Cook Medical’s Günther Tulip™ Vena Cava Filter Can Be Retrieved Up to 12 Times

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - A study that examined the times in which Cook Medical’s Günther Tulip™ Vena Cava Filter could be successfully retrieved from patients has presented breakthrough results. Dr. Bob Smouse, who works at the University Of Illinois College Of Medicine at Peoria, revealed that Cook Günther Tulip™ Vena Cava Filter can be safely retrieved up to 12 weeks post-implant with a success rate of 94 percent when used for prevention of pulmonary embolism (PE).

“This clinical study, which is the largest to examine vena cava filter retrievals, reveals breakthrough results about physicians’ ability to retrieve Cook’s Günther Tulip months after implantation,” said Dr. Smouse. “Our hope is that these results become the criterion to which all retrievable vena cava filters must measure up to.”

The Günther Tulip Vena Cava Filter received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance in October 2000 for permanent placement in patients and in October 2003 for retrievable use. The Günther Tulip is an implanted device used to capture blood clots caused by trauma, surgery or other medical conditions before they can reach the lungs, causing a PE.

“This retrieval data is extremely encouraging and demonstrates the medical advancements in treating PEs,” said Rob Lyles, global leader of Cook Medical’s Peripheral Intervention products division. “At Cook, we are continually driving to improve the quality of our products and in turn, improve the quality of patient outcomes.”