Volcano introduces VIBE RX: The World’s Only Vascular Imaging Balloon Catheter

• Author: Health Informer
• Filed under: Health News, Health Technology
• Date: May 26,2010

New, Proprietary Volcano Device Uniquely Integrates Real-Time IVUS and Balloon Dilatation Therapy

Volcano Corporation announced that it has received CE Mark approval for the VIBE(TM) RX Vascular Imaging Balloon Catheter. The company also announced that it has completed its first clinical cases with the VIBE(TM) RX in New Zealand. A single VIBE(TM) RX Catheter can quickly access, prepare, and assess challenging lesions. IVUS guidance provides precise, targeted balloon dilatation with immediate confirmation of interventional results.

“VIBE(TM) RX represents the first of what we believe will be many Volcano image-guided therapy devices designed to allow physicians to see more detail right at the point of the therapy,” commented Scott Huennekens, President and Chief Executive Officer of Volcano. “Although our initial focus is on cardiovascular applications, we believe that this platform can and will be leveraged to many other applications throughout the body. We plan to pursue this broader platform expansion through our internal development and through partnerships with other device manufacturers. Volcano is well-positioned to lead this movement in combining therapy and on-board imaging.”

“Volcano has successfully combined two important interventional tools – IVUS and balloon dilatation – into one powerful device,” said Dr. John Ormiston, Medical Director at Mercy Angiography in Auckland, New Zealand. “Physicians will have an attractive alternative to using separate IVUS and balloon dilatation catheters in a procedure. The use of imaging for more precise lesion assessment and stent placement has certainly benefited my patients. Integrating imaging directly onto the therapy device removes another barrier to IVUS use. I am pleased to see and be a part of the innovations Volcano is bringing to the cath lab and patients.”

“These VIBE(TM) RX product milestones are an important part of our overall s5(TM) and s5i(TM) multi-modality strategy,” added Huennekens. “We provide a single system that supports many advanced precision-guided tools. The VIBE(TM) RX is yet another tool that physicians can choose when building their patient or lesion-specific interventional strategy. We welcome this newest addition to our s5(TM) and s5i(TM) multi-modality platforms.”

Volcano expects to begin commercial shipments of the VIBE(TM) RX offering in Europe in the third quarter of 2010.