Biosense Webster today launched its HelioStar balloon ablation catheter in Europe.
Johnson & Johnson’s subsidiary Biosense Webster launched the radiofrequency balloon ablation catheter for catheter-based cardiac electrophysiological mapping of the atria when used with a multi-channel RF generator.
According to the company, more than 11 million people in Europe have AFib. The expectation is that by 2030, the number of people with the heart condition will increase by up to 70%. Catheter ablation is typically recommended as the first treatment option for the condition and has been associated with improved quality of life and significant reductions in AFib burden, Biosense Webster said in a news release.
More about Biosense Webster’s HelioStar
HelioStar fully integrates with the 3D mapping system Carto 3. It has a compliant balloon that can conform to varied pulmonary vein anatomy and can achieve single-shot pulmonary vein isolation in 12 seconds. When used with the LassoStar catheter and the Carto 3 system, HelioStar may reduce fluoroscopy time and exposure, resulting in shorter procedure times.
The device has 10 gold-plated, irrigated electrodes. It’s possible to customize the power delivered to each electrode based on anatomical location and known tissue thickness. The multi-electrode single-shot balloon has the flexibility to perform circumferential and segmental ablation for personalized PV ablation. In addition, there’s the ability to control the amount of power delivered to each electrode independently, and the catheter delivers titrated radiofrequency energy.
“Our goal at Biosense Webster is to utilize the latest science and technology to help electrophysiologists deliver the best possible outcomes for their patients,” Biosense Webster President Michael Bodner said in a news release. “The launch of the HelioStar Balloon Ablation Catheter in Europe is an exciting milestone as we work together with the EP community to advance safe, effective and efficient treatment solutions for patients suffering from atrial fibrillation.”
The device is not yet commercially available in the U.S.
