Boston Scientific is launching its new Guidezilla Guide Extension Catheter in the U.S. and Europe following both FDA approval and receipt of CE Mark for the device. The Guidezilla, used along with guide catheters, is meant to help deliver interventional devices to complex lesions within coronary vasculature, navigating through tortuous anatomy that can be a challenge for other devices.
The Guidezilla is delivered to the site of the lesion, just before the treatment area, providing a channel through which other tools of the trade can be safely and reliably delivered. The device has a 145 mm overall length, of which 120 mm is the “Hypotube” shaft and 25 mm the guide catheter. The shaft has a stainless steel collar surrounded by a polymer, together providing high pushability, while external braiding improves resistance to kinks.
Features and benefits according to the product page:
- 18% More Pushable – Stiff-yet-flexible stainless steel hypotube shaft provides exceptional pushability and kink resistance when advancing the extension catheter
- 55% Less Frictional Force / Better Deliverability – Hydrophilic coating on the outer diameter reduces friction and enhances deliverability through complex, tortuous anatomy
- 8% Increased Back-Up Support – 1×1 Braid provides extra back-up support without over-straightening the vessel
- 0.001” Larger I.D. / 0.001” Smaller O.D. – 0.057” Inner-diameter allows more room to deliver interventional devices. 0.066” Outer-diameter reduces guide catheter interference
- Deliverability of Interventional Devices – Stainless steel collar embedded in polymer is designed to optimize accessory device delivery
- Visibility – Two radiopaque marker bands facilitate accurate placement and positioning
- Extended Length – 25 cm distal catheter segment enables access to discrete lesions
- Tip Safety – Soft, flexible, and atraumatic tip designed to minimize the risk of complications to the vessel
Here’s a Boston Sci animation showing off the Guidezilla:
Product page: Guidezilla…
Press release: Boston Scientific Launches Guidezilla™ Guide Extension Catheter in U.S. and Europe