Naz News, Gappers and FLE's

[mcmike]

VOLC recent news

Volcano Announces FDA 510(k) Clearance Of Revolution Rotational Catheter And FFR For The s5i Integrated IVUS Console
2/19/2008

"Joe Burnett, associate vice president of marketing for Volcano, said, "The past three years of engineering work have culminated in the launch of this product, and underline the concept of choice in the cardiac cath lab. The new s5 integrated product will appeal and offer choice to two distinct customer groups; First, for cath lab administrators who are trying to accommodate different physician preferences and practice patterns the Volcano s5 platform now offers all three primary technologies on one platform. As a result, cath lab managers can ensure their individual physician preferences are met with one system. Second, the Volcano system will appeal to physicians themselves, as they will now have three powerful diagnostic tools on one platform, all at-the-ready for their patients. If a physician wants a high resolution IVUS image to measure plaque burden, they can select a Revolution IVUS catheter. If they want a fast, simple IVUS image to assess stent placement, they can quickly plug in an Eagle Eye Gold IVUS catheter. If they want to objectively measure lesion severity prior to committing to a therapeutic strategy, they can use a Volcano FFR guidewire. The ability to choose any or all of these technologies, and quickly implement them should the need arise, is a powerful message that has resonated well with our customers."

Housing three diverse diagnostic tools on the same console not only increases access to the technology but streamlines and simplifies staff training, as all three tools are run through the same, consistent user interface.

Craig A. Thompson, MD, MMSc and the Director of the Cardiovascular Catheterization Laboratory at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center commented, "As a major teaching institution for Interventional Cardiologists, it is our responsibility to ensure every trainee is versed in the full line of diagnostic modalities available to improve patient care. The Volcano system will allow us to improve exposure to various IVUS and FFR applications through a common interface, which will enrich our training programs and the acumen of our fellows moving forward."

http://www.medicaldesignonline.com/content/news/article.asp?docid=%7BF73C540D-DC5E-4035-B840-0427C56B95E7%7D

I think I will familiarize myself more with these various diagnostic methods:
high frequency rotational IVUS
fast and simple digital IVUS
pressure-based FFR guidewires