Torax Medical’s Linx System: A New Approach To GERD

Most of the 20 million adults in the US who suffer from chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) hope to find symptomatic relief from their “heartburn” with first-line nonsurgical treatments, like raising the head of the bed, losing weight, eating smaller meals, or taking medications such as antacids or proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs). However, despite high-dose medications, GERD-related symptoms persist in almost 40% of patients, and less than 1% of these patients resort to having a laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication, an invasive, but effective surgical procedure that involves wrapping the upper portion of the stomach or fundus around the bottom of the esophagus.

Over the last decade, medical device manufacturers have been trying to develop an effective minimally invasive device for the treatment of GERD that fills the gap between pharmacological acid suppression therapy and major surgery such as a Nissen. Because reflux is caused by impairment of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a valve that normally prevents backflow of stomach acids into the esophagus, manufacturers have developed a variety of endoluminal modalities to augment the LES, such as radiofrequency energy, suturing, plication, and injection therapy. Some have achieved US Food and Drug Administration approval, including CR Bard Inc