FDA approves Elbit software for use with uterine fibroid treatment

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Mar 8 2007

Israel-based Elbit Medical Imaging on Monday said that FDA has approved software that aims to reduce treatment time for the uterine fibroid device ExAblate 2000, the AP/Forbes reports (AP/Forbes, 3/5).

Uterine fibroids, which are noncancerous uterine tumors, can cause pain, miscarriage, and lead to prolonged and heavy menstrual periods.

The ExAblate 2000 system uses magnetic resonance imaging to locate the tumors and heat from ultrasound waves to kill the fibroid tissue, which is then flushed from the body naturally.

The treatment is not recommended for use by women who wish to become pregnant (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 10/25/04).

According to AP/Forbes, the new software will allow ExAblate 2000 to burn away different parts of a tumor by giving burned tissue a chance to cool while the machine moves to another part of the tumor.

Reducing treatment time might allow less-costly outpatient treatment of uterine fibroids for women with larger fibroids, the AP/Forbes reports (AP/Forbes, 3/5).

This article was reprinted from khn.org with permission from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent news service, is a program of the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonpartisan health care policy research organization unaffiliated with Kaiser Permanente.