New Device "Targets" Prostate Cancer
The FDA recently approved a new medical device for prostate biopsies and improving the accuracy of less invasive cancer treatments. Created by St. Louis-based Envisioneering Medical Technologies, TargetScan is the latest innovation in prostate mapping, biopsy, and cancer treatment guidance. Combining 3-D image acquisition with a stationary probe, this new technology helps physicians plan and execute targeted prostate biopsies-potentially improving patients' cancer treatment outcomes with less-invasive procedures.
Current procedures require urologists to hold and pivot a probe with one hand while performing a needle biopsy with the other hand. The inherent variables of this existing biopsy technique can force doctors to miss as much as 20% to 30% of potential cancers, according to Gerald L. Andriole, MD, professor; of surgery and chief of urology at Washington University School of Medicine and director of the Urological Research Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.
"We've learned that current diagnostic tools are inadequate-missing cancer in some patients while overtesting others," says Andriole, who after examining Targetscan joined Envisioneering's medical advisory board. "With TargetScan, we anticipate improved cancer detection-saving time, money, and possibly lives."
TargetScan also impacts cancer treatment, according to Jeff Michalski, MD, department of radiation oncology at Washington University School of Medicine. "The clinical benefit from the TargetScan 3- D probe is obvious," says Michalski. "By eliminating the need to physically move the probe, the prostate position will be stabilized, allowing for improved radioactive seed implantation and better brachytherapy clinical outcomes."
Today, TargetScan is available in select urology clinics across the country for field testing. Envisioneering is planning a widespread TargetScan launch in conjunction with the American Urology Association conference held in San Antonio this May.
"We have met with urologists from across the country and heard their call for a better biopsy strategy to combat the disease that kills one man every 13 minutes," says Robert G. Mills, Envisioneering president. "With TargetScan, we have tried to answer this appeal by offering technology that we hope will reduce inconsistencies and produce conclusive test results from the first biopsy. This diagnostic and treatment delivery innovation is not only critical to a physician's medical practice, but it also is imperative for beating a cancer that is nearly 100% survivable if detected early"
For more information, visit www.envisioneeringmedical.com.
As seen in For the Record on March 28, 2005
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