ABBOTT PARK, Ill., May 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Abbott today announced
the launch of the StarClose(R) SE Vascular Closure System, a next-generation
vessel closure device engineered to enable fast, safe and secure closure of
the femoral artery access site following a catheterization procedure.
StarClose SE is available in the United States and Europe.
StarClose SE, which stands for "Safe and Extravascular," builds upon the
premium design of its predecessor, StarClose, with more ergonomically-friendly
design features. StarClose SE advancements include:
"With a more ergonomic stabilizer and simpler, numbered-step deployment,
StarClose SE offers users the ability to close an artery in a fast, safe and
effective manner following a catheterization procedure," said David Lee, M.D.,
assistant professor of Medicine and director of Cardiac Catheterization and
Coronary Intervention Laboratories at the Stanford School of Medicine. "With
its definitive mechanical closure, StarClose SE enables an operator to confirm
a reliable closure immediately, which offers important benefits for physicians
and patients in reducing patient time to mobility following these procedures."
StarClose SE utilizes the same nitinol (nickel and titanium) clip
technology as StarClose to close the femoral artery access site after a
catheterization procedure. When deployed, the small nitinol clip grasps the
tissue on top of the artery around the access site in a purse-string fashion
and closes the opening in the femoral artery rapidly and securely with minimal
affect to the lumen diameter or the blood flow inside the vessel.
"We are pleased to introduce StarClose SE to advance the secure closure of
the vascular access site following catheterization procedures," said Charles
Simonton, M.D., FACC, FSCAI, divisional vice president, Medical Affairs and
chief medical officer, Abbott Vascular. "StarClose SE was carefully designed
to preserve the safety, reliability and extravascular closure of our
first-generation technology, while providing enhanced ease of use for
physicians."
For important safety information about StarClose SE, as well as additional
information about this product, please refer to Abbott's Web site.
About Catheterization
Catheterization is a procedure commonly used to evaluate or treat certain
types of disease in vessels of the heart and other parts of the body. The
procedure involves the insertion of a flexible tube, called a catheter, into
the femoral artery in the leg. The physician will use the catheter to observe
the condition of the coronary or peripheral blood vessels or to treat
blockages in the vessels. Following the procedure, the physician will remove
the catheter and close the femoral artery access site.
Over the years, a variety of methods, such as direct pressure (manual
compression), sandbags and mechanical clamps, have been used to close the
puncture site and achieve hemostasis (cessation of bleeding). Many of these
methods have proved less than satisfactory, causing patients significant
discomfort and requiring up to several hours of bedrest.
About Abbott Vascular
Abbott Vascular, a division of Abbott, is one of the world's leading
vascular care businesses. Abbott Vascular is uniquely focused on advancing
the treatment of vascular disease and improving patient care by combining the
latest medical device innovations with world-class pharmaceuticals, investing
in research and development, and advancing medicine through training and
education. Headquartered in Northern California, Abbott Vascular offers a
comprehensive portfolio of vessel closure, endovascular and coronary products
that are recognized internationally for their safety and effectiveness in
treating patients with vascular disease.
About Abbott
Abbott is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the
discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and
medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. The
company employs more than 68,000 people and markets its products in more than
130 countries.
Abbott's news releases and other information are available on the
company's Web site at http://www.abbott.com.
SOURCE Abbott
