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NanoKnife® System

The NanoKnife System is a next generation in minimally-invasive tissue ablation technology, designed to effectively eliminate targeted soft tissue with reduced risk of functional damage to surrounding structures. It is the first product offered by AngioDynamics that uses the new, potentially groundbreaking irreversible electroporation (IRE) technology, a non-thermal ablation method designed for the precise, fast and effective ablation of soft tissue.

Often described as "surgery at the cellular level," the NanoKnife System uses electrical fields (Direct Current) to create nano-scale defects in the membranes of cells within a targeted soft tissue region, causing cell death only in the treated tissue. While other minimally-invasive surgical techniques, such as radiofrequency ablation, microwave ablation, or cryoablation, utilize extreme heat or cold – which can irreparably damage healthy tissue outside the target ablation zone – the NanoKnife System allows the physician to more precisely target a specific region of soft tissue with less potential for damage to collateral structures.
 

 

The NanoKnife System uses electrode probes to transmit active energy from its generator to a targeted area. The system includes an energy generator, footswitch and single-use disposable electrodes.

Beginning in 2009, AngioDynamics commenced a commercial program under which the following institutions began utilizing the NanoKnife System (status as of July 2, 2010).

  1. The Alfred Hospital – Australia
  2. Baptist Health – Little Rock, Ark.
  3. LSU Health Sciences Center – Shreveport, La.
  4. Piedmont Healthcare – Atlanta, Ga.
  5. Roper St. Francis Healthcare – Charleston, S.C.
  6. Shands/University of Florida – Gainesville, Fla.
  7. St. John’s Medical – Tulsa, Okla.
  8. St. Joseph’s Hospital – Atlanta, Ga.
  9. Stony Brook Medical Center – Stony Brook, N.Y.
  10. University of California, Irvine
  11. University of Louisville – Louisville, Ky. 
  12. University of Miami
  13. University of Rochester – Rochester, N.Y.
  14. Valley Baptist – Harlingen, Texas



For important risk information regarding the use of this device, please click here.

In the United States the NanoKnife System is cleared only for use in soft tissue and is not cleared for use in any specific tissue, organ or disease.