Volcano has received European CE approval for its VIBE RX vascular imaging balloon catheter. It is the world’s first catheter that combines intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) with a balloon in one device. Initially the focus is on cardiovascular applications, with other applications expected to follow later.
The integrated IVUS allows for accurate lesion assessment and precise stent placement, and intervention results can be directly visualized. Although in most, if not all, situations it will probably be used in combination with conventional angiography, this does make IVUS a lot more useful and practical. The company expects to start shipment of the catheters throughout Europe in the third quarter of 2010.
Press release: Volcano Introduces VIBE RX – the World’s Only Vascular Imaging Balloon Catheter…
Company website: Volcano Corporation…