Cordis Corporation Introduces FIRE STAR™ Rx PTCA Dilatation Catheter And DURA STAR™ Rx PTCA Dilatation Catheter

New Balloons Support Cordis’ Commitment to Offer Full Range of Innovative Products for Catheterization Laboratories

Warren, NJ .– Cordis Corporation today announced the introduction in the United States of the FIRE STAR™ Rx PTCA Dilatation Catheter and the DURA STAR™ Rx PTCA Dilatation Catheter. Both balloons, indicated for expansion in the narrowed area of a coronary artery or bypass graft, will be offered to catheterization laboratories and interventional cardiologists starting on October 15. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the commercialization of these products in late August.

The FIRE STAR™ Balloon features the lowest pre-dilatation profile in the market. It is equipped to enable interventional cardiologists to easily guide the catheter through tortuous arteries and to cross complex blockages, usually prior to the placement of a stent.

The DURA STAR™ Balloon facilitates the post-delivery expansion of stents in coronary arteries and is also suitable for tackling tortuous arteries and complex blockages. It has been designed to provide interventional cardiologists with controlled and even expansion of the balloon to the correct diameter, which may help reduce the potential for artery damage to the patient.

“The FIRE STAR™and the DURA STAR™ Balloons performed well under challenging circumstances,” said Louis D. Snyder, M.D., F.A.C.C., F.S.C.A.I., Medical Director, Bethesda Heart Institute, Boynton Beach, FL, who tested the balloons during their development. “They will allow for enhanced accuracy and speed during procedures, ultimately benefiting patients.”

With its low pre-dilatation profile, the FIRE STAR™Balloon is also suitable for use in highly stenosed lesions (arteries severely narrowed by the build-up of plaque) and bifurcations (divisions of arteries into two branches). In addition, the FIRE STAR™ Balloon offers a controlled expansion for accurate dilatation of arteries, which may help reduce the potential for artery damage. It also has a soft and tapered tip to facilitate crossing stent struts and challenging lesions, while its shaft construction helps to reduce the risk of “kinking” (twisting back on itself). The device is finished with a lubricating coating and is available in various lengths and diameters ranging from 10 mm to 30 mm and from 1.5 mm to 3.5 mm, respectively.

The DURA STAR™ Balloon is suited for use with both drug-eluting and bare-metal balloon-expandable stents. Its short and soft tip facilitates crossing stent struts and complex lesions. Designed to reduce the risk of “kinking” and equipped with a lubricating coating, the DURA STAR™ Balloon provides easy delivery to the site of a lesion, especially in challenging cases. The balloon is available in various lengths from 10 to 30 mm and from 2.25 to 4.0 mm in diameter.

“The introduction of the FIRE STAR™ and the DURA STAR™ Balloons are in line with Cordis’ commitment to build a comprehensive portfolio of products and services to support interventional cardiologists and cath lab teams,” said David E. Kandzari, M.D., F.A.C.C., F.S.C.A.I., Chief Medical Officer, Cordis Corporation. “In recent months, we have also launched the family of REGATTA™ Steerable Guidewires. We will continue to expand our range with further innovative new products that meet our criteria for delivering measurable improvements over currently available alternatives.”