NexGen Medical Systems announced the successful completion of the first human use of its XCOIL  large vessel (18mm) thrombectomy system for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The new device represents an expansion of the company’s 12mm XCOIL system and is designed to rapidly remove blood clots in large vessels, such as the iliac vein.

Both XCOIL systems are comprised of an encapsulator sheath and a retractor catheter. The retractor is used to engage and extract the clot, pull it into the encapsulator and remove the clot from the body while minimizing the need for clot-dissolving lytic drugs.

“This expansion of the XCOIL platform provides our customers with an effective portfolio of solutions for the many patients suffering from deep vein thrombosis in the United States,” said Denis Harrington, president & CEO of Minneapolis-based NexGen, said in a prepared statement. “With the successful addition of our large vessel solution, NexGen Medical continues to demonstrate our commitment to developing advanced solutions for treating DVT blood clots and in the future expanding our platforms to treat pulmonary embolism clots.”

Clot-dissolving drugs are not appropriate for all DVT patients, according to David Buechner, MD, of Methodist Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. “The XCOIL thrombectomy system provides a rapid mechanical solution and may improve outcomes, and reduce costs, for our patients,” Buechner said.