Las Vegas, Nevada (UroToday.com) -- Teleflex Incorporated (NYSE: TFX), a leading global provider of medical technologies, announced that its Interventional Urology business’ Barrigel™ rectal spacer is now available as a contouring structure option within Radformation's AutoContour v2.7 software. FDA-cleared in March 2026, the software version enables dosimetrists and physicians to efficiently contour Barrigel spacer during the treatment planning process for prostate radiation therapy.1 The AI model was trained using patient MRI and CT datasets from the Barrigel Pivotal Trial, obtained from 11 different institutions and centrally reviewed for consistent contour quality.1,2
In parallel with Teleflex's long-term strategy to significantly streamline the Teleflex business and narrow focus to the critical care and high-acuity hospital end-markets, the company's Interventional Urology business unit continues to drive clinical value as it prepares for its divestiture in the second half of 2026.
“Consistent and efficient contouring are critical components of prostate radiation treatment planning,” said Michelle Svatos, PhD, Director, Scientific Research Strategy and Innovation, Interventional Urology. “Integrating Barrigel rectal spacer into Radformation's AutoContouring platform helps streamline clinician workflows while supporting precise treatment planning based on CT or MRI imaging. This integration is another step forward in our commitment to providing radiation oncology teams with tools that support both procedural efficiency and positive patient outcomes.”Barrigel rectal spacer is the only sculptable spacer, allowing physician-controlled spacing for a safe, symmetric, and stable placement.2-7 By helping reduce radiation exposure to healthy rectal tissue, Barrigel rectal spacer may help patients maintain bowel function, quality of life, and minimize treatment-related rectal side effects.8
Clinical evidence continues to demonstrate the long-term benefits of Barrigel rectal spacer in protecting healthy rectal tissue during prostate radiation therapy.8 In May 2026, three-year data from the Barrigel Pivotal Trial presented at ESTRO 2026 showed that zero patients treated with Barrigel rectal spacer experienced Grade 2 or greater gastrointestinal toxicity, compared with 10 percent in the control arm.⁸ Additionally, patients with greater than 1 cm of apical spacing experienced less decline in bowel quality of life at 36 months, reinforcing the critical role of rectal spacing in preserving long-term bowel function after treatment.8
"This collaboration represents another step in making AI-trained contouring more comprehensive and clinically relevant. By incorporating Barrigel rectal spacer into AutoContour, we're helping radiation oncology teams achieve consistent contouring across CT, MR and CBCT while integrating seamlessly into the treatment planning workflow,” said Christine Gnaster, Vice President of Product, Radformation. “It's part of our broader commitment to delivering automation that improves efficiency without changing how clinicians work.”
On Dec. 09, 2025, Teleflex announced it has entered into definitive agreements to sell the company’s Acute Care, Interventional Urology and OEM businesses to two buyers, Intersurgical® Ltd with respect to Acute Care and Interventional Urology, and Montagu and Kohlberg with respect to OEM.
References
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. K260509: AutoContour (RADAC V5) 510(k) decision letter. Published March 19, 2026. Accessed July 6, 2026.
- Mariados NF, Orio PF III, King M et al. JAMA Oncology (2023)*,
- Barrigel Injectable Gel Instructions for Use (2022)
- Svatos M, Chell E, Low DA et al. Medical Physics (2024)*,†
- Data on file Teleflex. 2025
- Williams J, McMillan K, Chao M et al. Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences (2022)†
- Gejerman G, Goldstein MM, Chao M et al. Practical Radiation Oncology (2023)†
- King M, Chao M et al. Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial of Hyaluronic Acid Spacer for Hypofractionated Prostate Radiation Therapy: 3-Year Results. Presented at: European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) 2026 Annual Congress; May 2026; Stockholm, Sweden. Proffered Paper 3623.