Biotronik’s Oscar Multifunctional Peripheral Catheter Begins Commercial Launch

June 5, 2023—Biotronik announced the limited release of its Oscar (“One Solution: Cross. Adjust. Restore”) multifunctional peripheral catheter, which is intended for dilation of stenotic segments in peripheral vessels.

Biotronik began the initial commercial rollout of the Oscar catheter in the United States and Europe in late April. The company will continue the commercial expansion of the device in the United States and markets that recognize CE Mark over the coming months. Biotronik announced FDA 510(k) clearance and CE Mark approval for the Oscar catheter in February 2023.

According to Biotronik, the Oscar multifunctional peripheral catheter is designed to provide support during access and to dilate stenoses in femoral, popliteal, and infrapopliteal arteries. It is comprised of three user-adjustable components: a support catheter with integrated Lock Grip, an extendable dilator, and a length-adjustable percutaneous transluminal angioplasty balloon.

The company announced the start of promotional activities at LINC, the Leipzig Interventional Course held June 6-9 in Leipzig, Germany.

At LINC, the Oscar system will be featured in a symposium with presentations from Koen Deloose, MD; Peter A. Schneider, MD; Ralf Langhoff, MD; and Mariano Palena, MD. The session, “Versatility Without Compromise: The PAD Workflow of the Future With a New All-in-One Solution,” will take place on Wednesday, June 7, at 12:30 PM in Main Arena 1, advised the company.

Dr. Schneider, who performed the first commercial procedure with an Oscar catheter in the United States, commented in Biotronik’s press release, “With the Oscar catheter, I have a platform, support, pushability, and crossability that I don’t have by cobbling together multiple other catheters and wires.” Dr. Schneider is Professor of Surgery, Division of Vascular & Endovascular Surgery at University of California, San Francisco.

Professor Christoph A. Binkert, MD, Chief of Interventional Radiology at Kantonsspital Winterthur in Winterthur, Switzerland, performed the first commercial procedure using an Oscar device in Europe.

Prof. Binkert stated in the company’s press release, “The Oscar catheter undoubtedly reduced several procedural steps and device exchanges. The ability to dilate the full lesion length followed by focal areas of residual stenosis with the same balloon was a great benefit to my procedural flow.”