Cook Medical Introduces LoopTip Wire Guide for ERCPs

Cook Medical is releasing a new endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) wire guide for easier and less traumatic passage through the pancreatobiliary ductal system. With a newly designed closed distal loop, the Fusion LoopTip promises to avoid the nooks and crannies that can make passage difficult.
From a statement by Cook Medical:

Cook Medical’s launch of Fusion® LoopTip™ sets a new standard for wire guide cannulation, the company announced… LoopTip delivers potentially less traumatic access and navigation of the pancreatobiliary ductal system when diagnosing and treating conditions of the biliary and pancreatic ducts.
Designed with a nitinol core, the LoopTip wire guide is engineered to flex and deflect toward the open pathway. This delivers potentially less traumatic access and improved navigation of the pancreatobiliary ductal system, decreasing the risk of failed cannulation, perforation and post-ERCP pancreatitis. The nitinol core also provides kink resistance and shape retention.
The LoopTip wire guide also has a radiopaque coil spring that provides excellent fluoroscopic visibility. In addition, the spiral markings extending to the distal end of the wire guide provide an endoscopic view of the wire guide’s movement during cannulation. The wire guide also comes in a variety of lengths to suit physician preference.

Here’s a company animation demonstrating the guide’s navigating abilities: