Ablation System for Inoperable Hepatic Tumors

A new radiofrequency (RF) ablation system offers a minimally invasive alternative for patients with non-resectable hepatic tumors who are not ideal surgical candidates.

The Cool-tip system, manufactured by Valleylab (Boulder, CO, USA), a division of Tyco Healthcare Group (Mansfield, MA, USA), combines a microprocessor-based RF generator with a 17-gauge internally cooled needle electrode to deliver 200 watts of RF energy directly to the tumor. Imaging technology such as computed tomography (CT) or ultrasound is used to guide the needle to the ablation site. Water is circulated internally through the electrode during ablation to cool adjacent tissue, thereby maximizing delivery of RF energy and creating the largest ablation possible in a minimal amount of time.

The system includes an RF switching controller that enables physicians to use up to three electrodes simultaneously, allowing them to ablate larger volumes of tissue or create multiple separate lesions in one ablation cycle. In order to deliver the maximum amount of energy to ablate the tissue rapidly, full power is delivered to each Cool-tip needle independently. The switching controller uses a closed loop impedance feedback system to sense when the desired impedance level is achieved, and once this occurs, the unit automatically directs RF energy to the next electrode.

"We are proud to be the first radiofrequency ablation company to receive FDA [U.S. Food and Drug Administration] clearance for the ablation of non-resectable liver tumors,” said Kevin Seifert, president of Valleylab. "It is very important for us as a company to be able to provide physicians with a comprehensive offering of safe and effective Valleylab products for their patients with inoperable liver tumors.”

The system is intended for use in percutaneous, laparoscopic, and intraoperative coagulation and ablation of tissue, such as partial or complete ablation of nonresectable liver lesions and osteoid osteoma tumors within bone that may otherwise be unable to be successfully treated with surgery or chemotherapy.



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