New Balloon Catheter with Zipper Technology

The system has been cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for catheter use.

During angioplasty or a stenting procedure, an interventional cardiologist advances a balloon catheter or stent system to the site of the coronary lesion. Once in position at the lesion site, the balloon or stent is deployed to push plaque aside and widen the blood pathway. A proprietary "Z-component” is seated in the channel of the catheter that delivers the guidewire. As the doctor advances the catheter along the wire, the Z-component temporarily separates a small portion of the guidewire channel outside the body to feed the guidewire into the catheter. The separation automatically closes behind. The entire portion of the catheter inside the body is riding and surrounds the guidewire.

The Zipper technology allows use of a short guide wire, allows guidewires to be changed without removing the catheter, and allows catheters of different sizes to be exchanged during the procedure. The technology was developed by Medtronic, Inc. (Minneapolis, MN, USA). The company says the new platform will be offered with a variety of catheter options.

"Limitations in current delivery systems have been eliminated, and we expect interventional cardiologists to move quickly to adopt this unique and versatile technology that complements their advancing knowledge, dexterity, and skill, " said William A. Hawkins, senior vice president and president, Medtronic Vascular.




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