Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) said today it launched the GenCut core lung biopsy system designed for use with its superDimension navigation system.
The system allows for surgeons to collect multiple core samples from difficult-to-reach areas in the lung, which can decrease procedure times, the Fridley, Minn.-based company said. GenCut’s new blade design also allows for larger, more intact samples to be collected, Medtronic said.
“Lung cancer diagnostic clinicians consistently state that tissue is the issue. When performing a biopsy, they need enough tissue for the pathologist to make a diagnosis and to ensure undamaged tissue for genetic testing and molecular analysis. As lung cancer drugs and therapies advance, the ability to provide earlier diagnosis and earlier, personalized treatment can potentially save lives,” Medtronic early technologies prez Chuck Brynelsen said in a press release.
According to the American Lung Association, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S., Medtronic said. Few symptoms are present in the early stages and late stage patients have lowered chances of survival, the company said.
“The continuum of care is the healthcare journey a patient takes from diagnosis to recovery. Our goal, across this continuum, is to diagnose earlier, intervene earlier, treat better and help patients recover faster,” Brynelsen said in prepared remarks.
Medtronic won FDA 510(k) clearance for the GenCut in April, the company said.