AngioDynamics (NASDAQ:ANGO) announced today the global expansion of its Smart Port CT family of power-injectable ports, featuring its patented Vortex® port technology - to include low-profile and mini models for repeated treatments such as chemotherapy and for use with computed tomography (CT).
“With a vascular access device featuring Vortex port technology in situ, patients do not have to worry about flushing the catheters on a daily basis or worry about tubes dangling on their chests; there is no dressing to change or lines to flush.”
Ports are small medical devices implanted under the skin that provide physicians repeated access to blood vessels for administering treatments with less vessel or site damage.
"These port models offer increased placement options for specialized anatomies such as smaller patients," said Shawn McCarthy, General Manager. "By offering mini and low-profile designs, we are meeting an increased demand from patients for more aesthetically-acceptable access devices."
Both of the new Smart Port CT models feature AngioDynamics' market-leading titanium port technology and the unique, patented Vortex port technology that allows for superior fluid dynamics to help prevent dead spaces and the formation of sludge, thus extending the working life of the port. These new models are indicated for power injection of contrast media with a flow rate of 5mL/sec.
In a clinical trial comparing the Smart Port's Vortex port technology to conventional ports, Vortex port technology had a nearly 75% reduction in the occlusion rate as compared to conventional ports. Third party analysis found that on average a system with Vortex port technology can save $1,224 per patient over the life of the port.
"Vortex port technology has improved the quality of life in our patients," said Jenni Anderson RN, HP (ASCP), and a Clinical Coordinator with the VCU Health System in Richmond, Va. "With a vascular access device featuring Vortex port technology in situ, patients do not have to worry about flushing the catheters on a daily basis or worry about tubes dangling on their chests; there is no dressing to change or lines to flush.
"One patient who switched to a port featuring Vortex port technology was able to go to the beach and surf last summer," she added. "Certainly without any doubt this patient's quality of life was much improved."
The Smart Port CT Mini power-injectable port is designed to be the smallest profile power-injectable port on the market while also having the largest septum diameter of any power-injectable peripheral port. These qualities make it ideal for chest or peripheral placement.
The new Smart Port CT Low-Profile power-injectable port, which features a large septum for a greater target area and is designed with a low-profile 6.6 French diameter catheter to reduce the risk of thrombosis, the formation of a blood clot within a blood vessel. It offers balance between profile, septum size and port base for stability and preventing the occurrence of a port "flipping."
The Smart Port low-profile and mini models are cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and have received CE Mark approval in Europe for any patient requiring repeated access of the vasculature system, for delivery of medications, nutritional supplementation, fluids, blood, blood products, sampling of blood and power injection of contrast media for imaging. When used with non Y site LifeGuard Safety Infusion sets in 20Ga or 19Ga size, the Smart Port CT Access System is indicated for power injection of contrast media with a maximum recommended infusion rate of 5 ml/sec.
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