1. Medtech Insight
  2. >>Archive

Embolic Protection: Working the Guidewire With a Net

At this year's Paris Course on Revascularization (PCR), the leading European interventional meeting, embolic protection devices (EPDs) were among the prime subjects, in terms of clinical presentations and company exhibits. Some industry executives had predicted that Medtronic's acquisition last fall of PercuSurge would end the competitive race in this market before it really began. But judging by both the newer companies at the PCR and other recent entrants into this space, it appears that the battle has just begun. There are around 14 companies now competing in this space, six of which have received CE mark. Since none of these companies is on the US market, the initial competitive battle will be fought in Europe. Each of the major cardiology companies has already gotten into this area, generally through acquisitions. But there are also several start-ups that have come up with new technological approaches that are receiving favorable initial clinical reviews, so the debate remains open as to which of three approaches--occlusion balloons, filters, or proximal occlusion/reverse flow systems will ultimately prevail.

Until just a few years ago, interventional cardiologists and circus aerialists appeared to share the same mindset: both considered working their respective wires with a net unthinkable, an approach driven in part by the same motivation—to exhibit a mastery of their craft. Cardiologists believed a clinician's technique should be sufficiently precise to avoid dislodging any potentially risky emboli during percutaneous transvascular coronary angioplasty (PTCA) or other interventional procedures. The chance that emboli would come loose and cause a stroke or heart attack was deemed largely an issue of technique; the greater the physician's skill, the lower the risk. Until recently, this issue was only theoretical because no protection devices existed. But fortunately for patients, that mindset changed with the development of a variety of embolic protection devices (EPDs) and the accompanying data from clinical trials supporting their advantages. Today even leading interventionalists acknowledge and are promoting the use of EPDs.

Not only has the mindset of interventionalists changed, but so too has the competitive landscape. Some industry executives had predicted...

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Medtech Insight for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required
Start Free Trial

Already a subscriber?

More from Archive

Final Chance To Have Your Say: Take Our Reader Survey This Week

 
• By Ryan Nelson

Editor’s note: This is your final call to participate in the survey to better understand our subscribers’ content and delivery needs. The deadline is 20 September.

Shape Our Content: Take The Reader Survey

 
• By Ryan Nelson

Editor’s note: We are conducting a survey to better understand our subscribers’ content and delivery needs. If there are any changes you’d like to see in coverage topics, content format or the method in which you receive and access Medtech Insight, or if you love it how it is, now is the time to have your voice heard.

Patients With Movement Disorders Will Benefit From Medtronic’s Expanded MRI Labeling For DBS

 
• By Marion Webb

Medtronic announced it received expanded MRI labeling for its DBS systems, which is critical, given that almost 70% of all DBS-eligible patients will likely need an MRI at some point in their care, says Ashwini Sharan, CMO for Medtronic Neuromodulation.

Podcast: Lung Life AI CEO Shares Regulatory And Reimbursement Journey For Lung Cancer Diagnostic

 
• By Natasha Barrow

In this episode, Medtech Insight reporter Natasha Barrow speaks to LungLife AI CEO Paul Pagano. Lung Life AI is a US-based AIM-listed medical technology company that has developed a liquid biopsy test for the early detection of lung cancer called Lung LB. Pagano runs through the highlights of Lung Life AI journey to date and its future ambition for a strategic partnership. He also provides advice to similar diagnostic companies seeking reimbursement andcompliance with the US FDA Lab Developed Test ruling.

More from Medtech Insight

More Haste Less Pace? Challenging The ‘Early As Possible’ Principle In Medtech Innovation

 
• By Stuart Grant

The rallying cry to start as early as possible has become increasingly common in the world of medical device development. Innovation expert Dr. Stuart Grant challenges this conventional wisdom, asking: Is "sooner" truly better, or is there a smarter path to market for your medical device?

Johnson & Johnson MedTech: How To Scale Digital Solutions

 
• By Natasha Barrow

J&J's EMEA head of digital solutions, Julia Fishman, talks about the major hurdles in scaling digital innovation, tips for clinical adoption and what’s up next on J&J’s innovation road map. Robot-assisted surgery pioneer Ivo Broeders gives his perspective on the difficulties in clinical adoption.

J&J MedTech Launches KINCISE 2 Surgical Automated System In US

 
• By Natasha Barrow

The KINCISE 2 Surgical Automated System aims to “reduce the physical burden on surgeons compared to manual impaction in primary and revision hip and revision knee replacement procedures,” said J&J MedTech.