VentureMed Group, Inc., a privately held medical device innovator in access management for arteriovenous (AV) fistulas and grafts and vessel preparation for interventional treatment of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) announced that Dr. Ari Kramer, Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery and Director, Vascular Access Program, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System treated the first patient with the FLEX Vessel Prep System 75 cm length targeting AV access interventions including the hard-to-reach Cephalic Arch stenoses.
“As a physician treating AV patients who rely on uninterrupted lifesaving hemodialysis, I am always looking for new technology and solutions to solve our challenging issues in AV access”, said Ari Kramer, MD., “I believe Vessel Prep in AV access is essential for durability regardless of final therapy. The FLEX Vessel Prep system offers a unique non-balloon-based prep that extends patency between interventions and decreases the need for stenting. This new 75cm device is especially beneficial for me to reach and treat the very challenging cephalic arch lesions.”
Also Read: Astellas and Pantherna Enter into a New Technology Evaluation Agreement
The first patient treated was part of VentureMed successful Limited Market Release with the 75cm AV product in several key accounts prior to full launch. The 75cm product was created to address key voice of customer feedback that lesions in the Cephalic Arch region are often hard to reach and problematic due to complicated vasculature and complex stenoses. In addition to the longer catheter, the FLEX treatment element has been optimized to create even more consistent engagement in the vessel creating micro-incisions in the stenoses. FLEX has a unique non-balloon-based mechanism of action that creates longitudinal micro-incisions releasing circumferential tension in diseased vessels. This tension release allows FLEX to modify AV stenoses safely and effectively to improve and extend patency for all therapeutic treatments (PTA, DCB etc.), reduce complications and vessel trauma including explosive dissections that can lead to bail-out stenting, treats in-stent restenosis (ISR) and improves health-economics.