Valet Microcatheter Launches in U.S., Europe

Volcano Corp. officials announce the launch of the Valet microcatheter in the United States and Europe. Valet is a high performance microcatheter that is used for guidewire support, wire exchange and contrast injections during complex coronary and peripheral interventional procedures, and is particularly useful for highly stenosed lesions.

According to company officials, Valet is the first product to incorporate Volcano's proprietary VeriTorque technology. VeriTorque technology provides outstanding torque performance that, when combined with Valet's shapeable distal tip, helps physicians precisely control and position their guidewire in distal and tortuous anatomy. Valet also provides a new level of guidewire crossing support on account of its seamless, powder coated shaft and reinforced layers of microwire wind on the proximal segment of the catheter.

"The Valet microcatheter launch highlights Volcano's commitment to providing precision guided therapies, specifically in the area of highly stenosed lesions," states Scott Huennekens, president and CEO, Volcano Corp. "Highly stenosed lesions and complex lesions represent some of the most challenging conditions an interventionalist may face. We believe a microcatheter with ultra-high performance attributes like Valet will be welcomed."

"Volcano has brought real innovation to the microcatheter – one of our front line tools in treating chronic coronary artery occlusions," states Dr. Barry Rutherford, director of the Interventional Cardiology Research Program, St. Luke's Mid America Heart Institute and the physician performing the product's first U.S. in-man case. "I found the catheter to have excellent torque response and superb handling and tracking."  

"Valet offers compelling performance benefits in challenging peripheral endovascular cases. The combination of support, deliverability, and guidewire control is unique," comments Dr. Christos Katsigiannis, cardiothoracic surgeon at Clear Lake Regional Medical Center and the surgeon performing the first peripheral in-man cases with Valet. "I particularly appreciated Valet's performance in navigating the complex anatomy below-the-knee."

The Valet microcatheter is available in sizes compatible with 0.014" and 0.035" guidewires and in lengths of 100cm, 135cm, and 150cm.