Penumbra Launches Ace 68 Reperfusion Catheter for Stroke Thrombectomy

July 25, 2016—Penumbra, Inc. announced commercial availability of the Ace 68 reperfusion catheter, part of the fully integrated Penumbra system, in the United States. The Penumbra system with the Ace 68 reperfusion catheter is indicated for use in the revascularization of patients with acute ischemic stroke secondary to intracranial large vessel occlusive disease within 8 hours of symptom onset.

According to the company, the Penumbra system consists of large highly pliable and trackable reperfusion catheters that utilize the full aspiration power of the Penumbra Pump Max to remove the stroke-causing occlusion safely and effectively. The Penumbra system offers a complete suite of reperfusion catheters sized optimally for large vessel occlusions.

The Ace 68’s tracking technology delivers a large-bore reperfusion catheter easily and reliably through tortuosity that is typical in acute ischemic stroke patients, stated the company.

Penumbra announced the United States launch of the device at the Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery (SNIS) 13th Annual Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts. Blaise Baxter, MD, will present clinical experience with the Ace 68 during the Industry Technology Luncheon Symposium at the SNIS conference on July 25. Dr. Baxter is Chief of Radiology at Erlanger Hospital and Chairman of Radiology for the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

In the company’s announcement, Dr. Baxter commented, “The tracking technology of the Ace 68 reperfusion catheter is the most advanced. In my clinical experience with the Ace 68, I saw the device easily navigate difficult tortuosity that would have challenged other devices. Ace 68’s tracking performance, combined with a large aspiration lumen to enable efficient clot removal, make Ace 68 the most compelling frontline device in stroke intervention.”