Pennsylvania Patent of the Month – February 2022
Atherosclerosis is a thickening of the arteries as plaque builds up in the inner lining. Artherosclerotic occlusive disease is the primary cause of stroke, heart attack, limb loss, and death in the US. Balloon angioplasty is the most common treatment method, opening the blocked blood vessels by introducing a balloon catheter. Afterwards, the plaque is dissected to prevent further occlusion. Sometimes a stent is required to add more support into the vessel. There have been multiple clinical concerns with the use of stents, including body rejections. It can also provide a spot for plaque to begin rebuilding. With or without a stent, balloon angioplasty can have it’s own limitations.
Cagent Vascular, Inc. has designed a plaque serration method meant to better prepare the vessel for balloon angioplasty. If better prepared, the procedure has a better chance of success with fewer side effects. Their serration device microperforates the plaque with small sharp spikes. These create cleavage lines in the plaque.
The spikes can serve a dual purpose by transporting medication into the plaque to better break it apart. The balloon can still be coated in medication as well, and the serrations allow for a greater absorption due to the increased surface area. This serration allows the angioplasty to be performed at lower balloon pressures thereby introducing less risk of injury to the arterial wall. With improved medication absorption, the chance of needing a stent is significantly reduced.
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