Medtronic’s NuVent™ Indications Expanded to Include Revision Sinus Surgery

Clinical study conducted on revision subjects supports expanded indication for patients with previously surgically altered tissue

Medtronic plc tells us the U.S. FDA clearance of its NuVent™ sinus dilation system, has been expanded, which will mean it can be used in revision sinus surgery patients.

Background

Revision Sinus Surgery (RSS) may be needed when sinus surgery does not alleviate suffering. RSS can pose unique challenges due to potential scar tissue and altered anatomy from previous surgeries. For this reason, image-guided surgery is thought to have advantages for some types of revision cases and it is for this indication that Medtronic’s NuVent can now be used. NuVent is the first and only balloon sinus dilation system with built-in electromagnetic (EM) surgical navigation technology that may help surgeons confirm anatomy and optimize placement during the procedure.

NuVent was designed to work with image guidance technology called the Fusion™ ENT Navigation System, which is a GPS-like navigation system that helps physicians target blocked sinuses during a minimally invasive surgery performed in the office. Fusion navigation technology helps physicians confirm specific anatomy, avoid critical areas, and optimize balloon placement to open blocked pathways. It seemingly works like GPS in a car or on a phone and displays a visual map of the sinus anatomy. This may help surgeons steer the balloon to the blocked sinuses to inflate the balloon at the precise location to reshape(dilate) the tissue and bone to clear the sinus pathway.

When performed in the doctor’s office, this procedure is minimally invasive, offers faster recovery times and may allow eligible patients to have a lower out-of-pocket cost, says Medtronic in its press release.

The revised FDA clearance was based on the results of a prospective, non-randomized, non-blinded, single arm study conducted at investigational sites in the United States to assess the safety and device performance of the system.

Physician comments

“NuVent is an ingenious surgical tool that combines automatic calibration, precise electromagnetic navigation, and balloon dilation technology all in one device,” said Rick Chandra, M.D., professor of otolaryngology, chief of rhinology, sinus & skull base surgery, Vanderbilt University. “It has been extraordinarily useful in accomplishing the goals of revision functional endoscopic sinus surgery, particularly to address technical challenges associated with the frontal sinus.”

Company comments

“As the first sinus dilation system for revision surgery and the first with built-in electromagnetic tracking, NuVent is an example of transformative technology that provides meaningful benefits to patients and physicians and it has the potential to help improve patient outcomes and reduce out-of-pocket costs,” said Vince Racano, vice president and general manager of Medtronic’s ENT business, which is part of the Restorative Therapies Group at Medtronic. “Our innovative image-guided system used with NuVent provides surgeons with a detailed view of the sinus anatomy during the procedure and may enhance precision and allow physicians to help more patients in office.”

Source: Medtronic, plc

published: July 12, 2016 in: Approval/Clearance, Endoscopy, ENT, Medtronic

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