Devices Interventional

 News Release - May 12, 2010

Gore Reports First Patient Case Using GORE(R) DrySeal Sheath to Aid Minimally Invasive Treatment of Patients with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Revolutionary Device Delivers Consistent Performance, Better Control, and Minimized Blood Loss During Endovascular Procedure

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz.--(HSMN NewsFeed)--W.L. Gore & Associates (Gore) announced today the first patient case involving the revolutionary GORE® DrySeal Sheath. The sheath aids in minimally invasive treatment for patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) with the GORE® EXCLUDER® AAA Endoprosthesis and thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) with the GORE® TAG® Thoracic Endoprosthesis. The successful procedure was performed by Alan Lumsden, M.D., chairman of the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Methodist Hospital (TMH) in Houston, TX, during a Gore-sponsored Acute Symptomatic AAA Workshop conducted in The Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center.

Gore received FDA clearance in April 2010 to market the GORE DrySeal Sheath, which is comprised of the innovative hemostatic GORE DrySeal Valve attached to the introducer sheath. The GORE DrySeal Valve is truly unique in that it is pressurized to create a seal, thereby minimizing blood loss and accommodating multiple wires and catheters simultaneously. The valve consists of a silicone outer tube and an inner film tube that create an effective hemostatic seal that easily adapts to the profiles of the inserted devices. The device is available in profiles from 12 to 26 Fr, in 2 Fr increments, and has a working length of 28 cm.

According to Dr. Lumsden, “The ability of the GORE DrySeal Valve to accommodate multiple devices during difficult procedures with minimal blood loss keeps the operating field free from excess blood, while helping to prevent unnecessary blood loss to the patient. The GORE DrySeal Sheath requires no intra-procedural manipulation of the valve, delivering consistent performance throughout the procedure and allowing the physician to maintain focus on the endovascular procedure – without being concerned about blood loss at the patient access site.”

Gore Aortic Business Leader David Abeyta added, “This latest addition to Gore’s portfolio of world-class endovascular devices and accessory products minimizes patient blood loss during procedures with endovascular devices, such as the GORE EXCLUDER AAA Endoprosthesis.”

ABOUT W. L. GORE & ASSOCIATES

The Gore Medical Products Division has provided creative therapeutic solutions to complex medical problems for three decades. During that time, more than 25 million innovative Gore Medical Devices have been implanted, saving and improving the quality of lives worldwide. The extensive Gore Medical family of products includes vascular grafts, endovascular and interventional devices, surgical meshes for hernia repair, soft tissue reconstruction, staple line reinforcement and sutures for use in vascular, cardiac and general surgery. Gore was recently named one of the best companies to work for by Fortune magazine for the 13th consecutive year. For more information, visit www.goremedical.com.

GORE®, EXCLUDER®, TAG®, and designs are trademarks of W. L. Gore & Associates.

Source: W.L. Gore

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