Vention Launches Online Tool for Custom Balloon Catheters

Vention Medical has introduced an online tool that allows customers to design balloon catheter prototypes built to their specifications. The new Modcath online design tool allows users to select from a full range of modular features to design complete balloon catheters, reportedly delivered faster and cheaper than via traditional methods.

Modcath is hoped to accelerate the research and development process and early stage evaluation of prototypes for proof of concept, dramatically reducing development costs, shrinking project timelines and ultimately, speeding time to market.

“In the past, engineers had to either cobble together components in the lab, or wait months to get a costly, custom-built catheter,” said Mark Saab, president of Vention’s advanced polymers business unit. “Now, they have a faster, easier way to test prototypes and speed time to proof of concept.”

Modcath eliminates the need to invest in custom balloons and extrusions in the early stages of a design project. The catheters can be made on extremely small volume. Vention claims that customers can order as few as 10 catheters per design.

The online tool allows customers to select the balloon diameter and balloon working length in millimeters. Once selected, the customer can then select either nylon or PET (polyethylene terephthalate) as the material. The tool then advises which guidewire size is compatible with the customer’s selection, and provides an estimate of how long the order will take to deliver. Certain standard sizes can be delivered in two weeks, but most balloons will take between four to six weeks to deliver.

Vention also offers semi-custom and custom balloon catheter programs.

Modcath prototypes are designed for use in research and development of balloon catheters for coronary and peripheral angioplasty, stent delivery and other dilatation procedures.

Vention Medical’s Advanced Components division is based in Salem, N.H. The company’s locations throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and Costa Rica provide design and manufacturing services for medical devices.