Innovative Filter Prevents Pulmonary Embolism

A pioneering inferior vena cava (IVC) filter provides prophylaxis against pulmonary embolism (PE) in critically ill patients.

The Angel Catheter is a Nickel-Titanium (Nitinol) IVC filter that is intended to be used during the critical time period in which anticoagulation therapy poses a high risk of complications, including major bleeding and death, and in which patients are at highest risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). The filter is permanently attached to a multilumen central venous catheter (CVC). The resulting combination device allows attending physicians to place an IVC filter in a simple bedside procedure in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) itself, in a procedure resembling a routine CVC placement.


Following insertion, the catheter can be used for administering medications, fluids, or blood products; blood sampling; and monitoring of central venous pressure (CVP). The filter can be easily removed when the central line is removed, once the danger of VTE has been resolved. The Angel Catheter is a product of BiO2 Medical (San Antonio, TX, USA), and has received the European Community (CE) mark of approval.

“Obtaining the CE clearance for commercialization of the Angel Catheter in Europe is a significant step in our goal to provide an alternative for critically ill patients at high risk of pulmonary embolism,” said Luis F. Angel, MD, chief medical officer of BiO2 Medical, and inventor of the Angel Catheter. “It also validates a long and complex process of extensive testing for the use of our device as a prophylaxis against PE.”

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