Hotspur’s Keeper Embolectomy Catheter Deployed for First Time

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Feb. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Hotspur
Technologies announced today that Dr. Thomas DiBartholomeo of
Fairfield, CT, performed the first clinical use of its
Keeper™ Embolectomy Catheter.  The Keeper Catheter
enables physicians to clear clot formation within arteries, while
also incorporating the capability of injecting physician-specified
fluids directly through the balloon catheter.

The Keeper Catheter combines a compliant embolectomy balloon
with its proprietary VisioValve™ technology. This unique
valve, located at the distal end of the device, allows the
physician to inject fluids such as contrast or thrombolytics
directly to the intended location of visualization or treatment.
 By combining these two frequently used tasks into one device,
the Keeper Catheter allows a physician to potentially maintain
guidewire position for an entire case.

Dr. DiBartholomeo used the device during multiple dialysis
access procedures where the removal of clot was needed after vessel
blockages began to limit necessary blood flow.  The
embolectomy balloon, which is compatible with vessels between 4mm
and 15mm, was inflated and retracted to displace thrombus.
 Then, without needing to remove the balloon catheter or the
guidewire, the VisioValve was opened and contrast injected to
visualize device placement and to confirm successful clot
displacement.

After utilizing the device, Dr. DiBartholomeo remarked, “This
device deployment was highly successful.  By being able to
visualize the effectiveness of the clot removal without removing
the balloon or the guidewire, the Keeper Catheter will be an
effective tool in my dialysis access procedures.  Moving
forward, this device will play a key role in my procedures that
require embolectomy.”

The Keeper Catheter is one of Hotspur’s first three commercially
available products, all of which are based upon the
VisioValve™ technology. This unique val

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