Evaluation of Balloon-based Cryoablation of Human Esophageal Epithelium

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the histological results of a cryoablation technique used to ablate human esophageal mucosa. The performance and safety of the cryoablation technique will also be evaluated.

Inclusion criteria

• Patient must have a minimum of 2.0 cm of non-ulcerated, non-inflammatory columnar-lined esophagus or squamous esophageal lined tissue suitable for ablation. A patient may be treated with up to 2 zones of ablation.
• Patient is 18 to 80 years of age at the time of consent (inclusive).
• Patient has provided written Informed Consent Form (IFC) using a form that has been approved by the Institution's reviewing IRB/EC.
• Patient is willing and able to comply with all Clinical Investigation Plan (CIP) requirements.
• Patient's esophagectomy is clinically necessary due to reasons unrelated to this study.
• Patient is deemed operable per standard institutional criteria.

Exclusion criteria

• Patient has a known history of unresolved drug or alcohol dependency that would limit ability to comprehend or follow instructions related to IFC, post treatment instructions or follow-up guidelines.
• Patient refuses or is unable to provide written informed consent. - -
• Patient has or is currently undergoing endoscopic ablation therapy within 4 cm from the proposed treatment area including, but not limited to cryospray therapy, laser treatment, photodynamic therapy, multi-polar electro coagulation, endoscopic mucosal resection, radiofrequency ablation or argon plasma coagulation.
• Patient has esophageal narrowing limiting access to the intended site of ablation.
• Patient is undergoing or has recently undergone chemotherapy (within 15 days or WBC below normal by institutional criteria or standards).
• Patient is undergoing or has recently undergone radiation therapy which involved the esophagus (within 15 days or WBC below normal by institutional criteria or standards).