New Penumbra 3D device may effectively treat stroke

At last week's ABC-WIN Seminar, Prof. Dr. Michael Knauth, Director of Neuroradiology, University Hospital of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany, and President-elect of the German Society of Neuroradiology, presented the European evaluation data on Separator 3D, a next-generation clot engagement device that works in conjunction with aspiration at the site of the lesion causing an acute ischemic stroke to remove the clot and restore blood flow to affected brain tissue.

"Our evaluation cases at six European centers, the first cases in the world performed with this new device, show an approximately 90% recanalization success. The device also demonstrated that it was easy to navigate and deliver to the site of occlusion, even in very tortuous anatomy. The geometry of this new device may prove to better secure the full length of the clot while aspiration removes the clot from the patient's affected vessel. Further experience and follow-up is required to confirm preliminary, promising results," remarked Dr. Knauth.

"We have performed quite a few cases at our center with the new Penumbra 3D device," said Prof. Dr. Olav Jansen, Director of the Institute of Neuroradiology, University Hospital Kiel, Kiel, Germany and President of the German Society of Neuroradiology. "I was impressed in particular with the smoothness of delivery and resheathing of the device into the microcatheter. We have had success in a wide variety of anatomical situations already, including long clots, focal clots, and clots at difficult bifurcations. The 3D is really a substantial advancement in the technology we have available to us to treat this difficult condition."

"The new Penumbra 3D device differs in some key aspects from other thrombectomy systems," said PD Dr. med. Werner Weber, Head of the Department of Radiology and Interventional Neuroradiology, Klinikum Vest, Knappschaftskrankenhaus, Recklinghausen, Germany. "Because of its 3-dimensional characteristics, it has a different geometry than other companies' devices. The 3D Separator also has extremely good pushability, especially through distal, more tortuous segments due to the stability of the distal pusher wire. The combination of the 3D Separator together with aspiration allows for removal of clots, due to their consistency, which could not otherwise be removed with stent retrievers alone. We have seen several cases in which lesional aspiration together with the 3D Separator has been key to the success of the proceedure. For example, using the 054 Reperfusion Catheter just in front of the site of the occlusion enables good results."

"I think the 3D really is a quantum leap over the other devices and the most innovative clot extraction device. Compatibility is good with other Penumbra catheters such as the Reperfusion Catheter 054. The radiopaque markers are also extremely helpful, and the device is easy to handle, tracking nicely through tortuosity. It seems as if the Penumbra 3D defines a new category of stroke devices," said Dr. med. Johannes Weber, Director of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, University Hospital St. Gallen, St. Gallen Switzerland.