Stealth Therapeutics announces first implantation of Invisiport device

Sep 27 2012

Stealth Therapeutics Inc. announced today that its Invisiport has been implanted in a patient for the first time.    

Rachel, an 18 year-old from northern California, recently received an Invisiport to help with the treatment of her dysmotility syndrome. Dysmotility syndrome affects a person's ability to digest certain foods requiring intravenous nutrition. Rachel is able to access her Invisiport two times per week on her own to provide the necessary intravenous nutrition required to treat her condition.

The Invisiport offers a microinvasive, patient-friendly alternative to traditional chest ports and peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs). It is intended to be used in patients suffering from diseases that require long-term intravenous treatment, such as cancer, cystic fibrosis, Lyme disease or infection.

Prior to receiving an Invisiport, Rachel received her nutrition through a PICC. After enduring seven different PICCs during a period of 18 months, Rachel and her family sought a better alternative to improve her quality of life.

"My Invisiport has allowed me to regain some of my freedom," Rachel said. "With a PICC, I had difficulty taking a shower. I couldn't be a lifeguard or teach swimming lessons as I had done in the past. In fact, I couldn't go swimming at all. I was constantly worried about getting an infection because the PICC was an open wound in my arm. Ultimately, I did have one infection related to my PICC.

"My PICC also was an obvious neon sign that there was something wrong with me, requiring me to explain my condition to others. My Invisiport is so small that you can hardly tell that I have it. I can wear normal clothes and participate in more activities. I am leaving home for college in the fall and the Invisiport is going to allow me to blend in with all of my classmates," said Rachel.

"Meeting Rachel, learning about her struggles and having her tell our team that her Invisiport has allowed her to regain some of her freedom was extremely gratifying for all of us. We are excited about the prospects of helping other patients with our Invisiport product," said Peter Drumm, Stealth Therapeutics' CEO.