Covidien to launch new ablation system with advanced benefits

Covidien has announced that it will soon be launching a new advanced ablation system for the destruction of diseased soft tissue and non-resectable liver tumours.

The Emprint Ablation System with Thermosphere Technology has received US and EU regulatory approval and is scheduled to be launched in both territories during the current quarter.

Offering predictable results regardless of the target location or tissue type, the system can be used to precisely heat and destroy infected liver, lung and kidney cells.

Unlike other forms of ablation technology, Covidien's new offering can be performed without invasive surgery by inserting the system's antenna into the tumour directly through the skin, with doctors using ultrasound or CT scans to guide the antenna.

Chuck Brynelsen, president for early technologies at Covidien, said: "By providing predictable spherical ablation zones, this technology gives physicians more choices in terms of approach, further simplifying needle placement and saving planning and procedure time."

This comes after the firm introduced its new Trellis peripheral infusion system in the US, Europe and Canada earlier this month.