Evaluation of Thoraflex in the Treatment of Aneurysm or Penetrating Ulcer of the Descending Thoracic Aorta

Plain-language summary

ThoraflexTM is designed for the treatment of aneurysm or penetrating ulcer of the descending thoracic aorta. Each system is advanced from a transfemoral or transiliac approach over a 0.035" guidewire and positioned under fluoroscopic control. If necessary, an arterial conduit technique may be required to allow access to the arterial system. The soft tapered tip allows atraumatic insertion into the vessel, while the catheter and sheath are designed to provide excellent flexibility and control through tortuous arterial anatomy. Each individual stent graft device is supplied sterile and pre-loaded in a single-use delivery system. The stent graft is a self-expanding endoprosthesis constructed of a thin wall woven polyester and nitinol ring stents, which are attached to the fabric with braided polyester sutures. The delivery system central catheter is a stainless steel braided co-extrusion of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and polyester elastomer, designed to provide significant torque control and strength, while also maintaining superior flexibility. The outer sheath is made in a tri-layer construction consisting of a PTFE liner, a stainless steel flat braid layer and a polyester elastomer outer jacket with a hydrophilic lubricant coating. These materials provide very low friction force during device insertion and deployment together with enhanced flexibility of the delivery system. The handle components are moulded from thermoplastic polyurethane. The materials of the endoprosthesis are identical to those of the current Conformité Européenne (CE) marked Vascutek Ltd. AnacondaTM Stent Graft System intended for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. The materials of the delivery system are well established in medical applications. The design of ThoraflexTM is based on the same principles as other clinically established thoracic endovascular devices. The endoprosthesis is constructed of self-expanding nitinol stents and a polyester tube graft. Four proximal hooks anchor the endoprosthesis within the aorta. Unlike existing thoracic endovascular devices, the delivery system of ThoraflexTM allows repositioning of the endoprosthesis so that the optimal deployment position can be enhanced. The intended use of ThoraflexTM is the treatment of aneurysm or penetrating ulcer of the descending thoracic aorta, which is identical to other CE approved thoracic endovascular devices.

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