Corindus Vascular Robotics, a leading developer of precision vascular robotics, has received the US FDA 510(k) clearance for the CorPath 200 System to be used in percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). The technology is now approved in the United States to assist interventional cardiologists in performing PCI, a procedure to restore blood flow to blocked arteries in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

“We are pleased to have received clearance from the FDA for the world’s first system designed for robotic-assisted PCI procedures,” said David M Handler, president and CEO of Corindus Vascular Robotics. “This is an important milestone for interventional cardiology as we take the next step in transforming the way these procedures are performed in the future. The CorPath System offers hospitals the opportunity to bring robotic-assisted technology benefits to their coronary patients and their physicians.”

“The FDA clearance of the CorPath System will truly change the way I am able to practice. As interventional cardiologists, we perform our procedures using X-ray guidance and are cognizant that throughout our careers, we will be exposed to a high amount of radiation. In the past, we have relied on heavy lead aprons to protect us from radiation, but the physical stress of wearing these aprons can lead to back pain, fatigue and orthopedic injuries,” said Joseph P Carrozza, Jr. MD, Chief of Cardiovascular Medicine at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Centre in Boston. “Robot-assisted PCI procedures allow us to provide our patients with the highest quality of care working in an ergonomic position with robotic-assisted stent and balloon placements to restore blood flow.”

Recent data published in Catheterization and Cardiovascular Intervention journal demonstrated an interventional cardiologist’s daily exposure to radiation and the physical stresses inherent in the cath lab can lead to occupational health risks, including orthopaedic problems, cataracts, and cancer. The CorPath PRECISE Trial—a prospective, single-arm, multi-centre, study, which served as the basis for the submission of a pre-market clearance (510(k)) application to the FDA—demonstrated that robotically-assisted PCI is safe and feasible for patients. PCI was successfully completed without having to convert to manual PCI in 98.8 per cent of patients and without device-related complications. The overall procedure success rate was 97.6 per cent. Additionally, the trial found that robotic-assisted PCI can make the procedure safer for the interventional cardiologist by reducing the radiation exposure by 95 per cent when performing the procedure with the CorPath 200 System.

“Gaining significant experience with the CorPath 200 System, I was impressed with its performance and the precise control of the interventional devices, including manipulating the guidewire and stent and being able to move the devices precisely in increments as small as one millimeter,” said Giora Weisz, MD, Director of Clinical Research at the Centre for Interventional Vascular Therapy at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Centre and Associate Professor of Medicine at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York. “Working with this robotic technology is very intuitive and the PRECISE trial demonstrated its applicability in today’s cath lab environment. I strongly believe robotic-assisted PCI will enhance the way we are conducting PCI, and we are looking forward to adapting it in our everyday practice.”

The CorPath 200 System is the first and only robotic-assisted procedure to allow for controlled placement of coronary guidewires and stent/balloon catheters from an optimized interventional cockpit. The lead-lined cockpit protects the interventional cardiologist from harmful radiation exposure and the seated position in front of monitors may provide enhanced view of the angiography screen while reducing fatigue and minimizing head, neck and back strain.

“There has been a tremendous amount of interest in the CorPath 200 System, and we are excited to bring to market a solution that has the potential to transform the standard of care for PCI procedures,” said Handler. “Corindus is ready to help our customers successfully implement the complete CorPath-assisted procedure program into their institutions.”