Cordis to distribute OSTIAL PRO Stent Positioning System worldwide

Cordis Corporation has entered into a distribution agreement with Ostial Solutions for the worldwide distribution of the OSTIAL PRO Stent Positioning System™. The OSTIAL PRO™ is the world's first and only aorto-ostial stent positioning system for coronary and peripheral applications. The OSTIAL PRO™ is intended to optimize the treatment of patients who require a stent implantation for treatment for aorto-ostial blockages.

“Ostial Pro is a simple solution to a principal challenge of aorto-ostial stent positioning by providing visual and tactile identification of the true ostium”

Aorto-ostial blockages occur at the origin of blood vessels arising from the aorta. This occurs in the right and left main coronary (heart) arteries, in coronary bypass grafts and in the renal (kidney) arteries. These aorto-ostial blockages comprise approximately 95% of all renal stent interventions and 8% of coronary stent interventions. The worldwide market for aorto-ostial stent procedures is estimated to be approximately 300,000 cases per year.

It is critical for the end of the stent to be positioned so as to align precisely with the origin of the blood vessel in these cases. Using two-dimensional x-ray imaging and angiography to accomplish this is challenging, time consuming, and can lead to increased cost and length of procedures, as well as increased exposure of patients to radiation and x-ray dye. Imprecise positioning of aorto-ostial stents often requires the use of additional stents to treat the lesion, and may increase risks of renarrowing, or hinder the re-entrance to the blood vessel should future intervention be needed.

"Ostial Pro is a simple solution to a principal challenge of aorto-ostial stent positioning by providing visual and tactile identification of the true ostium," said Campbell Rogers, MD Chief Scientific Officer and Global Head Research and Development, Cordis Corporation. "The Ostial Pro facilitates precise stent implantation of aorto-ostial stents by identifying the true ostium. This can help make precise stent placement easier, safer, and more predictable. This technology may reduce the need for additional stents and may reduce the risk of having to perform another intervention for restenosis. Based on these benefits, this simple device should become a standard element of aorto-ostial stenting."

The OSTIAL PRO™ is FDA cleared, and is currently being sold only in the United States by Ostial Solutions. Cordis plans to assume worldwide distribution of the OSTIAL PRO™ in the first half of 2011.

SOURCE Cordis Corporation