Friday, October 30, 2020
Axonics Modulation Technologies, Inc., a medical technology company that has developed and is commercializing novel implantable sacral neuromodulation (SNM) devices for the treatment of urinary and bowel dysfunction, has submitted a premarket approval (PMA) supplement to the FDA for the purpose of gaining detachable extremity coil magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) conditional labeling for 1.5T and 3.0T MR scanners.
The FDA previously approved 1.5T and 3.0T MRI conditional labeling with head and full-body transmit coils for the implantable components of the Axonics r-SNM® System. This submission adds the ability to conduct MRI scans with detachable extremity transmit/receive coils. The standard FDA review timeline for labeling expansion PMA supplements is 180 days.
Extremity scans account for approximately 24% of all MRI scans performed today1. Axonics' current MRI labeling allows for extremity scans with RF body and specialized extremity coils. The expanded labeling would allow extremity scans using “Detachable Upper and Lower Extremity Transmit/Receive Coils.” The expanded labeling, if approved, would be applicable to all previously implanted Axonics Systems.
Guangqiang “Jay” Jiang, chief technology officer of Axonics, commented, “These additional conditions will provide Axonics with the widest range of MRI conditions in sacral neuromodulation. The benefits of this expansion include (a) better image quality for extremity scans and increased scanning setup flexibility; (b) broader MRI access for patients; and (c) avoiding RF exposure of the entire body, which may be important to patients who are frail, elderly, diabetic, obese, or pregnant as they are less tolerant to thermal stress from RF exposure. This submission further demonstrates Axonics’ commitment to continuous innovation for the benefit of patients, clinicians and the healthcare system.”
