Medgadget has previously reported on the STAR Tumor Ablation system from DFINE, a SF Bay Area based company that develops solutions for spinal diseases. The STAR Tumor Ablation System, that has now received CE Mark approval, involves a minimally invasive procedure using radiofrequency ablation therapy to reduce the size of metastatic spinal tumors. Conventional treatment methods for palliative treatment of metastatic spinal tumors may require weeks of treatment before the tumor begins to shrink in size. The STAR Tumor Ablation system, on the other hand, can significantly reduce the size of such tumors and measurably reduce back pains associated with the tumors with just one minimally invasive procedure. Further, for patients who undergo the STAR Tumor Ablation therapy, systemic and primary cancer treatment options need not be delayed, unlike with conventional radiation therapies.
The device had already received FDA clearance back in 2010 and with this CE Mark approval, the STAR system will be available for treatment in Europe.
Here’s a video about the STAR system. Though in German, the animation explains the technology well on its own:
Product page: STAR Tumor Ablation System…
Flashbacks: DFINE STAR Spine Tumor Ablation System Treats First Patient; DFINE STAR Tumor Ablation System Demonstrates Significant Clinical Benefit for Spinal Metastases
Press release: DFINE, INC. RECEIVES CE MARK APPROVAL FOR STAR™ TUMOR ABLATION SYSTEM
