The Ireland-based medical device company Perfuze announced it has received FDA 510(k) clearance for its Zipline access catheters, designed for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. Alongside this regulatory milestone, the company has secured €22 million in additional funding to support its expansion and research initiatives.
Perfuze has already begun a limited market release of the Zipline catheters at Comprehensive Stroke Centers throughout the United States. The technology is specifically engineered to enhance the trackability and delivery of large (070) and superbore (088) aspiration catheters, potentially improving outcomes for stroke patients.
Clinical Impact and Physician Feedback
Early clinical experience with the Zipline catheters has demonstrated promising results, particularly in challenging anatomical cases. Dr. Jay Dolia, Assistant Professor of Neurology at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, shared his experience with the technology.
"The Zipline catheters represent an innovative technology that I believe will simplify stroke intervention, reduce costs, and accelerate reperfusion," Dr. Dolia stated. "In my initial experience, they have enabled rapid clot access and aspiration, even in complex anatomy."
This feedback highlights the potential clinical advantages of the Zipline system in addressing the critical need for faster and more effective stroke interventions. Rapid reperfusion remains a key factor in improving outcomes for ischemic stroke patients, where every minute of delayed treatment can result in the loss of approximately 1.9 million neurons.
Strategic Funding to Advance Stroke Treatment
The newly secured €22 million in follow-on funding was led by existing investors, including Earlybird, EQT Life Sciences, Seroba, and SV Health. According to Perfuze, this capital will be allocated to support the limited market release of both the Zipline and Millipede catheters, as well as to advance ongoing clinical and research and development initiatives in stroke treatment.
Addressing the Stroke Treatment Landscape
Acute ischemic stroke, caused by a blood clot blocking blood flow to the brain, affects approximately 795,000 Americans annually. Mechanical thrombectomy using aspiration catheters has emerged as a standard of care for large vessel occlusions, but technical challenges in navigating complex vasculature can delay treatment.
The Zipline access catheters aim to address these challenges by improving the delivery of aspiration catheters to the site of the clot. This advancement could potentially reduce procedure times and improve clinical outcomes in a condition where time-to-treatment is critical.
Technical Specifications and Market Positioning
The Zipline catheters are designed to work with both large (070) and superbore (088) aspiration catheters, providing physicians with flexibility in their approach to clot removal. This compatibility with existing aspiration systems may facilitate adoption among interventional neurologists and neuroradiologists already familiar with aspiration-based thrombectomy techniques.
As Perfuze continues its limited market release, the company will likely gather additional real-world data on the performance of the Zipline system across various patient populations and anatomical challenges. This data will be crucial for broader market adoption and potential inclusion in stroke treatment guidelines.
