Spectranetics Launches Tapas Catheter

October 8, 2012—Spectranetics Corporation (Colorado Springs, CO) announced the United States market launch of the Tapas catheter. Tapas is manufactured by Thermopeutix, Inc. (San Diego, CA) and distributed by Spectranetics.

According to Spectranetics, the Tapas catheter is a drug infusion system that uses a single adjustable and repositionable catheter to deliver any physician-specified drug or diagnostic agent. The device features a dual-occlusion balloon design that allows for precise targeting of the treatment area, delivery and dwell time of the drug, and aspiration to minimize systemic effects.

Interventional cardiologist Rich Kovach, MD, of the Deborah Heart and Lung Center, commented on the device in the company's press release.

“I have found the Tapas catheter to be very easy to use and the versatility is quite appealing,” stated Dr. Kovach. “The adjustability of the device allows lesions from 15 mm to 300 mm to be treated with one device, and it can be used to treat multiple lesions within a single vessel.”

Dr. Kovach added, “The device also allows the physician to choose the agent that would best serve the patient's clinical presentation. Using a device with such versatility also provides potential for significant economic benefit over other technologies, which can only be used once in the same patient, and need to be stocked in multiple sizes.”

In its press release, Spectranetics noted that the Tapas catheter can be used in conjunction with its laser atherectomy or other interventional devices. Clinical studies are currently underway to investigate whether debulking with laser or other atherectomy devices prior to drug delivery improves patient outcomes, advised the company.