Boston Scientific Corporation is launching the Quantum Monorail post-dilatation balloon catheter in the U.S. The catheter uses the same Quantum LEAP balloon material found in the Quantum Ranger catheter. In a recent study, post-dilatation using Quantum LEAP balloon material produced favourable results compared to using a stent balloon delivery system alone.

"The addition of the Quantum Monorail balloon catheter strengthens Boston Scientific's leadership in balloon catheter technology worldwide," said Paul LaViolette, Senior Vice President and Group President of Cardiovascular at Boston Scientific. "It completes our adjunctive balloon portfolio by providing both a Monorail and Over-The-Wire catheter in each category, thereby ensuring we have a balloon for a broad range of applications."

The study, presented in November at the American Heart Association's 73rd Annual Scientific Session -- exclusively utilizing Boston Scientific technology -- concluded that "despite angiographically successful high pressure stent implantations with semi-compliant stent delivery systems (SDS), post-dilatations with non-compliant balloons (Boston Scientific Quantum Ranger and NC Ranger balloon catheters) matched by size and pressure resulted in significantly improved minimal stent area (MSA).

Since MSA is a powerful predictor of in-stent restenosis, this suggests that continued use of stent post-dilatations with non-compliant balloons might be important to overcome variabilities in coronary plaque compliance.

The Quantum LEAP balloon material features Hinge Balloon Technology, which offers sizing flexibility at lower pressures and minimal growth at higher pressures.

It is a unique technology that combines both non-compliant balloon properties with the performance characteristics of semi-compliant balloon catheters. The Quantum Monorail balloon catheter is available in stent-matched lengths of 9, 12, 15, 18 and 20 mm and in diameters from 2.5 to 4.0 mm.