TrailBlazer Support Catheter
ev3 Inc. (Plymouth, MN) recently announced clearance and release of the TrailBlazer support catheter. TrailBlazer is specially designed to optimize pushability, crossability, and visibility, the company stated. The unique, coextruded catheter design incorporates a robust outer catheter for increased pushability and a lubricious inner catheter for smooth guidewire movement. A tapered, low-profile tip provides an ultra-smooth transition to the wire and 40 cm of hydrophilic coating at the distal end of the catheter enable ease of crossing. Three 1.5-mm embedded marker bands provide a seamless catheter designed for visibility. The TrailBlazer support catheter is intended to guide and support a guidewire during access of the vasculature, allow for wire exchanges, and provide a conduit for the delivery of saline solutions or diagnostic contrast agents.

Micro-Introducer Kits
AngioDynamics (Queensbury, NY) recently announced the availability of a new family of micro-introducer kits, featuring a new stiffened introducer option, in a broad range of configurations.

The new kits include a needle, micro-introducer, and 0.018-inch guidewire. They feature stiffened and standard introducer options with various needle configurations, including super-sharp needles and echogenic tip options. The guidewire has a range of configurations, including stainless steel, nitinol, and tungsten. Tungsten-coiled tips allow for enhanced radiopacity, while the nitinol wire helps resist against kinking, the company stated.

The micro-introducer kits are available in 4- and 5-F sizes, in both standard and stiffened configurations, which facilitate smooth entry into difficult vessels. All feature a quarter-twist cam connection, which verifies a secure lock, and seamless dilator-to-sheath transitions.