Clinical

WESTMINSTER, Colo., USA (March 6, 2013) – Surefire Medical’s new infusion system maximizes delivery of drugs directly to the tumor site while minimizing potential damage to non-target organs, according to a new study. The ability to more safely and efficiently deliver embolic agents to target tumors locally marks a significant advance in radiation oncology procedures and in the treatment of liver cancer.
The 29 procedure study, led by Steven Rose, M.D. of the University of California at San Diego Medical Center (UCSD) and reported in CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology, determined that when the unique Surefire expandable anti-reflux tip is deployed, an approximate 20 mm Hg pressure drop occurs downstream from the tip, causing a reversal of blood flow in arteries between the liver and adjacent organs. This phenomenon prevents the chemoembolization or radioembolization agents from flowing into downstream non-target vessels.
“These results show that new catheter technology makes it possible to prevent embolics from traveling to distal non-target vessels,” said Rose. “We may potentially see improved patient outcomes because all blood flow carrying the embolics is directed to the liver while protecting the rest of the body.”

The Surefire catheter’s unique expandable tip also enables more of the embolic agents to reach their intended destination.
“Dr. Rose has identified a unique property of the Surefire Infusion System that is not available with standard end-hole catheters,” said Aravind Arepally, M.D., Surefire Medical’s Chief Scientific Officer. “This should provide additional arsenal for doctors performing liver directed therapies.”
According to Rose, the Surefire Infusion System provides both upstream and downstream protection.
“We are extremely pleased that the growing body of clinical evidence, coupled with the enthusiasm of our increasing user base at hospitals worldwide, continues to prove the efficacy of the Surefire line of catheters,” said Surefire Medical CEO Jim Chomas.