ST. PAUL, Minn., March 17 (UPI) -- St. Jude Medical said Friday it has launched its newly approved vascular closure device to seal arteries in surgery.
The device maker said the Angio-Seal VIP -- approved for both diagnostic and interventional procedures, improves existing technology because the device provides more coverage on the artery surface when it is used to seal off arterial catheterization access sites.
Thus, physicians can more easily achieve cessation of bleeding. Also, once the Angio-Seal is in place, physicians can re-enter the site within 1 centimeter of the original site, St. Jude said. Angio-Seal is totally absorbed into the body within 60 to 90 days.
"In our experience with Angio-Seal VIP, which includes use in more than 550 patients, we believe that the improvements have been noticeable, particularly in interventional procedures," said Jack Martin, chief of cardiology at Main Line Health in Bryn Mawr, Pa., who was involved in the device's pre-market study.
"Also, we believe that earlier patient ambulation and earlier discharge helps patients get back to their lives sooner, as well as reducing time and cost in the recovery room," he said.
Nearly 10 million catheterizations are performed worldwide each year, St. Jude said.
