Medtronic Introduces New Test for Acid Reflux.Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers SAN FRANCISCO--(BW HeathWire)--May 21, 2002 Bravo(TM) pH Monitoring System complements full line of products for gastroenterology Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :MDT MDT abbr. Mountain Daylight Time MDT (in the US and Canada) Mountain Daylight Time MDT n abbr (US) (= mountain daylight time) → ), reinforced its leadership in gastroenterology during Digestive Disease Week (DDW DDW Digestive Disease Week DDW Diseases of the Developing World DDW Dimensional Data Warehouse DDW Digital Data Warfare DDW Darkness Does Wonders (bar slang) DDW Data Driven Workflow ) with the U.S. commercial launch of the Bravo(TM) pH Monitoring System, the first catheter-free method for measuring esophageal acid levels for the evaluation of gastroesophogeal reflux disease (GERD GERD gastroesophageal reflux disease. GERD abbr. gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD ). The introduction of the Bravo System, the first catheter-free method for measuring esophageal pH for the evaluation of GERD in a way that frees patients from cumbersome nasal catheters, marks the first in a series of products for enhanced diagnostics and new therapies in gastroenterology now in development by Medtronic. In addition to the Bravo System, clinical studies for three other Medtronic medical technologies are also being presented this week at DDW: the Gatekeeper(TM) Reflux Repair System, Enterra(TM) Therapy for gastroparesis and InterStim(R) Therapy for Bowel Control. "Medtronic is excited to apply new, advanced technology to solve medical problems for patients and healthcare providers," said Martha Goldberg Aronson, vice president and general manager of Medtronic's gastroenterology and urology business. "With our introduction of the Bravo pH Monitoring System, we extend our commitment to expand our offerings of state-of-the art diagnostic tools and therapies to treat patients suffering from gastrointestinal disorders." Gatekeeper(TM) Reflux Repair System Currently, GERD must be treated with either expensive, lifelong drug therapy or, in severe cases, invasive abdominal surgery such as Nissen fundoplication Nissen fundoplication Neonatology A laparoscopic procedure for treating reflux esophagitis and GERD. See Gastroesophageal reflux disease, Nissen fundoplication. . A novel approach to the treatment of GERD, the Gatekeeper(TM) Reflux Repair System is one of Medtronic's newest products in development, and may provide an alternative to drugs and surgery for severe cases of GERD. The Gatekeeper System uses a biomaterial placed with a proprietary delivery system into the wall of the esophagus. A common disorder characterized by serious heartburn heartburn, burning sensation beneath the breastbone, also called pyrosis. Heartburn does not indicate heart malfunction but results from nervous tension or overindulgence in food or drink. , GERD is caused when the lower esophageal sphincter lower esophageal sphincter n. A ring of smooth muscle fibers at the junction of the esophagus and stomach. Also called cardiac sphincter. (LES) becomes weak and ineffective, allowing stomach contents to reflux into the esophagus. More than 60 million American adults experience reflux and heartburn at least once a month, and approximately 21 million adults are estimated to have GERD. Enterra(TM) Therapy and InterStim(R) Therapy Two additional treatements in development by Medtronic for gastrointestinal disorders are Enterra Therapy for gastroparesis and InterStim(R) Therapy for Bowel Control. Currently available under a humanitarian device exemption, Enterra Therapy is a treatment option for patients with chronic nausea and vomiting Nausea and Vomiting Definition Nausea is the sensation of being about to vomit. Vomiting, or emesis, is the expelling of undigested food through the mouth. associated with gastroparesis that is not controlled by medication. InterStim Therapy for Bowel Control, currently under clinical evaluation clinical evaluation Medtalk An evaluation of whether a Pt has symptoms of a disease, is responding to treatment, or is having adverse reactions to therapy , offers a novel treatment option for fecal incontinence Fecal Incontinence Definition Fecal incontinence is the inability to control the passage of gas or stools (feces) through the anus. For some people fecal incontinence is a relatively minor problem, as when it is limited to a slight occasional soiling of . Medtronic, Inc. (www.medtronic.com), headquartered in Minneapolis, is the world's leading medical technology company, providing lifelong solutions for people with chronic disease. More information about Medtronic's diagnostics and therapeutics for gastrointestinal disorders is available by calling 1-800-227-3191. Any statements made about the company's anticipated financial results and regulatory approvals are forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 27, 2001. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results. |
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