Treatment of Metastatic Spinal Lesions with a Navigational Bipolar Radiofrequency Ablation Device: A Multicenter Retrospective Study

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Praveen R. Anchala, MD, Winston D. Irving, MD, Travis J. Hillen, MD, Michael V. Friedman, MD, Bassem A. Georgy, MD, Douglass, M. Coldwell, MD, PhD, Nam D. Tran, MD, PhD, Frank D. Vrionis MD, PhD, Allan Brook, MD, and Jack W. Jennings, MD, PhD

Article presented the reality of fast and lasting relief from painful metastatic lesions

Praveen study 1

Conclusions

The STAR Tumor Ablation System:

  • Was safely & effectively used in the treatment of metastatic spinal tumors
  • Allowed RFA treatment of previously untreatable lesions which resulted in reduction of pain that was not controlled with systemic or radiation therapy
  • In certain cases with posterior wall involvement, posterior extension of tumor was halted
  • Did not hinder or delay other therapies
  1. Anchala PR, Irving WD, Hillen TJ, Friedman MV, Georgy BA, Coldwell DM, Tran ND, Vrionis FD, Brook A, Jennings JW. Treatment of Metastatic Spinal Lesions with a Navigational Bipolar Radiofrequency Ablation Device: A Multicenter Retrospective Study. Pain Physician. 2014 sJul-Aug; 17(4): 317-27 PubMed: 25054391

Catheter Patency is Vital for Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease

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CentrosFLO long-term hemodialysis catheters

Catheter patency is vital for the delivery of hemodialysis and effective, long-term vascular access for patients with end-stage renal disease. Tunneled catheter thrombosis, as a result of venous thrombosis or the formation of fibrin sheaths, is a leading cause of catheter failure. Thrombosis can occur when the distal tip of the catheter comes in contact with the vessel wall, which can lead to vessel wall injury and fibrin sheath formation. The tip designs of many available long-term hemodialysis catheters on the market today allow for the tip of the catheter to come in contact with the vessel wall.

The CentrosFLO represents an innovative approach to the design of long-term hemodialysis catheters. The self-centering, curved-tip catheter has a greater separation between the arterial and venous tips compared to a symmetric-tip catheter. Its design is intended to optimize catheter patency, and to reduce fibrin sheath formation, thrombosis and vessel wall occlusions. This unique tip design keeps the tips of the catheter centered in the vessel and away from the vessel wall reducing vessel wall trauma.

An independent retrospective study1 conducted by a vascular access center showed 94.7% patency in the CentrosFLO catheter versus the competitor’s catheter, which had a patency rate of only 75% at 3 months. For more information about the CentrosFLO Long-Term Hemodialysis catheter, visit the CentrosFLO product web page.

  1 Balamuthusamy S. Self-centering, split-tip catheter has better patency than symmetric-tip tunneled hemodialysis catheter: single-center retrospective analysis. Semin Dial. 2014 Jan 20. Epub 2014 Jan 20

PreludeEASE™ Hydrophilic Sheath Introducer Receives CE Mark

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I’m pleased to announce that the PreludeEASE hydrophilic sheath introducer has received the CE mark and is now available for sale in Europe. The PreludeEASE hydrophilic sheath introducer has been designed with the performance you need to achieve radial access with ease.

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  • Hydrophilic coating can help reduce the incidence of arterial spasm during radial procedures.1
  • Coated to the tip of the sheath to facilitate easy insertion and removal.
  • Excellent transitions from dilator to wire and from sheath to dilator for smooth and easy insertion that can enhance patient comfort.
  • 4F-7F and 7, 11, 16, and 23 cm lengths for a variety of patient sizes and clinical needs.
  • Custom kit options
    • Merit Advance angiographic needle known for its sharpness and now with a bevel indicator
    • Spring coil, stainless steel, and nitinol mandrel guide wire options

PreludeEASE hydrophilic sheath introducers are a great complement to our growing line of products designed to support radial access procedures from start to finish.

To learn how you can achieve radial access with ease, contact a Merit Medical Sales Representative.

Stephanie Poulsen
Senior Product Manager

PreludeEASE is not 510(k) cleared for sale in the United States.