TurboHawk Plaque Excision System

ev3 Inc. (Plymouth, MN) recently announced the launch of the TurboHawk system for use in all plaque morphologies, including calcified lesions. Based on their SilverHawk peripheral plaque excision system, which was originally cleared for use by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2003, the TurboHawk incorporates changes in the geometry and material of the cutter structure to treat calcified lesions that may be resistant to conventional treatment. According to the company, the TurboHawk features a cutter blade with four angled breakers for added performance when addressing all plaque morphologies, a catheter jog to provide consistent cutter apposition force, and a newly designed drive shaft to improve cutting efficiency. Indications, contraindications, warnings, and instructions for use can be found in the product labeling supplied with each device.

Endovascular Dilator Sets

Cook Medical (Bloomington, IN) recently announced the United States launch of its expanded Endovascular Dilator Set, which provides options for the navigation and predilation of abnormal iliac arteries during endovascular procedures. Formerly available in just 20 and 24 F, the dilators now come in five additional sizes, providing options to help accommodate a wide range of anatomies and endovascular aneurysm repair needs. Except for the stand-alone 14 F, the dilators come in sets of two (16/18, 20/22, and 24/26) to help with cost containment. Additionally, the length of the dilators was increased to 45 cm to better reach the aortic bifurcation. Each dilator features a hydrophilic coating that drastically reduces friction, easing access and maneuverability. According to the company, the enhanced features, along with the long-tapered tip and hydrophilic coating, make the dilators an ideal solution for endovascular interventions.

PiggyBack Wire Converter

Vascular Solutions, Inc. (Minneapolis, MN) announced the availability of its new PiggyBack wire converter, a unique device designed for peripheral interventional procedures when both a 0.014- and 0.035-inch guidewire are required. The PiggyBack is a 0.035-inch outer diameter catheter that can be delivered over and locked onto any standard 0.014- inch guidewire to allow subsequent delivery of intravascular devices. The PiggyBack converts the 0.014-inch guidewire into a 0.035-inch delivery device, preserving the position of the 0.014-inch guidewire and eliminating the need to switch-out or exchange guidewires. It can either be delivered over a 0.014-inch guidewire that is already positioned in the vessel or preloaded onto a 0.014-inch guidewire before it is introduced into the body. The PiggyBack features a 0.035-inch outer diameter sliding lock, hydrophilic coating for smooth delivery, a radiopaque marker band embedded in the distal tip for visualizing location, and is available in 80-, 120-, and 145-cm lengths. The PiggyBack is currently available for sale in the United States via Vascular Solutions' direct sales force.