Kidney: Cryotherapy

SeedNet™- A NEPHRON SPARING TREATMENT FOR RENAL TUMORS

In addition to providing excellent treatment for prostate cancer, SeedNet™ cryoablation is now being successfully applied to renal tumors. With the advent of superior diagnostic imaging modalities, there has been a large increase in detection of small renal tumors that are often malignantly localized and in some cases, benign. The standard treatments of radical or even partial nephrectomy with their associated complications are not appropriate for these tumors.

Among the various needle ablation techniques, cryoablation has demonstrated the most promise in its ability to produce completely necrotic and well-delineated renal lesions (Rehman et al, J of Urol 2001 June; 165(5); 21).

Advanced argon gas-based SeedNet™ provides an excellent nephron-sparing treatment for renal tumors and a superior alternative to partial and radical nephrectomies.

SeedNet™ allows for various approaches when performing renal cryoablation:

• In cases of laparotomy, cryoablation is a choice for treating multiple lesions with minimal damage to renal parenchyma.
  
• Used laparoscopically, cryoablation significantly reduces morbidity as well as recovery time (Gill IS, Urology 2000 Nov 1:56(5): 748-53).
  
• With a growing trend towards ultrasound guided percutaneously performed surgeries, SeedNet™, using proprietary 17-gauge needles, provides a treatment modality that expressly meets these criteria.
  

*Conditions under which ice ball dimensions are achieved. General dimensions stated are within ± 2mm. Tested at 3500 PSI inlet pressure. Test measurements in gel at 20°C, freeze for 10 minutes, passive thaw for 5 minutes and additional freeze for 10 minutes. IceBulb results are subject to ± 3 mm. SeedNet MRI preliminary data subject to ± 10%.