September 18, 2008 - National Instruments recently selected the Visica 2 Treatment System as the Humanitarian Application of the Year at the first-ever Graphical System Design Achievement Awards.
The Visica System is a minimally invasive cryotechnology device cleared for market by the FDA for the treatment of fibroadenomas, a common benign breast condition found in at least 10 percent of all women in the U.S. The procedure uses cryoablation, or extreme cold, to destroy tumors without requiring stitches or general anesthesia. The office-based procedure, which usually takes less than 30 minutes, involves placing a small needle into the center of the tumor using ultrasound guidance. The system creates very cold temperatures at the needle tip, freezing the fibroadenoma, damaging the tumor cells and causing them to break down to prevent re-growth.
Previously, surgical removal typically involved general anesthesia, a day in the hospital, an incision requiring stitches and several days of recovery. Cosmetic outcomes following surgical removal of a fibroadenoma can be troubling to patients, according to the company. Because cryoablation does not involve the removal of tissue and can be performed using a small incision that does not require stitches, cosmetic outcomes can be excellent.
For more information: www.sanarus.com. www.ni.com