Covidien Launches Viance Crossing Catheter and Enteer Re-entry System to Treat CTOs

September 17, 2012—Covidien (Mansfield, MA) announced the launch of the Viance crossing catheter and Enteer re-entry system for the endovascular treatment of chronic total occlusions (CTOs). The devices are now available in the United States, the European Union, and other select international markets. The company made the announcement at CIRSE 2012, the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe's annual congress, in Lisbon, Portugal.

According to Covidien, the Viance and Enteer devices are designed to enable access to the distal end of a lesion, allowing treatment of the most challenging CTO lesions. The devices utilize the skill and finesse of the interventionist rather than relying on aggressive cutting, grinding, or pounding motions that are required with other devices, which can also be more difficult to control. Additionally, the distinctive shape of the re-entry balloon enables it to self-orient within the vessel.

David B. Jessup, MD, of PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham, Washington, commented on the potential of the Viance and Enteer devices to change the CTO treatment paradigm. “Management of the lower extremity CTO remains challenging for endovascular physicians,” said Dr. Jessup. “Effective devices for CTO crossing and re-entry can expand the number of patients who have access to endovascular treatment of peripheral arterial disease, which may help patients avoid more invasive treatments and allow physicians to offer amputation-saving procedures.”