Vascular Solutions Releases Flexible Tip Microcatheter

Vascular Solutions Inc. has released the SuperCross FT in the United States, a new addition to its SuperCross microcatheter line. The FT stands for “flexible tip,” and the catheter is designed to address the majority of complex interventional procedures in which a flexible tipped microcatheter is needed.

The SuperCross microcatheters consist of single lumen, over-the-wire microcatheters designed for guidewire support and exchange, as well as the infusion of contrast media or therapeutic agents in the coronary and peripheral vasculature, according to the company. The full-length braided stainless steel construction and low profile of the SuperCross microcatheters are meant to allow access to small and tortuous vessels and enhance the ability to cross plaque lesions.

“SuperCross FT is the latest offering in our popular line of microcatheters, and was engineered specifically in response to physician requests for a more flexible tip that provides superior deliverability over a guidewire in tortuous anatomy,” said Howard Root, CEO of Vascular Solutions.

Vascular Solutions’ original SuperCross microcatheter was launched in January 2011 with a straight tip that was designed for cases in which physicians needed extra support for the wire to advance past a challenging lesion. The next version introduced, SuperCross AT, features angled tip designs for directing guidewire placement in bifurcated lesions, and is offered in pre-set tip configurations of 45, 90 and 120 degree angles.

“With the addition of SuperCross FT, we now have a full line of microcatheter tip designs to meet a very broad spectrum of clinical needs,” Root added. “All of our SuperCross microcatheters provide excellent deliverability and guidewire support during coronary and peripheral catheterization procedures, but we view the new FT as the new workhorse version within this product line.”

Like the other models of SuperCross, the SuperCross FT is compatible with 0.014-inch guidewires, and is available in 130 cm and 150 cm working lengths. It also has a fully embedded gold distal marker band, a clear proximal catheter hub, two depth mark indicators to aid in determining position within the guide catheter, and a hydrophilic coating on the distal 40 cm to enhance deliverability to the target vessel.

Based in Minneapolis, Minn., Vascular Solutions Inc. provides devices for coronary and peripheral vascular procedures.