Covidien launches new HALO ablation catheter to treat Barrett's esophagus

Covidien (NYSE: COV), a leading global provider of healthcare products, today announced the launch of the HALO⁹⁰ ULTRA Ablation Catheter, the latest addition to the HALO family of catheters for the endoscopic treatment of Barrett's esophagus.    

Barrett's esophagus is a precancerous condition of the lining of the esophagus caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Left untreated, the backward flow of stomach contents such as acid and bile into the esophagus can lead to injury and chronic inflammation of the esophagus lining. A proportion of GERD patients are at risk of developing Barrett's esophagus, which can lead to esophageal adenocarcinoma, a lethal cancer with a five-year survival rate of approximately 15%.

The HALO⁹⁰ ULTRA Ablation Catheter is designed to be used independently or in conjunction with the commercially available HALO⁹⁰ and HALO⁶⁰ Ablation Catheters, both smaller focal devices, and the HALO³⁶⁰⁺ Ablation Catheter, a balloon-based endoscopic ablation system for treating larger, circumferential areas of Barrett's esophagus. The HALO⁹⁰ ULTRA Ablation Catheter has received the CE Mark and is currently available in the U.S. and Europe.

All HALO products are based on patented technology that carefully controls the amount of energy delivered to the tissue to safely and effectively remove the diseased tissue and facilitate the re-growth of new, healthy tissue. Together, the products offer physicians a safe and convenient solution for the removal of Barrett's esophagus.

A moderate percentage of patients with Barrett's esophagus have segments of diseased tissue that are longer than 1-2 centimeters, consisting of nearly circumferential disease or with patches in the form of islands or tongues emanating upward from where the esophagus meets the stomach. Featuring an electrode mounted on the end of an endoscope, the HALO⁹⁰ ULTRA - so named because it is double the length of the original HALO⁹⁰ focal device - is able to shorten Barrett's esophagus focal ablation treatment times, as the device treats twice as much area per energy application as the HALO⁹⁰ catheter.

"The HALO⁹⁰ ULTRA is an exciting development for patients with Barrett's esophagus, as well as for those suffering from a condition commonly referred to as 'watermelon stomach,' where chronic bleeding occurs," said Vafa Jamali, Vice President and General Manager, Covidien GI Solutions. "We are receiving positive feedback not only from clinicians who used the device in the esophagus, but also used it to cauterize the stomach bleeding, where patients otherwise undergo repeated blood transfusions."