Vena cava filter from Crux Biomedical awarded US patent

The Crux IVC filter traps blood clots which can lead to pulmonary embolisms
The Crux IVC filter traps blood clots which can lead to pulmonary embolisms

Pulmonary embolism is one of the most common causes of death in hospitalized people who must remain in bed for a long time and continuing improvements in vena cava filters mean they can either be left in the body, or removed when the person no longer needs it.

Eric Johnson, Crux vice president of R&D said: “Filter tilt and adherence to the vessel wall present a significant obstacle to filter retrieval. The Crux IVC filter is designed to centre itself in the vessel to minimize these difficulties. In addition its design permits for bi-directional retrieval from either the jugular or femoral veins.”

Crux Biomedical Inc is expecting to enter the Crux IVC filter into clinical trials at the end of 2009.