Volcano Corp announces first human use of OCT imaging catheter
12 May 2008
Volcano Corporation (NASDAQ:VOLC) has announced the first human
procedure using the Volcano optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging
catheter. The procedure was performed by Dr Patrick Serruys at the
Thoraxcenter, in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
The Volcano OCT will complement the company's existing line of IVUS
imaging catheters and pressure guidewires used for coronary imaging and
lesion assessment. The OCT imaging platform provides high-resolution
images in the 10-15 micron range, opening the door for new applications
to complement both IVUS and angiography.
Volcano acquired the OCT technology through its purchase of
CardioSpectra at the end of 2007.
Michel Lussier, President of Volcano Europe commented, "The high
resolution OCT images provide a glimpse at structural detail not seen
before by other imaging modalities. We believe that OCT has the
potential to identify thin-cap fibro-atheromas, clearly highlight
intraluminal thrombus, and assess the complete healing of novel
drug-eluting stent designs. Volcano is committed to exploring the
various clinical benefits of our OCT platform through detailed
data-driven study design and mutually beneficial partnerships with other
therapy companies."
Christopher E Banas, Vice President and General Manager of Volcano's
OCT Division in San Antonio Texas, and former CEO and Chairman of
CardioSpectra commented, "This is an important step in demonstrating the
ability of Volcano's OCT catheter to safely image coronary vessels of
human patients and establishing a leadership position in advanced
coronary imaging technologies."
Patrick Serruys, MD, commented, "The Volcano OCT Imaging Catheter is
another step closer to delivering interventionalists with the true cath
lab of the future. To better serve my patients, I want the flexibility
to select from an array of different tools, quickly interrogate the
vessel, and immediately process the information. Having these various
technologies, including IVUS, OCT and FFR, all integrated into the lab,
with a common user interface, review points, data storage and staff
training provides this flexibility."