AtriCure Announces Launch of the cryoFORM™ Cryoablation Probe

Offering expands on the company’s cryoablation suite of products by introducing an even more flexible probe for use in a variety of surgical interventions to treat cardiac arrhythmias

WEST CHESTER, Ohio., AtriCure, Inc. a leading innovator in treatments for atrial fibrillation (Afib) and left atrial appendage management, today announced the launch of the cryoFORM™ cryoablation probe, which offers increased probe flexibility to adapt to a variety of surgical ablation procedures. This offering adds to the cryoICE™ family of ablation products which are used in the cryosurgical treatment of cardiac arrhythmias.

The cryoFORM™ probe builds off of the company’s core strengths in cryoablation technology, leveraging such important features as thermal capacity to remove heat and active defrost, which allows the probe to be safely and quickly detached while maintaining the tissue’s frozen state. Building upon those strengths, the new probe offers increased flexibility, allowing the surgeon to more easily manipulate and apply the device and conform to challenging anatomies.

“We are excited to announce the launch of the cryoFORM™ probe,” said Mike Carrel, President and CEO of AtriCure. “This builds off of one of our company’s core competencies in cryoablation, and offers our customers another option when performing surgical ablation by allowing for easier manipulation and application of the device. We have listened to our customers’ requests for a significantly more flexible probe that doesn’t compromise on the core strengths and features they value most.”

The development of the cryoFORM™ probe is also intended to address the trend towards more minimally invasive techniques in cardiac surgery, which are being used in conjunction with a variety of cardiac therapies, including mitral and aortic valve repair. In addition to an even more malleable probe shaft, the cryogen supply tubing for the cryoFORM™ probe has been made more flexible to allow for easier handling and delivery, which improves the overall ease-of-use in settings where range of motion is limited.

Cryoablation technology has been used for decades in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, and has advantages over other energy sources for creating lesions on certain cardiac structures. The entire cryoICE™ system offers exceptional cryo ablation performance by leveraging nitrous oxide, which is the most widely used and published cryogen in all cardiac specialties. Nitrous oxide combined with the unique design of the probe ensures rapid extraction of heat from targeted tissue, one of the primary determinants of success in cryo ablation. This rapid heat extraction combine with a slow and natural thawing process called active defrost, provides maximum cell death of targeted tissues.

“The cryoFORM probe works well in MI-MVR procedures and allows me to easily shape and position the probe inside the LA using endoscopic instruments,” said Nicolas Doll, MD, and Professor at Sana Herzchirugie in Stuttgart, Germany. “The probe is a great addition to the cryoICE family that I can rely on for fully transmural lesions.”

The cryoFORM™ probe has received CE mark and is pending FDA clearance.

Source: AtriCure