DUBLIN – February 27, 2019 – Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT) today announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance of the Accurian™ RF ablation platform, which conducts radio frequency (RF) ablation of nerve tissues. RF ablation is a minimally invasive procedure in which current produced by radio waves heats up a small area of nerve tissue to stop it from sending pain signals, thereby reducing pain. The Accurian system combines proprietary hardware and quad core processing with advanced software for power and temperature control resulting in consistent and predictable lesion formation. It also offers independent channel management and advanced smart features that may support procedural efficiency.

"The Accurian RF ablation platform is a significant addition in my practice because I know I'll get the same lesion every time in every channel due to how responsive the generator is in managing power and temperature," said Leo Kapural, M.D., Ph.D., a pain physician at Carolinas Pain Institute and Center for Clinical Research in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. "RF ablation requires both precision and flexibility. Accurian is intuitive and easy to use and enables me to easily upgrade the system and perform enhanced lesions with cooled RF probes."

The Accurian RF ablation platform can perform standard, pulsed, and enhanced procedures using internally-cooled probes to create a comprehensive range of lesion shapes, sizes, and volumes. It has independent channel control and chip-enhanced probes for easy on-screen identification, as well as smart features, such as downloadable procedure reports to support ease of use and efficiency. The Accurian system has been extensively tested for lasting reliability and is upgrade-ready as technology advances.
"Medtronic has a long-established track record of bringing to market improved options to support clinicians with state-of-the-art technology, like the Accurian RF ablation system, which was designed for consistency and efficiency," said Marshall Stanton, M.D., senior vice president and president of Medtronic's Pain Therapies division, which is part of the Restorative Therapies Group. "Medtronic is committed to advancing the treatment of pain as we introduce new options to help patients throughout the care continuum."


About Chronic Pain
Chronic pain, which lasts more than three to six months, is a disabling condition that adversely affects wellbeing and can interfere with working, sleeping, and participating in physical activities, ultimately affecting quality of life. At least 100 million American adults – more than those affected by heart disease, cancer, and diabetes combined – are affected by chronic pain.1 It is estimated that the cost to treat chronic pain in the U.S., as well as related lost productivity, is as high as $635 billion annually.2

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