FLEX, which received CE Mark in Europe in 2015, provides interventionalists with a device that allows them to care for patients with severely blocked arteries that might not be effectively treated with traditional balloon procedures.
“Using FLEX prior to balloon angioplasty in our first-in-man trial, we were able to show statistically significant improvement in ankle-brachial index scores at 30 days,” said Dr. Pigott, chief science officer, VentureMed Group, Ltd. “Benefits for PAD patients may include fewer dissections and improved results at procedure completion. In fact, we continue to see encouraging data from early adopters across the European Union.”
How the FLEX Scoring Catheter worksThe FLEX Scoring Catheter surgical device is inserted through the patient’s artery to a point just below the blockage. The surgeon pulls a thumb lever that exposes three precision micro-blades that are mounted at the tip of the catheter. As the catheter is drawn through the plaque, the micro-blades make continuous scores, relaxing the plaque. Next, an angioplasty balloon is inflated to open up the artery, allowing blood to flow freely.
“FLEX deploys quickly and is easy to use, saving the interventionalist procedural time,” said Gary Smith, chief executive officer, VentureMed Group, Ltd. “Priced at a third of the cost of similar devices, it is an excellent vessel preparation tool for use with balloon angioplasty.”
What is PAD?Approximately 12 million people in the United States have PAD, the narrowing or blockage of the vessels that carry blood from the heart to the legs. PAD is usually caused by a buildup of plaque in the vessels and results in leg pain, difficultly walking, numbness or weakness in the legs. Left untreated, it could lead to amputation, heart attack and stroke.
For more information, visit www.venturemedgroup.com or email [email protected].
About ProMedicaProMedica is a mission-based, not-for-profit healthcare organization serving northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. The 13-hospital system has more than 17,000 employees, 2,300 physicians with privileges, and more than 800 healthcare providers employed by ProMedica Physicians. Additionally it offers a health plan, Paramount, which serves 320,000 members including more than 225,000 members in the statewide Medicaid plan. Driven by its Mission to improve your health and well-being, ProMedica offers a full range of diagnostic, medical and surgical specialties in areas such as emergency medicine and trauma, behavioral health, heart and vascular, oncology, orthopaedics, neurology, and women’s and children’s services. The health system has been nationally recognized for its advocacy programs and efforts to raise awareness about hunger as a health issue. For more information about ProMedica, please visit www.promedica.org/aboutus. About VentureMed Group, LTDVentureMed Group™ (VMG) is a commercial stage medical device company that develops and markets innovative medical devices, which enable interventionalists to cost effectively treat peripheral artery diseases and improve the lives of their patients. VMG was founded in 2012 and is based in Toledo, Ohio. For more information, visit www.venturemedgroup.com.###
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