Aquedeon Medical Inc. has received FDA approval to expand its Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) clinical trial for the Duett Vascular Graft System, a novel device designed to facilitate open surgical repair of aortic arch aneurysms and dissections. The expansion will allow enrollment of up to 90 patients across additional clinical sites in the United States.
Addressing Critical Surgical Challenges
The Duett System targets a significant unmet need in open surgical thoracic aortic arch reconstruction, one of the most complex and high-risk procedures in cardiovascular surgery. These operations are typically performed during deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) while patients are on cardiopulmonary bypass, with DHCA duration serving as a critical factor that directly impacts patient outcomes.
During arch reconstruction, surgeons must excise the diseased portion of the aorta and replace it with a prosthetic polyester graft. The graft is then sutured to the native aorta, with each branch connected to the three major arch vessels that supply blood to the brain and upper body. This portion of the surgery—suturing the graft branches to native vessels—is particularly technically demanding and time-consuming, contributing to prolonged DHCA periods associated with increased neurological and cardiac risks.
Device Innovation and Clinical Impact
The Duett System is engineered to simplify and accelerate the vascular anastomosis process, with the primary goal of reducing DHCA duration and re-establishing cerebral perfusion more rapidly. This technological approach addresses the time-sensitive nature of these complex procedures where every minute of circulatory arrest carries clinical significance.
Aquedeon Medical launched its two-stage IDE clinical trial in 2024 to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Duett System. The recent FDA approval for expansion aims to further validate the system's clinical benefits and procedural efficiency across a broader patient population.
Clinical Leadership Perspective
"It is exciting that Aquedeon has received FDA approval to expand the Duett IDE study to 90 patients. Open aortic arch surgery is complex and technically demanding. The Duett technology has the potential to transform the field by providing aortic surgeons with an innovative tool to facilitate arch reconstruction and enhance care for patients with aortic disease," said Dr. Wilson Szeto, University of Pennsylvania, who serves as Principal Investigator for the study.
Company Outlook
Tom Palermo, Chief Operating Officer of Aquedeon Medical, emphasized the significance of this regulatory milestone: "This milestone brings us one step closer to improving outcomes for patients undergoing complex aortic arch reconstruction. We are grateful for the continued support of our clinical partners and the FDA as we advance the Duett System through the next stage of evaluation."
The expanded trial represents a critical step in the development pathway for this investigational device, which remains limited by federal law to investigational use. The study's expansion to additional clinical sites will provide broader clinical experience with the technology and generate additional safety and efficacy data to support potential future regulatory submissions.
