EndoHPB

The EMcision hyperthermic EndoHPB is a stent-like device which can deliver appropriate targeted heat to actually treat tumours in hollow organs such as the oesophagus, colon, pancreas and urethra (for treatment of prostate lesions). However, the EndoHPB does not remain within the diseased area after treatment – a traditional plastic stent could be placed at the appropriate site if required after use of the EndoHPB.

Surgical stents represent a simple mechanical solution to the problem of ensuring that the lumen of a hollow organ remains patent in circumstances where disease processes would otherwise result in it being obstructed and thus diminish the quality of life of patients. Pioneered in cardiac and vascular surgery, stents are now recognised as a valuable component of palliative therapy in progressive diseases of the urethra, colon, bile duct, pancreas and oesophagus. However, these stents are passive – they relieve the obstruction but do not have any anti-cancer effect. Moreover, they do block – usually over a relatively short time span By contrast, the EMcision EndoHPB will allow palliative destruction of the cancer, which thereby reduces tumour bulk, relieves the obstruction and potentially allows other therapeutic options to be considered (e.g. chemotherapy).