Innovative Atherectomy Catheter Clears Peripheral Arteries

A new peripheral atherectomy catheter has been specifically designed for breaking apart and removing thrombi from the upper and lower extremity peripheral arteries.

The Jetstream G2 is capable of treating the entire spectrum of disease found in patients suffering from peripheral artery disease (PAD), including hard and soft plaque, calcium, fibrotic lesions, and thrombus, delivering a minimally invasive treatment option with consistent results, faster recovery, and decreased systemic complications. The device consists of a sterile, single-use catheter and control pod and a reusable, compact console that mounts to a standard intravenous (IV) stand. The catheter has an expandable cutting tip and a highly efficient aspiration port located just proximal to the cutting blades, which continually removes excised tissue and thrombus from the treatment site to a collection bag, located on the console. A fully recessed masticating system within the aspiration port helps break aspirated material into smaller pieces before removal. The distal portion of the catheter also possesses ports that provide continuous infusion of sterile saline during the atherectomy procedure. An active aspiration safety feature minimizes the risk of distal embolization. The Jetstream G2 is a product of Pathway Medical Technologies (Kirkland, WA, USA), and has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).


"The new thrombectomy indication for Jetstream G2 helps us deliver on our commitment to meet the needs of PAD sufferers with innovative technology and continually bring value to our physician customers across the country," said Paul Buckman, president and CEO of Pathway Medical Technologies. "In just the first six months on the market, Jetstream has been used to treat more than 600 patients at more than 100 centers."

PAD causes a build-up of plaque within the arteries that limits blood flow to the extremities, and is commonly associated with high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and aging. PAD can lead to severe limb pain, non-healing ulcers, and critical limb ischemia and, if left untreated, can lead to gangrene, amputation, and even death. The most common intervention for PAD has historically included highly-invasive procedures, including bypass surgery; unfortunately, many patients are poor surgical candidates for whom surgery can be life threatening, and atherectomy can provide an effective, minimally invasive intervention option.

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