Medtronic's defender embolism prevention device:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
Medtronic has CE marked its Defender embolic protection filter for sale in Europe. The technology is now launched in Europe for use during minimally-invasive procedures in carotid arteries, such as the implantation of stents, and saphenous vein grafts. The filter has already been used in procedures conducted by interventional cardiologists and vascular surgeons in Germany and Spain, the Minneapolis, Minnesota firm said. Made of braided Nitinol, the Defender has a peel-away delivery sheath that enables physicians to manoeuvre the device easily across lesions to the desired location. When opened, the filter acts as a basket, allowing blood flow while trapping embolic debris that may become dislodged during the stenting procedure. The Defender filter is not on sale in the US.