Cook Medical launches new Hercules 100 oesophageal dilation balloon

Cook Medical has announced the launch of its new Hercules 100 oesophageal dilation balloon, for use in oral or transnasal oesophagoscopy procedures.

The three-stage wire-guided balloon incorporates strong noncompliant PET Flex technology, a material that does not stretch in the same way as nylon balloons.

Thanks to its three-stage design, the balloon can inflate to three distinct diameters, meaning physicians do not need to use several balloons during a single procedure. It is therefore ideal for treating patients who suffer from dysphagia and other swallowing disorders.

It represents the latest Cook Medical offering based on the principle of providing a minimally invasive treatment option to benefit physicians and patients alike.

Thomas Cherry, global leader of Cook Medical's otolaryngology – head and neck surgery clinical division, said: "Swallowing disorders can have devastating consequences for patients and their caregivers. There is a clear need for more effective treatment options."

This follows the launch of the SialoCath salivary duct catheter, for the treatment of obstructive salivary gland disorders, earlier this year.