Invatec has announced that it has entered a worldwide distribution agreement with Lumen Biomedical to distribute the FiberNet Embolic Protection System (EPS).
FiberNet EPS, which received FDA clearance in November 2008, is indicated for the treatment of patients receiving endovascular intervention for carotid artery disease. The product has also received CE mark approval for use during carotid and saphenous vein graft procedures. The approval followed the release of the EPIC clinical study data demonstrating the lowest stroke rates of any filter currently available on the US market.
The FiberNet EPS captures debris released during the stenting procedure and prevents it from traveling to the brain, where it has the potential to cause a stroke. The defining attribute of the FiberNet filter lies in the 3-dimensional design, comprised of a matrix of fibers, allowing for better capture efficiency (>40μm). The low-profile filter is mounted on a guide wire, needing no delivery system to cross the lesion. Remote actuation deploys the fiber-based filter – treating vessels ranging from 3.5 to 7.0 mm – filling the vessel and ensuring excellent wall apposition.
After the particles have been captured, the FiberNet filter is retrieved into the retrieval catheter under aspiration, and removed from the patient.
The FiberNet EP System was evaluated in the multi-center, EPIC trial during carotid artery stenting of 237 high surgical risk patients with a critical carotid artery stenosis. Overall, the combined major adverse event rate at 30 days for all death, stroke and myocardial infarction was 3%. There were five strokes (four ischemic and one hemorrhagic) for a 30-day stroke rate of 2.1%. There were no unanticipated adverse device effects.
