October 10th, 2012 Medgadget Editors Vascular Surgery

Volcano Corp out of San Diego, CA received regulatory approval on both sides of the Atlantic for its Visions PV .035 digital intravascular ultrasound imaging (IVUS) catheter.

New features within the device include distance markers that make deciding which tools to use for treatment a faster, more intuitive process, leading to reduced use of contrast imaging agents, as well as a more compliant tip and a new coating that helps propel the catheter through vasculature.

More from Volcano about the company’s new catheter:

Company officials point to a study conducted in Osaka, Japan, published in the European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery that demonstrated the use of IVUS resulted in significantly less contrast needed during endovascular aortic repair (EVAR). The new centimeter markers make these procedures faster and easier[1] and eliminate the need for additional marker catheters or a sterile ruler.

The new catheter features other enhancements, including a longer connector length to improve procedural flexibility, new materials, a softer, more rounded tip with lower entry profile and GlyDx® hydrophilic coating for delivery through tortuous anatomy.

Press release: Volcano Announces CE Mark and 510(k) Clearance for New Visions® PV .035 Digital IVUS Catheter

Product page: Visions PV .035 Digital IVUS Catheter

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Medical technologies transform the world! Join us and see the progress in real time. At Medgadget, we report the latest technology news, interview leaders in the field, and file dispatches from medical events around the world since 2004.