Radiofrequency Ablation System Treats Uterine Fibroids

A new electrosurgical system used for radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of soft tissue employs ultrasound guidance to insert and position a slender probe in the target tumor.

The Halt 2000GI Electrosurgical System is primarily designed to treat soft tissues by delivering a specified amount of RFA energy to the tumor; the heat generated in the process destroys the tumor, allowing it to be absorbed by the body. The system is designed for procedures that target tumors of the liver, breast, prostate, bone, and kidneys, but is intended in particular for the treatment of uterine fibroids. The Halt 2000GI is a product of Halt Medical (Brentwood, CA, USA), and has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

"The Halt System offers broad advantages over surgery to doctors, their patients, and the healthcare system,” said Gordon Epstein, M.D., chief technology officer of Halt Medical. "With traditional surgical interventions, layers of healthy tissue are cut through to gain access to the tumor. This leads to complications, significant pain, and long recovery times. With RFA, patients typically go home the same day and are back to work much sooner.”

A uterine fibroid is a benign tumor that originates from the smooth muscle layer (myometrium) and the accompanying connective tissue of the uterus. Fibroids are the most common benign tumors in females and typically found during the middle and later reproductive years. While most fibroids are asymptomatic, they can grow and cause heavy and painful menstruation, painful sexual intercourse, and urinary frequency and urgency. Some fibroids may interfere with pregnancy, although this appears to be very rare.

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