Healthcare Industry News: Balloon catheter
News Release - May 31, 2006
Cordis Announces Nationwide Introduction of Breakthrough Devices to Treat Artery Blockages in Leg
FRONTRUNNER(R) XP CTO and OUTBACK(R) LTD(TM) Re-Entry Catheters May Help Patients Avoid AmputationWARREN, N.J., May 31 (HSMN NewsFeed) -- Cordis Endovascular, division of Cordis Corporation, today announced the nationwide introduction of two breakthrough devices, FRONTRUNNER® XP CTO and OUTBACK® LTD(TM) Re-Entry Catheters to treat artery blockages in the lower leg, a common finding in patients with diabetes and peripheral vascular disease. Both devices facilitate the placement of a guidewire in minimally invasive procedures such as angioplasty and stenting of chronic total occlusions (CTO). A CTO is a complete or nearly complete blockage of an artery that can lead to surgery or lower leg amputation.
Previously, many patients with CTOs did not have access to less-invasive procedures, like angioplasty or stenting, to open blockages. In order to treat CTOs with less-invasive methods, a doctor must first cross through the blockage. The FRONTRUNNER® XP CTO and OUTBACK® LTD(TM) Re-Entry Catheters allow physicians to break through complete blockages allowing treatment with stents or balloons. By using these catheters, patients may avoid having to undergo difficult surgeries or even amputations.
"With the nationwide availability of these devices, many patients with diabetes or peripheral artery disease may now be able to avoid having amputations due to serious blockages in their legs," said Dr. Dennis Donohoe, Wordwide Vice President, Clinical and Regulatory Affairs, Cordis Corporation. "These devices provide patients with another treatment option to open severe blockages through less invasive means."
CTOs can obstruct circulation in vital peripheral arteries, causing severe pain, skin ulcers, infections and the potential need for amputation. More than 20 million Americans who suffer from diabetes are at risk of amputation of a lower limb. In addition, patients without diabetes who have peripheral vascular disease may also develop CTOs. Approximately 9 million people in the U.S. have peripheral vascular disease, and only 725,000 people are diagnosed annually and less than half receive either surgical or endovascular treatment.
About Cordis Endovascular
Cordis Endovascular is a recognized leader in endovascular research and development. It has the resources to make breakthrough treatments possible along with the reputation for delivering trusted, quality products and value that is expected by our customers. Cordis Endovascular is a worldwide supplier of interventional and diagnostic medical products including nitinol and stainless steel stents, vena cava filters, Balloon catheters and accessories. It is committed to serving the cardiology, radiology and vascular surgery communities through the development of groundbreaking technologies for the treatment of peripheral vascular disease. Cordis Endovascular constantly seeks solutions to the human anatomy's most challenging problems, such as carotid artery disease, aortic aneurysm, superficial femoral artery disease and venous thrombotic disease.
About Cordis Corporation
Cordis Corporation, a Johnson & Johnson company, is a worldwide leader in developing and manufacturing interventional vascular technology. Through the company's innovation, research and development, physicians worldwide are better able to treat the millions of patients who suffer from vascular disease.
Source: Cordis
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