Cordis Launches Saber PTA Dilatation Catheter

July 1, 2014—Cordis Corporation announced the launch of its Saber percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) dilatation catheter for the treatment of patients with peripheral arterial disease. The Saber catheter is now cleared for use and available in Europe, the United States, and Japan.

As part of the Cordis PTA portfolio, this next-generation, high-performance workhorse 0.018-inch PTA balloon catheter is intended to dilate stenoses in iliac, femoral, iliofemoral, popliteal, infrapopliteal, and renal arteries. It is also indicated for the treatment of obstructive lesions of native or synthetic arteriovenous dialysis fistulae and for postdilation of balloon-expandable and self-expanding stents in the peripheral vasculature.

According to the company, the Saber catheter is designed to provide outstanding crossability with a comprehensive selection of balloon sizes on its 0.018-inch over-the-wire platform. The device is available in balloon diameters of 2 to 10 mm and lengths of 20 to 300 mm. Saber combines a durable dual-layer hydrophilic coating with a low-profile body and new molded tip design to enhance crossability. Constructed with Duralyn material, the catheter has rated burst pressures of up to 18 atm.

In the company’s press release, Peter Goverde, MD, of ZNA Antwerpen in Brussels, Belgium, commented, “In my initial experience with Saber catheter, I see outstanding crossability in very tight lesions as well as excellent deflation times. Given these performance characteristics combined with the size offering that Saber catheter provides, I see the value in adopting this as the preferred 0.018-inch workhorse balloon in my practice.”