Front Line’s COBRA-OS for REBOA Procedures Launched in United Kingdom

January 23, 2025—Front Line Medical Technologies announced the launch in the United Kingdom of its CE Mark–approved COBRA-OS—Control of Bleeding, Resuscitation, Arterial Occlusion System—an ultra-low-profile (4-F) aortic occlusion device designed to rapidly control critical bleeding.

The COBRA-OS is intended for use in resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) procedures. It is designed to temporarily occlude the aorta, providing time until definitive care can be provided, stated the company.

Front Line advised that it has partnered with Mermaid Medical to distribute of the COBRA-OS in the United Kingdom. This collaboration extends beyond the United Kingdom to include the Nordic countries, leveraging Mermaid Medical’s experience in vascular and interventional products to ensure comprehensive support for healthcare professionals, noted the company.

As stated in the press release, the COBRA-OS received approval for sale in the United Kingdom based on its CE Mark under the European Medical Device Regulations as a Class III medical device, which was announced in April 2024.

The company noted that the United Kingdom pioneered prehospital REBOA implementation, beginning in 2018 when London’s Air Ambulance performed the world's first procedure, demonstrating the potential for the life-saving intervention beyond hospital walls. Recent developments in REBOA in the United Kingdom, including a significant multicenter clinical trial in 2023, have renewed discussions about optimal approaches to aortic occlusion in trauma care.

According to Front Line, key features of the device include a compact design with its 4-F size that minimizes procedural risks and improves accessibility; enhanced precision that offers partial REBOA capability, enabling tailored control of blood flow for complex trauma scenarios; and an all-in-one system with a 10-mL syringe and mini-access kit for ease of use in high-pressure environments.