Article preview from Medtech Insight - June, 2009
The International Stroke Conference, held in San Diego in February 2009, presented several device-based therapies and approaches that could offer improved outcomes for patients that suffer an acute ischemic stroke. The technologies discussed included mechanical thrombectomy devices, laser treatments, and combined therapy using ultrasound, microspheres, and thrombolytic drugs. Read on...
Stroke Devices: Facing Challenges Head On
Article preview from Medtech Insight - June, 2009
For device developers, the market for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) has been enticing as the lack of effective treatment options coupled with the huge unmet clinical need and growing patient population seems to be a good target for technological innovation. However, developing an effective treatment for AIS is not an easy task, and many companies have found the road forward to be a bumpy one. Brain cells begin to die of oxygen deprivation within three to four minutes of AIS onset and treatment options are limited by how quickly patients seek help. Saving brain tissue is particularly challenging beyond the narrow time window for safe and effective systemic treatment with the thrombolytic drug tissue plasminogen activator (tPA).
Although there have been pharmacological and technical advances in the prevention and treatment of stroke over the last decade, most advances have been modest and have not yet made a significant impact on patient outcomes. Yet in spite of the difficulties, researchers and device manufacturers continue to face the challenge of stroke head on. At this year's International Stroke Conference (ISC), held in San Diego in February, several device-based therapies and approaches were discussed that could offer improved outcomes for patients that suffer an AIS, including mechanical thrombectomy devices, laser treatments, and combined therapy using ultrasound, microspheres, and thrombolytic drugs.
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Companies mentioned in this article:
Abbott Laboratories Inc., Balt Extrusion, Biocompatibles International PLC, Boehringer Ingelheim GMBH, Boston Scientific Corp., BrainsGate Ltd., Cleveland Clinic, CoAxia Inc., Concentric Medical Inc., Ekos Corp., Genesis Medical Interventional Inc., ImaRx Therapeutics Inc., Johnson & Johnson, Cordis Corp., Microbix Biosystems Inc., Micrus Endovascular Corp., National Institutes of Health, PhotoThera Inc., ReVasc Technologies Inc., Roche, Genentech Inc., ev3 Inc.
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