Abbott Vascular Devices, a division of Abbott Laboratories, announced the establishment of US commercial operations of its endovascular technologies business unit with the launch of four products: the Xceed Nitinol Self Expanding Biliary Stent, the Xpert Self Expanding Biliary Stent, the Fox PTA Catheter and the Prostar XL Suture-Mediated Closure Device. These products are being showcased at the 2004 International Symposium on Endovascular Therapy (ISET) held in Miami.

The Endovascular Technologies unit, which together with the coronary technologies unit and the vessel closure technologies unit comprise Abbott's vascular devices business, will deliver an advanced portfolio of endovascular products to assist clinicians in treating noncoronary vascular disease. These products include technology that clinicians use throughout the various points of a diagnostic or interventional procedure - from vessel dilation, to stent placement, to access site closure.

"With the establishment of commercial operations in the United States of our Endovascular Technologies unit, we are ready to provide cutting-edge products that meet the needs of US clinicians and their patients," said Robert Hance, president, Abbott Vascular Devices. "We are pleased to offer such a well-rounded, best-in-class portfolio of stents, balloons and suture-mediated closure devices and are committed to providing the US market with innovative interventional devices."