NeuroVasx Announces First Case Of CPAX Aneurysm Treatment System In Spain

Main Category: Stroke
Also Included In: Medical Devices / Diagnostics
Article Date: 29 Oct 2009 - 2:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

NeuroVasx, Inc., a medical device company that develops technologies for the treatment of hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke, announced that the first procedure in Spain utilizing its cPAX Aneurysm Treatment System was performed in Madrid. cPAX received CE Mark earlier this year.

Dr. Alfredo Casasco, Interventional Neuroradiology, Department of Endovascular and Percutaneous Treatment, Clinica Nuestra Senora del Rosario, used 143cm of cPAX in combination with platinum coils to treat an unruptured aneurysm over 13mm in diameter.

"According to the AngioCalc aneurysm volume calculator, greater than 40% packing density was achieved with cPAX alone, which we see as a great result," said Kathryn Meintsma, Vice President of Marketing, NeuroVasx. "Studies have indicated that aneurysms packed greater than 24% have a lower incidence of recanalization."(1,2)

"We are very pleased with the outcome of the first procedure in Spain, which demonstrates the sophisticated filling capabilities of cPAX in large aneurysms," said Eric B. Timko, President and Chief Executive Officer, NeuroVasx. "cPAX was designed to simplify delivery, shorten procedure time and improve outcomes, and the product's polymer characteristics make it ideally suited to take on the shape of large aneurysms and attain maximized packing density. This case marks a significant milestone in our entry into the European market and we look forward to continuing to introduce cPAX throughout the EU."

The cPAX System is a minimally invasive device for the embolization of cerebral aneurysms, abnormal bulges or sacs in the wall of an artery in the brain. If ruptured, aneurysms can result in massive intracranial bleeding and often lead to death. cPAX is a polymer strand delivered through a microcatheter using the same delivery technique as the currently used platinum coil technology. cPAX was designed to achieve more complete filling of the aneurysm using fewer devices and provide the physician the ability to detach the device at any point versus the fixed detachment zone common to platinum coils. The polymeric material also allows for non-invasive CT and MRI scans free of metallic artifact for a more accurate patient follow-up assessment.

1. Tamatani S, Ito Y, Abe H, et al: Evaluation of the stability of aneurysms after embolization using detachable coils: Correlation between stability of aneurysms and embolized volume of aneurysms. AJNR May 2002, 23:762-767.

2. Sluzewski M, Willem JvR, Slob MJ, et al: Relation between aneurysm volume, packing, and compaction in 145 cerebral aneurysms treated with coils. Radiology 2004; 231:653-658.

About Cerebral Aneurysms

A cerebral aneurysm is an abnormal bulge or sac in the wall of an artery in the brain which can be caused by a number of factors including congenital defects, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, cancer, drug use or head trauma. If a cerebral aneurysm ruptures, it can lead to a hemorrhagic stroke, or bleeding on the brain. According to National Institutes of Health, approximately 40% of these patients do not survive the first 24 hours. The worldwide incidence of cerebral aneurysms is estimated to be 320,000 annually, approximately 200,000 of which may be treatable with intracranial surgery or minimally invasive techniques.

About NeuroVasx, Inc.

NeuroVasx, Inc. is a privately held medical device company located in Maple Grove, MN. The company is dedicated to the development and commercialization of technologies for the minimally invasive treatment of hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke. The worldwide market potential for stroke treatment devices is estimated to be over $3 billion.

Source: NeuroVasx, Inc