A Minimally Invasive Alternative to Surgery for the Treatment of Cancer

The ability to destroy tissue using extremely cold temperatures is not new. Cryo-ablation has been shown to be effective in treating cancer for over 50-years. What is new, however, is the ability to place cryosurgical probes, directly into cancerous tumors, percutaneously, under CT guidance. Now, tumors that would have otherwise been accessible only through open surgery can be treated in a minimally invasive out-patient procedure, sparing healthy tissue and avoiding the morbidity and physical trauma that accompanies traditional surgery.

HIGHLY VISIBLE UNDER IMAGE GUIDANCE
PerCryo's extreme visibility under image guidance may decrease the amount of mistreated tumor. Under Ct imaging, the ice ball is visible with a 40 hounsfield unit drop in attenuation, and with ultrasound ice is hypoechoic. Better monitoring during procedure results in higher verification of ablation zone.

Other ablative modalities such as radiofrequency, microwave or even chemical-ablation have been performed percutaneously, however none of these methods provide the unique combination of advantages afforded by cryo-ablation. Cryo-ablation creates a highly homogeneous zone of ablation, leaving no untreated areas within the ablation zone. All the other ablation modalities have been shown to create irregular ablation fields that can leave viable cancer behind.

LESS PAINFUL DURING & POST-PROCEDURE

PerCryo's ice formation is a natural anesthetic. This allows treatment of a broad variety of patients with minimal procedure discomfort. This may simplify the patients sedation requirements, require less analgesic, and aid in a faster recovery.

Also, unlike the other approaches, with cryo-ablation the treatment can be monitored in real-time to insure that the tumor is effectively engulfed in lethal ice. In addition, ice does not emit ionizing radiation nor is it painful. In fact, cold is nature's natural analgesic and has been used as such for centuries.

DOES NOT DESTROY COLLAGEN

PerCryo leaves tissue architecture intact. This allows for treatments near critical structures, such as the collecting system of the kidney or near the trachea. Sparing tissue architecture and allowing system functionally following treatment.

The advent of CT-compatible cryo-probes has ushered in a new era of safer and more effective minimally invasive cancer treatment that provides safe and effective cancer treatment, on an out-patient basis, with reduced complications and faster recovery while sparing more healthy tissue and providing the highest likelihood for a high-quality of life following the procedure.

CT guided cryo-ablation can be utilized to treat a number of cancers but is most commonly used for treating tumors in the kidney, liver, lung and other soft-tissue sites as well as for palliation of painful bone metastases.