FDA clears Medtronic device that restores blood flow during stroke

Medical device company Medtronic has announced FDA clearance for its Riptide Aspiration System, designed to restore blood to the brain during acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

The device is designed to alleviate blood clots through the company’s Arc Catheter and restore blood flow in patients experiencing blockage of an artery in the brain. To remove a blood clot a physician will insert a catheter through an incision in the leg to the blocked artery.

Stacey Pugh, vice president and general manager of Medtronic's Neurovascular business, said: “Medtronic is committed to developing services and solutions that address healthcare needs by improving clinical and economic outcomes. We believe that the Riptide Aspiration System and Solitaire Revascularisation Device provide our customers with a comprehensive suite of products to choose from. Medtronic is committed to being a complete solutions provider in the treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke market.”

The system is intended to be used in the revascularisation of patients with acute ischemic stroke to intracranial large vessel occlusive disease within eight hours of symptom onset.

Dr. Daniel Sahlein, interventional neuroradiologist, Goodman Campbell Brain and Spine and assistant professor of clinical neurology at Neurological Surgery, Indianapolis University-Purdue University Indianapolis, said: "While I primarily use the Solitaire Revascularisation Device to treat patients with acute ischemic stroke, I utilise a direct aspiration approach as my first line treatment strategy in select circumstances such as basilar artery thromboembolism and in select anterior circulation cases. The Riptide Aspiration System will provide me with another proven Medtronic product to utilise when treating stroke patients."