Gore DrySeal Sheath With Hydrophilic Coating Launched in Europe

January 23, 2013—Gore & Associates (Flagstaff, AZ) announced the European introduction of the Gore DrySeal sheath with hydrophilic coating. The company stated that the device allows for easier insertion into and removal from blood vessels during endovascular repair procedures. It is designed to increase sheath lubricity while minimizing particulation of the hydrophilic coating.

According to the company's press release, the device is comprised of the hemostatic DrySeal sheath valve attached to the introducer sheath. The valve is pressurized to create a seal, thereby minimizing blood loss and accommodating multiple wires and catheters simultaneously. The valve consists of a silicone outer tube and an inner film tube that create an effective hemostatic seal that easily adapts to the profiles of the inserted devices, stated Gore.

In the announcement, Thomas Larzon, MD, Head of Vascular Surgery in the Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at Örebro University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden, commented on the device. Dr. Larzon stated, “Adding hydrophilic coating to this Gore device provides physicians with more control when performing endovascular repair. This advantage greatly benefits patients, as it helps minimize unnecessary blood loss when inserting endovascular devices.”

Gore advised that it received CE Mark approval for the Gore DrySeal sheath in April 2010. The device is used in conjunction with the Gore Excluder AAA endoprosthesis to aid in the minimally invasive treatment of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms. It is also used with the conformable Gore TAG thoracic endoprosthesis in patients with isolated lesions of the descending thoracic aorta.