The PROTEUS™ Device
The PROTEUS™ device has been developed by Angioslide for use in lower limb angioplasty. Below, we answer some of the questions you may have regarding the PROTEUS™ device.
What is balloon angioplasty?
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Balloon angioplasty is a medical procedure that is performed to open up arteries that have been narrowed by plaque. Balloon angioplasty is a safe and commonly performed procedure and is now considered standard PAD treatment. For many types of PAD a balloon angioplasty procedure has replaced a standard surgical procedure as first line treatment. The principle of balloon angioplasty is to insert a small balloon into a narrowed section of an artery where the balloon is inflated, causing the artery to open. This improves blood flow through the artery. The illustration below demonstrates the inflation of an angioplasty balloon, which will lead to the widening of the artery. |
What are the challenges facing Balloon Angioplasty?
For the most part, balloon angioplasty is a safe procedure and that is why it is performed so regularly. But as with most medical procedures, there are risks associated with balloon angioplasty. Some of these risks are relatively minor while others are more significant.
During any balloon angioplasty procedure, pieces of plaque debris can break off the artery wall and one of the challenges that doctors face while performing a balloon angioplasty procedure is to stop these pieces from traveling further down into the artery.
When a balloon angioplasty is performed in the arteries of the neck or the heart, doctors will often use filters or other devices to stop these pieces of plaque from traveling further down the artery. However, there are a number of reasons why these devices are not used in the arteries of the legs, including technical issues and cost.
To meet this challenge, Angioslide developed the unique PROTEUS™ device to function as an angioplasty device combined with an embolic capture feature.
During any balloon angioplasty procedure, pieces of plaque debris can break off the artery wall and one of the challenges that doctors face while performing a balloon angioplasty procedure is to stop these pieces from traveling further down into the artery.
When a balloon angioplasty is performed in the arteries of the neck or the heart, doctors will often use filters or other devices to stop these pieces of plaque from traveling further down the artery. However, there are a number of reasons why these devices are not used in the arteries of the legs, including technical issues and cost.
To meet this challenge, Angioslide developed the unique PROTEUS™ device to function as an angioplasty device combined with an embolic capture feature.
About the PROTEUS™ device
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The PROTEUS™ device was developed by Angioslide to meet the challenge faced by doctors wanting to prevent plaque debris from blocking arteries following lower limb balloon angioplasty. The PROTEUS™ device works in two ways. Firstly, the PROTEUS™ device is an angioplasty device that behaves and functions just like any other angioplasty balloon. This means that your doctor can use the PROTEUS™ device to perform standard lower limb balloon angioplasty. Secondly, the PROTEUS™ device has a unique feature that captures plaque debris before the debris can travel further down into the artery. This feature is called the “embolic capture feature”. On the left is an illustration of the PROTEUS™ device. |
PROTEUS™ Device Benefits
The main advantage of the PROTEUS™ device is that it performs two functions in a single device. PROTEUS™ behaves and functions as a standard angioplasty balloon while also capturing plaque debris before it can block off arteries further down the leg. Physicians using the PROTEUS™ device can now capture embolic particles in every angioplasty procedure and yet have the same device perform balloon angioplasty.
One of the significant benefits of having these two functions in a single device is that it is now technically easier to capture plaque debris than it otherwise would be. Other benefits of the PROTEUS™ device include the ease with which the PROTEUS™ device can be used and the low cost of the device, given its dual functionality.
The PROTEUS™ device has been tested in a clinical trial and the results proved its effectiveness as a standard angioplasty balloon that can also capture embolic debris.
One of the significant benefits of having these two functions in a single device is that it is now technically easier to capture plaque debris than it otherwise would be. Other benefits of the PROTEUS™ device include the ease with which the PROTEUS™ device can be used and the low cost of the device, given its dual functionality.
The PROTEUS™ device has been tested in a clinical trial and the results proved its effectiveness as a standard angioplasty balloon that can also capture embolic debris.
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© 2011 Angioslide. All Rights Reserved.
© 2011 Angioslide. All Rights Reserved.