Argon Medical’s Scorpion Portal Vein Access Devices Launched in United States

November 2, 2021—Argon Medical Devices, Inc. announced the launch of two Scorpion portal vein access sets intended for transjugular liver access in diagnostic and interventional procedures. The devices are currently available in the United States.

According to Argon, the Scorpion portal vein access series includes the Scorpion and Scorpion X, which offer improved visualization, navigation control, and durability to augment existing procedural techniques. The Scorpion devices address the common challenges encountered when placing a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt or conducting other portal vein access procedures.

The Scorpion portal vein access series features directional handles to allow precise directional control when advancing through the liver. The Scorpion curve-in-curve system provides a 360º range of motion with the needle or stylet used to access the portal vein. Each curved component can work together or independently to accurately steer the device through the liver to the intended target, noted the company.

The Scorpion series was designed by Lowell Kahn, MD, a vascular and diagnostic interventional radiologist located in Springfield, Massachusetts, in conjunction with Hatch Medical, LLC. Scorpion is licensed by Argon Medical Devices from Hatch Medical.

Dr. Khan commented in the Argon press release, “Establishing access to the portal venous system is often the longest and most challenging part of many procedures. This is particularly true when the liver is diseased, making the anatomy irregular. I designed the Scorpion’s independently controlled dual curves to improve the physician’s ability to navigate through liver parenchyma and reduce the number of attempts necessary to establish access to the portal vein.”