Dfine has unveiled Star tumor ablation system, in the US, for the palliative treatment of painful metastatic spinal tumors.
By using a minimally invasive approach and a percutaneous targeted Radiofrequency Ablation (t-RFA) therapy, the small steerable Star system enters the vertebra to precisely target the metastatic spinal tumor.
Real-time information about the ablative process throughout the procedure will be provided to physicians through the temperature monitors located within the SpineSTAR ablation system.
The company said patients and physicians also have the ability to use the Star tumor ablation system to reduce the size of metastatic spinal tumors in a single minimally invasive RF ablation procedure, thus providing rapid pain relief.
Eisenhower Medical Center interventional radiologist Jerry Chang said the patients who were in severe pain have experienced significant pain relief and have been able to return to a better quality of life almost immediately following the procedure.
"Not only is it possible to achieve rapid pain relief with t-RFA, but it is also compatible with systemic therapies to treat the primary cancer, including both chemo and radiation therapies," Chang added.
Dfine chief executive officer Kevin Mosher said, "We are encouraged by the support the STAR System has received from the interventional radiology and oncology communities, as they realize the meaningful benefits t-RFA offers patients who previously had very limited treatment options."