August 26, 2008 - Cook Medical today said 200 medical centers in the U.S. have adopted its EVOLUTION Mechanical Dilator Sheath technology, a new tool designed to remove faulty, ineffective leads in patients with cardiac pacemakers.
Cook’s EVOLUTION has been adopted as an alternative to current laser and other powered techniques as it is less invasive, more intuitive to use and about half the cost of laser-powered sheaths.
In the U.S., more than 20,000 to 25,000 leads are extracted annually. Prior to EVOLUTION, leads were removed either through laser extraction systems, manual dilator sheaths or with a snare under local or general anesthetic. These extraction methods had disadvantages in terms of cost, time and or potential patient adverse events.
The device is intended for use in patients requiring the percutaneous dilation of tissue surrounding cardiac leads, indwelling catheters and foreign objects. Cook said the device helps minimizes the risk of vascular perforations seen with laser-powered sheaths utilizing a forward depth of cut.
The EVOLUTION Shortie was launched at Heart Rhythm 2008. The Shortie employs a shorter length to enhance physician control and a specialized distal tip that enables physicians to negotiate through tough fibrous binding adhesions.
Cook’s EVOLUTION is currently available in the United States, Europe and Canada.
For more information: www.cookmedical.com
February 02, 2024 
