Absorbable Metal Stent Program Wins Award

The EuroPCR 2007 Novelty Award has been awarded to Biotronik (Bülach, Switzerland) for its realization of the absorbable metal stent (AMS) program.

The magnesium-based AMS platform provides the necessary short-term scaffolding needed to support the vessel during the healing process after angioplasty and is then absorbed, avoiding the risks and negative effects of long-term mechanical stress, which is the biggest drawback of current permanent stent technologies. Furthermore, the need for re-intervention, both surgical and intravascular, is frequently needed in this patient population due to the nature of diffuse atherosclerotic disease--something that is hindered by the presence of a permanent metal stent in a vessel. The AMS technology provides a metal-free vessel for repeat interventions, should they be necessary.

"Biotronik has not only pioneered the concept of an absorbable stent, they have also brought the project through positive animal studies and two substantial clinical trials in coronary and peripheral vascular indications. This award is not only for the innovation that Biotronik has shown, but its commitment to furthering clinically meaningful research on this incredibly promising technology, and its focus on realizing this concept as a usable tool for physicians in the future,” said Dr. William Wijns, course director of EuroPCR (Toulouse, France), and president of the European Association for Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI).

"We are honored to receive this award from one of the best-regarded societies known in vascular intervention,” said Dr. Claus Martini, CEO of Biotronik. "Biotronik has made significant progress in recent years in terms of developing the latest evolutionary, and now revolutionary, solutions for improving patient outcomes and is focused especially on bringing this latest advance to the medical community.”


Related Links:
Biotronik
EuroPCR