AngioDynamics (NASDAQ:ANGO) announced today the U.S. launch and initial shipments of the next generation DuraMax® stepped-tip chronic dialysis catheter and the DuraMaxVP (VascPak™) kit.
The DuraMax catheter provides optimal ease of insertion and high performance blood flow rates. It features a proprietary guidewire lumen designed to significantly improve catheter placement by securely fixing the guidewire in the center of the leading edge of the catheter at the insertion site.
"Approximately 30-50% of chronic dialysis catheters are placed over a guidewire, and DuraMax offers a significant improvement in ease of catheter placement," said Shawn McCarthy, Senior Vice President and General Manager for AngioDynamics. "The DuraMax chronic dialysis catheter employs AngioDynamics' highly innovative and proprietary Curved Tip™ Catheter Technology, which is designed to improve patient outcomes by providing higher blood flow over a longer timeframe at lower recirculation rates, even if the catheter becomes positioned against a vessel wall."
The new DuraMaxVP (VascPak) product offers a streamlined component kit designed to appeal to vascular access centers and open this new segment for AngioDynamics. Up to 45% of all chronic dialysis catheter placements - more than 180,000 placements in 2011 - are performed in these outpatient centers.