A device that allows for the release of drugs to treat arterial disease has been launched.
The IN.PACT Amphirion paclitaxel-eluting PTA balloon catheter from Invatec is designed specifically to treat atherosclerosis in arteries located below the knee.
The device uses Invatec coating FreePac, which aids in the absorption of paclitaxel molecules into the artery wall.
Co-founders of Invatec, Andrea Venturelli and Stefan Widensohler said: “According to research published in the New England Journal of Medicine and Circulation, drug-eluting balloons utilising a special drug-elution formulation have demonstrated effectiveness in the treatment of atherosclerosis and the prevention of restenosis.
“Invatec is taking this approach further by offering a drug elution therapy targeted specifically for below-the-knee interventions and placing it on a market-leading, state-of-the-art platform, the Amphirion Deep balloon catheter.”
Dr Ulrich Speck and Dr Bruno Scheller, who pioneered drug-eluting balloon therapy, said it has the potential of cutting the need for follow-up treatments in patients with atherosclerosis.
Impaired blood flow caused by blockages below the knee can result in pain, poor wound healing, gangrene and a high risk of death.
Copyright Press Association 2009
