The Excluder iliac branch endoprosthesis has exceeded 1,000 implants worldwide; a milestone that comes two years after the device received the CE mark in Europe. The device is currently commercially available in Europe and Australia, available through special access in Canada and is involved in a clinical trial in the USA.
The device is the first complete, fully engineered system (Gore designed iliac branch and internal iliac components) intended for endovascular treatment of common iliac artery aneurysms or aortoiliac aneurysms. Used in conjunction with Gore Excluder abdominal aortic aneurysm endoprosthesis components to isolate the common iliac artery from systemic blood flow and preserve blood flow in the external iliac and internal iliac arteries. The iliac branch device is built on Gore’s proven technology platform and designed using the same durable, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) graft and nitinol stent combination.
“With traditional endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) techniques, preserving flow into the internal iliac artery in patients with common iliac artery aneurysms can be very difficult. The availability of a complete EVAR system permitting preservation of pelvic blood flow using an iliac branch device was previously non-existent,” said Darren Schneider, chief of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery at the Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, USA. “Now, with so many examples of positive outcomes from all over the globe, it is exciting to see more patients have access to the clinical benefits offered by this device.”
The Excluder endoprosthesis provides a treatment range of 6.5–13.5mm for the internal iliac arteries, and a treatment range of 6.5–25mm for the external iliac arteries. The delivery profile of the loaded catheter allows the use of a 16Fr introducer sheath for the iliac branch component, and a 12Fr flexible, reinforced introducer sheath for the internal iliac component.
“Our dedicated components for iliac artery repair continue to provide a complete low profile system for managing common iliac artery aneurysms,” said Ryan Takeuchi, Aortic Business Unit leader at Gore. “Because of the various configurations, this innovative technical solution is available for choosing the right product for the best individual treatment of the patient.”
The Excluder is part of the growing family of Gore Excluder and thoracic conformable Gore Tag device products that share a mission to effectively treat aortic aneurysms through minimally invasive means.
