Device availability and regulatory status vary by country. Please contact INVAMED or your authorized local distributor for current regulatory information applicable to your region.
What Is the Extender's Coating Technology?
The Extender uses a paclitaxel-iopromide coating designed for rapid drug release into the vessel wall upon balloon inflation, intended to help inhibit neointimal hyperplasia — the excess cellular growth response that can lead to restenosis after angioplasty. According to INVAMED product information, the coating formulation is engineered to resist delamination, supporting controlled, uniform distribution of the antiproliferative agent during navigation and deployment. The device is described as achieving its therapeutic window after approximately 30 seconds of inflation time.
What Are the Key Specifications?
The Extender Drug PTA Balloon Catheter is available across a range of sizes to accommodate different peripheral vascular anatomies:
- Diameter range: 1.5 mm–12.0 mm, covering small distal arteries up to larger peripheral segments
- Length range: 20 mm–220 mm, addressing both short, focal lesions and more extensive diseased vessel segments
- Catheter shaft: 5F shaft design, intended to minimize access-site trauma
- Guidewire compatibility: 0.014", 0.018", or 0.035" wires
- Catheter lengths: Available in 80, 90, 120, 135, and 150 cm working lengths
- Radiopaque markers: Platinum-iridium (Pt-Ir) markers for balloon positioning under fluoroscopy
What Design Features Support Drug Delivery?
According to INVAMED specifications, the Extender is built with a highly compliant balloon material intended to promote optimal contact with the vessel wall during inflation, which is intended to support consistent drug transfer. The listed drug dosage is 3.0–3.5 µg/mm², using a coating with particles smaller than 2 microns and contrast media as a drug carrier. The product is also described as offering a non-compliant version for cases where a different balloon compliance profile is preferred.
Why Choose a 5F Low-Profile Shaft?
A 5F shaft design is intended to reduce trauma at the vascular access site compared to larger-profile catheters, which may be a relevant consideration for physicians managing patients with smaller or more fragile access vessels. The multiple guidewire compatibility options (0.014", 0.018", 0.035") also allow flexibility depending on the specific lesion and procedural approach selected.
How Does the Extender Fit Into Peripheral Procedures?
The Extender Drug PTA Balloon Catheter is often used following initial vessel preparation — such as standard balloon angioplasty or atherectomy in calcified lesions — to deliver localized antiproliferative therapy to the treated segment. It is one part of INVAMED's broader peripheral arterial disease portfolio, which also includes the Atlas Peripheral Stent System and rotational atherectomy technology.
Frequently Asked Questions
What drug does the Extender balloon deliver?
The Extender uses a paclitaxel-iopromide coating to deliver an antiproliferative agent to the arterial wall during balloon inflation. This is intended to help address neointimal hyperplasia associated with restenosis after angioplasty.
What vessel sizes is the Extender designed to treat?
The device is available in diameters from 1.5 mm to 12.0 mm and lengths from 20 mm to 220 mm, intended to accommodate a range of peripheral vessels from small distal arteries to larger segments such as the femoral or popliteal arteries.
Is the Extender compatible with different guidewire sizes?
Yes. The Extender accommodates 0.014", 0.018", or 0.035" guidewires, offering flexibility for different peripheral vascular lesions and procedural approaches, as determined by the treating physician.
Related INVAMED Resources
- Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) Products
- Atlas Peripheral Stent System
- Comprehensive Catheter & Guidewire Systems
Medical Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendation. It is not a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Product indications, availability, and regulatory status vary by country. Always refer to the official Instructions for Use (IFU) and consult a licensed physician for guidance specific to your situation. INVAMED devices are intended for use by trained healthcare professionals.