Healthcare Industry News: nContact Surgical
News Release - December 1, 2009
nContact Announces Initiation of Clinical Trials for the Treatment of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Utilizing New Convergent Ablation Procedure
MORRISVILLE, N.C., Dec. 1 -- (Healthcare Sales & Marketing Network) -- nContact Surgical, Inc. ("nContact"), a leader in the investigation of devices for minimally-invasive treatment for heart conditions, today announced the initiation of a feasibility clinical trial designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a combined surgical and catheter procedure, the convergent procedure, for the treatment of symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). This prospective, feasibility study will enroll patients at study sites across the United States."We designed this study to include paroxysmal patients with enlarged hearts, who historically have been more difficult to treat with catheter ablation in a single procedure," said John P. Funkhouser, President and CEO of nContact. "The uniqueness of the convergent procedure is that lesions can be created on all areas of the heart through a closed chest endoscopic approach, without lung deflation, and while the heart is beating. It is hoped that the combination of surgical and electrophysiology techniques will enhance physicians' capability to ultimately treat all AF patients in a single procedure."
The study utilizes the nContact Numeris(R) - AF Guided Coagulation System with VisiTrax(R) along with a commercially available ablation catheter, the Biosense Webster NaviStar(R) ThermoCool(R) Catheter. The combination of devices creates a standard, bi-atrial lesion pattern to block electrical signals that cause AF. In addition, electrophysiologists have the capability to diagnostically ensure the lesion pattern is complete with pulmonary vein isolation. "We look forward to investigating this collaborative, interdisciplinary approach for the treatment of atrial fibrillation in patients with larger atria," said Dr. Rodney Horton, Principal Investigator at St. David's Medical Center in Austin, Texas.
About nContact Surgical, Inc.
nContact is a medical device company founded in 2005 with the company mission to develop devices for the endoscopic treatment of arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation (AF). The Numeris(R) Coagulation System with VisiTrax(R) is based on the unique integration of suction, perfusion, and RF energy to ensure the creation of visible, non-conductive, bi-atrial epicardial lesions on a beating heart.
To date, The Numeris Coagulation System with VisiTrax is indicated for the coagulation of cardiac tissue in the United States. nContact has initiated clinical studies for the treatment of AF in both open and closed chest procedures. The Numeris Coagulation System with VisiTrax has CE Mark approval in Europe for the specific indication for the coagulation of cardiac tissue for the treatment of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter.
Source: nContact Surgical
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