St. Joseph’s Performs Innovative Robotic Procedure to Stop Acid Reflux


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Pam Garretson
Director, Public Relations
973.754.4504 garretsonp@sjhmc.org

 

St. Joseph’s Performs Innovative Robotic Procedure
to Stop Acid Reflux
Among First in NJ to Use LINX System

 

PATERSON, NJ, JANUARY 23, 2018 – St. Joseph’s University Medical Center, part of St. Joseph’s Health, announced that it has become the first hospital in New Jersey to use the LINX Reflux® Management System to treat Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) through robotic-assisted surgery.

LINX is the latest tool in fighting GERD, a chronic, often progressive disease resulting from a weak Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) that allows harmful gastric fluid to reflux into the esophagus, resulting in pain and injury to the esophageal lining. The LINX System, designed by Torax Medical, Inc., is designed to augment the Lower Esophageal Sphincter, restoring the body’s natural barrier to reflux.

“We are pleased to offer our patients suffering from acid reflux a permanent and minimally-invasive solution, giving them freedom from lifelong antacid medications which can help with the symptoms but don’t stop the reflux,” said Tanuja Damani, MD, Director of Robotic Surgery, St. Joseph’s University Medical Center. “Performing robotic-assisted surgery to implant the LINX System provides our patients with same-day hospital discharge, quick recovery, the ability to resume a normal diet immediately following the procedure and enhanced quality of life.”

The LINX System is a small ring of interlinked titanium beads with magnetic cores, which is placed around the esophagus just above the stomach. The magnetic attraction between the beads helps the Lower Esophageal Sphincter resist opening to gastric pressures, preventing reflux from the stomach from entering the esophagus. However, LINX is designed so that swallowing forces temporarily break the magnetic bond, allowing food and liquid to pass normally into the stomach. The magnetic attraction then acts like a valve and allows the device to close the LES immediately after swallowing, restoring the body’s natural barrier to reflux.

According to the American Gastroenterological Association, more than 60 million Americans experience GERD symptoms about once a month and 15 million suffer from it daily. Symptoms of GERD include heartburn, regurgitation, sore throat, cough and chest pain, and is also associated with a pre-cancerous condition known as Barrett’s esophagus, which increases the risk of esophageal cancer.

About St. Joseph’s Health

St. Joseph’s Health is a world-class hospital and healthcare network supported by leading and renowned physicians, nurses and care teams. The organization operates a full continuum of care, including a regional tertiary care medical center, a state-designated children’s hospital, an acute care hospital, rehabilitation and long-term facilities, and comprehensive home care. U.S. News & World Report recognized St. Joseph’s as a Best Hospital in the New York Metropolitan Area and among the Top 10 Hospitals in the State of New Jersey for 2016-17. St. Joseph’s University Medical Center is a four-time recipient of the Magnet Award for Nursing Excellence and was awarded the prestigious 2016 Lantern Award™ by the Emergency Nurses Association, one of only 11 hospitals selected nationwide.

Robotic Surgery at St. Joseph’s Health

St. Joseph’s Health leads the way in robotic-assisted surgery, offering patients less pain and faster recovery with the most advanced treatment options, including the daVinci and the Mako systems. The program, led by some of the most experienced robotic-assisted surgeons in the country, promotes enhanced outcomes, quicker recovery and a better patient experience. For more information, please visit www.stjosephsrotobtics.com.

QUICK LINKS

Career Center
Gift Shop
Jersey Health Connect
Job Search
Library
Nursing
Newsroom
Your Health Series
Volunteer
Contact Us
Financial Assistance Program
Non-Discrimination Statement
COVID-19 Infection Prevention & Mitigation Plan

Paying for Your Care

Price Transparency

For billing related inquiries please call 973.754.2150
or email billingquestions@sjhmc.org

To pay by phone please call 1.888.582.3973
To pay your hospital bill online click here.
To pay your physician bill online click here.



LOCATIONS

St. Joseph’s University Medical Center

703 Main Street
Paterson, NJ 07503
Tel: 973.754.2000

St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital

703 Main Street
Paterson, NJ 07503
Tel: 973.754.2500

Location Finder

 

Community Health Needs Assessments

2023-2025 St. Joseph’s Health Community Health Needs Assessment Implementation Strategy
2022 St. Joseph's University Medical Center Community Health Needs Assessment
2022 St. Joseph's University Medical Center Community Health Needs Assessment Executive Summary
2019 St. Joseph's University Medical Center - Summary Report
2019 St. Joseph's Wayne Medical Center - Summary Report
2017 - 2019 St. Joseph’s University Medical Center Community Health Needs Assessment - Implementation Strategy
2017 - 2019 St. Joseph’s Wayne Medical Center Community Health Needs Assessment - Implementation Strategy
mystjosephsrecord
NYMC SJHS logo
 

Connect with us