful bone tumors when conventional therapies are
considered ineffective, too slow-acting or cause unacceptable side
effects.4
"Osteocool Radiofrequency Ablation provides a minimally invasive
option for the treatment of painful bone metastases and is
particularly useful in patients that have not responded well to
other treatment modalities," said Dr. Roy
Park in EFW Radiology in Calgary.
"Our Pain Therapies business is deeply rooted in the Medtronic
Mission — which calls us to alleviate pain," said Sandrine Moirez,
senior director, Restorative Therapy Group, at Medtronic Canada.
"We put an important treatment option into the hands of physicians
so they can help more patients suffering from debilitating cancer
pain."
Medtronic acquired the OsteoCool technology and associated
intellectual property from Baylis Medical on December 16, 2015, and partnered with the company
to further innovate the system. Baylis continues to manufacture
OsteoCool in Mississauga,
Ontario.
The system is temperature controlled and uses internally
water-cooled probes to prevent overheating of surrounding tissue
during the procedure. The 17-gauge, bipolar probes are available in
three lengths and may be used through a variety of cannula sizes.
Because two OsteoCool RF ablation probes can be used
simultaneously, the system supports a variety of ablation
scenarios, accommodating unique patient and procedural needs.
About Medtronic
Medtronic Canada (www.medtronic.ca), headquartered in
Brampton, Ontario is a subsidiary
of Medtronic plc, which is one of the world's largest medical
technology, services and solutions companies — alleviating pain,
restoring health and extending life for millions of people around
the world. Medtronic employs more than 88,000 people worldwide,
serving physicians, hospitals and patients in approximately 160
countries. The company is focused on collaborating with
stakeholders around the world to take healthcare Further,
Together.
Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's periodic
reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual
results may differ materially from anticipated results.
_______________________
1 Canadian
Cancer Statistics 2016
2 Schuleman et al. Economic Burden of Metastatic Bone
Disease. American Cancer Society 2007
3 Chow E, Finkelstein JA, Sahgal A, Coleman RE.
Metastatic cancer to the bone. In:DeVita VT, Lawrence TS, Rosenberg
SA, eds. DeVita, Hellman, and Rosenberg's Cancer: Principles &
Practice of Oncology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams&
Wilkins; 2011: 2192-2204.
4 Gangi et al. Image-Guided Ablation Therapy of
Bone Tumors. Elsevier Inc., 2009.
SOURCE Medtronic Canada