Study: NEUWAVE System With Ablation Confirmation Software Leads to Improved Outcomes

A new study found the use of the NEUWAVE System with Ablation Confirmation software demonstrated improved procedural outcomes during liver tumor ablation procedures. In this study, the information provided by the NEUWAVE Ablation Confirmation software resulted in probe repositioning in 20-23 percent of the procedures,100 percent technical success and improved overall procedural outcomes.¹
 
The study was published online as part of the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe (CIRSE) 2020 Summit. The study was sponsored by Ethicon,* a Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices** Company, and the manufacturer of the NEUWAVE Microwave Ablation System, a minimally invasive technology that uses heat transmitted through image-guided needle-like probes to destroy targeted soft tissue lesions in the liver, kidneys and lungs. Read the study summary for more details.
 
“The NEUWAVE Ablation Confirmation helps improve precision and accuracy in ablation procedures, which is critical to achieving technical success. I believe this software will become standard practice as we seek to improve outcomes,” said Paul Laeseke,^ M.D., Ph.D., study co-author and an interventional radiologist at the University of Wisconsin – Madison.
 
The NEUWAVE Ablation Confirmation software is the only integrated in-procedure confirmation software on the market. The software assists physicians by improving visualization throughout the procedure and by helping define and lock target tumor volume, evaluate the exact proximity of the probe to the target and verify technical success to ensure full tumor and margin coverage.  
 
Previously, researchers from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center presented studies at annual meetings of the Society of Interventional Oncology (SIO) and the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) highlighting their experience with the NEUWAVE Ablation Confirmation software. The studies demonstrated the software was superior at detecting margins of 5mm or less (38.5 percent detected) in ablated tumors versus standard CT scans alone (0 percent detected). In addition, the study found that the software had high sensitivity and specificity for predicting local tumor progression (100 percent/92.3 percent).²
 
The NEUWAVE System is already the leader in microwave ablation in the United States and is growing rapidly throughout Europe and Asia.³ The addition of NEUWAVE Ablation Confirmation software is predicted to accelerate adoption.
 
With the results shown in this emerging evidence, Ethicon continues to invest in evidence to support the NEUWAVE Microwave Ablation System. Last year, the company launched a prospective study on NEUWAVE Ablation Confirmation as well as a global registry to collect and analyze real-world data on patients with soft tissue liver lesions ablated with the NEUWAVE System.   
 
*Ethicon represents the products and services of Ethicon Inc., Ethicon Endo-Surgery LLC and certain of their affiliates. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. 
**The Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies comprise the surgery, orthopedics, vision and interventional solutions businesses within Johnson & Johnson’s Medical Devices segment. 
^Paul Laeseke, MD, PhD is a paid consultant for Ethicon.

References 
¹ Lescher J. et al. Effect of Ablation Confirmation Software on Microwave Ablation Efficacy and Outcomes. Presented at CIRSE 2020 Annual Conference
² Kamarinos, NV, et al. 3D Assessment of Ablation Zone Margins with NeuWave Ablation Confirmation (AC) Software: A Feasibility Study. Abstract presented at the Society of Interventional Oncology Annual Meeting, 31 January – 3, February 2020, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Kamarinos, NV, et al. Three-dimensional assessment of the ablation zone margins with the NeuWave Ablation Confirmation software: a feasibility study. Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology 31 (3): S216. 2020
³ Millennium Research Group 2019. Interventional Oncology Devices.