Penumbra Launches Newest Stroke Thrombectomy Technology ACE68 Reperfusion Catheter

Penumbra Inc., a global interventional therapies company, today announced U.S. commercial availability of its most advanced thrombectomy device, the ACE68 Reperfusion catheter, part of the fully integrated Penumbra System.
 
The ACE68 Reperfusion catheter leverages the latest advancements in tracking technology to deliver maximum aspiration power easily and safely for extracting thrombus in acute ischemic stroke patients.
 
“The tracking technology of the ACE68 Reperfusion Catheter is the most advanced,” said Blaise Baxter, M.D., chief of radiology at Erlanger Hospital in Tennessee, and chairman of radiology for the University of Tennessee College of Medicine Chattanooga. “In my clinical experience with the ACE68, I saw the device easily navigate difficult tortuosity that would have challenged other devices. ACE68’s tracking performance, combined with a large aspiration lumen to enable efficient clot removal, make ACE68 the most compelling frontline device in stroke intervention.”
 
The ACE68 Reperfusion Catheter was engineered on a new tracking platform from hub to tip. Featuring a unique coil winding geometry along 16 transitions to create the optimal tracking profile, ACE68 is designed to ensure easy tracking through tortuosity that is typical in acute ischemic stroke patients. ACE68 is powered to extract clot en masse quickly and effectively as part of the fully integrated Penumbra System.
 
“With the ACE68 Reperfusion Catheter, I can easily deliver full aspiration power to the occlusion,” said Johanna Fifi, M.D., assistant professor of neurology, neurosurgery and radiology at The Mount Sinai Hospital and director of the Endovascular Stroke Program at the Mount Sinai Health System in New York. “The ACE68’s large lumen increases the likelihood of capturing the clot fully within the catheter or the canister, potentially reducing the number of passes to achieve complete revascularization and minimize ENT (embolization to new territory).”
 
“The ACE68 provides an opportunity to reverse strokes faster and with less expense,” said Adam Arthur, M.D., M.P.H., FACS, professor, Department of Neurosurgery, UTHSC, Semmes-Murphey Neurologic & Spine Institute. “The larger lumen seems to allow better clot capture, which may reduce the need for adjunctive devices, simplify the procedure and reduce procedure cost—important considerations as hospitals look to expand stroke services.”
 
The ACE68 represents the latest advances in tracking technology to deliver a large bore reperfusion catheter easily and reliably through tortuosity that is typical in acute ischemic stroke patients.
 
“We designed the ACE68 with the intent to make real improvement on stroke procedure time, outcome and cost. The early reports from physicians on the performance of ACE68 confirm that this is the most impactful stroke product we have ever developed,” said Adam Elsesser, chairman and CEO of Penumbra.
 
The Penumbra System with the ACE68 Reperfusion catheter is indicated for use in the revascularization of patients with acute ischemic stroke secondary to intracranial large vessel occlusive disease within eight hours of symptom onset. The Penumbra System consists of large, highly pliable and trackable Reperfusion catheters that utilize the full aspiration power of the Penumbra Pump MAX within an integrated, proprietary system to remove the stroke-causing occlusion safely and effectively. The Penumbra System offers a complete suite of reperfusion catheters sized optimally for large vessel occlusions.
 
The Penumbra System with the ACE68 Reperfusion catheter is now available in the United States.
 
Headquartered in Alameda, Calif., Penumbra designs, develops, manufactures, and markets medical devices. The company has a broad portfolio of products that address challenging medical conditions and significant clinical needs across two major markets, neuro and peripheral vascular. Penumbra sells its products to hospitals primarily through its direct sales organization in the United States, most of Europe, Canada and Australia, and through distributors in select international markets. Penumbra and the Penumbra logo are trademarks of Penumbra Inc.