First implantation of Crux's vena cava filter
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
The Crux inferior vena cava (IVC) filter developed by Crux Biomedical, of Portola Valley, California, has been implanted in the first patient. The retrievable device is designed to prevent pulmonary emboli (PE). It was implanted as part of a pivotal IDE study, which is being conducted at 12 institutions in the US. Retrievable IVC filters can be left inside the patient on a permanent basis, or may be removed via minimally-invasive methods once the patient is no longer at risk for a PE. Annual sales of IVC filters in the US are estimated to reach $252m in 2008.