AtriCure, Inc. announced that it has launched the cryoSPHERE®+ cryoablation probe, leveraging new insulation technology to reduce freeze times by 25% versus AtriCure?s legacy cryoSHPERE® device. The product is currently in an extended limited launch period in the United States, with full launch expected by the end of the second quarter. The cryoSPHERE+ device, a part of the cryoICE ® platform, is built upon the proven safety and efficacy of the cryoSPHERE device, which was cleared in November 2018 and has been used in over 60,000 procedures to date.

The cryoSPHERE+ received FDA 510(k) clearance for temporarily blocking pain by ablating peripheral nerves in adult patients, and by ablating intercostal nerves under direct visualization in adolescent patients (12-21 years of age). The cryoSPHERE+ device leverages new technology, which minimizes thermal loss by focusing energy at the ball tip, which provides a faster time to therapeutic temperature. This allows for a reduction in freeze time by 25%, which reduces operative time.

According to The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, 1 in 7 lung surgery patients (14%) became new persistent opioid users after surgery, which establishes opioid addiction as a common post-operative complication. AtriCure?s cryoICE platform technology uses a unique freezing method to block nerves from transmitting pain signals for several months. Because of its long-lasting nature, physicians are adopting Cryo Nerve Block therapy using cryoSPHERE as part of their multi-modal pain management strategy.