Vascular Solutions Launches R-Band Radial Hemostasis Device

October 22, 2012—Vascular Solutions, Inc. (Minneapolis, MN) announced that it has launched the R-Band radial hemostasis compression device in the United States. Vascular Solutions is the exclusive distributor of the R-Band device in the United States under an agreement entered into with Lepu Medical Technology Co., Ltd. (Beijing, China), the developer and manufacturer of the device. Vascular Solutions is introducing the device, which has received US Food and Drug Administration 510(k) clearance, at the TCT 2012: Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics conference being held in Miami, Florida on October 23–26.

According to Vascular Solutions' announcement, the R-Band is a radial compression device for achieving hemostasis after transradial diagnostic and interventional catheterization procedures. The device consists of a soft plastic wrist strap with adjustable hook and loop fasteners, two inflatable compression balloons, and an inflation syringe with a unique connector tip. The device is strapped to the patient's wrist, and the physician inflates the compression balloons to apply gentle pressure to the puncture site of the radial artery, while maintaining flow through the ulnar artery. The strap and balloons are clear, to allow the access site to be seen during the entire process, the company stated.