The Indigo System Lightning 12 (Penumbra) is now commercially available in the USA, the company has revealed. In addition, Penumbra has announced the appointment of interventional radiologist Corey L Teigen (formerly Sanford Health, Fargo, USA) as chief scientific officer, and interventional radiologist James Benenati (formerly Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, Baptist Hospital, Miami, USA) as chief medical officer. Both positions have been newly created.
The Indigo System Lightning 12 is the company’s next generation aspiration system for peripheral thrombectomy. Lightning 12 combines the new Indigo System CAT12 aspiration catheter with Lightning intelligent aspiration, enabling physicians to focus on optimising thrombus removal using the system’s clot detection mechanism. CAT12 is a large-lumen aspiration catheter that incorporates novel laser-cut hypotube-based catheter engineering to provide advanced deliverability and torqueability within the body, a company press release describes. This combination of intelligent aspiration and large-lumen catheter engineering makes Lightning 12 Penumbra’s most advanced clot removal technology.
“Penumbra continues to lead the field of clot management by bringing highly innovative technology to address the challenges that we as physicians face while caring for our patients,” says Frank Arko (Sanger Heart and Vascular Institute, Charlotte, USA). “When dealing with thrombus, we have learned that it is the combination of the catheter along with powered aspiration that yields the most effective results. Lightning 12 with intelligent aspiration is a giant leap forward for the field of thrombectomy, and we have been very impressed with the early results at Sanger.”
“The simplicity of Lightning intelligent aspiration combined with the significant advancements in catheter engineering will enable us as physicians to get closer to our thrombus removal goal in a safe manner, as well as our goal of improving clinical outcomes for our patients,” says Patrick Muck, (Good Samaritan Hospital, Cincinnati, USA).
“Lightning 12 provides physicians with an integrated system that not only removes large amounts of thrombus but also detects and manages clot removal,” comments Jay Mathews (Manatee Memorial Hospital, Bradenton, USA). “This is a very important advancement for the field of thrombus management, and our initial experience at Manatee Memorial with this technology shows us that we are now closer to single-setting care for our patients.”
New leadership appointments
Penumbra also announced appointments for two newly created positions: Corey L Teigen, as chief scientific officer and James F Benenati, as chief medical officer.
Teigen joins immediately as CSO and will contribute his extensive scientific and clinical expertise to ongoing and future research and development efforts.
“In my radiology practice, I have seen first-hand the challenges medical practitioners face while treating difficult medical conditions,” Teigen states. “At Penumbra, I have a profound opportunity to change the course of healthcare delivery for people living with vascular disease. I feel privileged to join Penumbra’s unparalleled group of talented engineers and leaders, and I look forward to contributing my scientific knowledge to help solve challenging medical problems.”
Benenati will join Penumbra on 1 September 2020 as CMO, and will contribute to clinical and medical affairs strategies and advise upon global commercialisation and market development activities.
“I am excited to join Penumbra at this very important time for the company, where it is poised for growth, as it moves into the next generation of intelligent clot removal and expand into rehabilitation with the recent launch of the REAL system,” Benenati says. “Penumbra has changed the landscape of healthcare by providing truly innovative solutions for a wide realm of medical challenges. In this next phase, Penumbra is set to broaden its reach on a global scale, and I am thrilled to join this excellent team and help accelerate the impact of its products.”
“I am thrilled we are bringing Lightning 12, the most advanced technology for aspiration thrombectomy, to the peripheral interventional community,” adds Adam Elsesser, president and chief executive officer, Penumbra. “It is an ideal time for us to welcome Corey and Jim to Penumbra’s leadership team as we progress into our next phase of growth. Their career-long focus on patient care and their innovative mind-set are a perfect fit with our vision and culture, which is dedicated to making a fundamental difference in patients’ lives.”
