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 an Endovascular Snare?
An endovascular snare is a catheter-based retrieval tool used to capture and remove foreign material from within a blood vessel without requiring open surgical access. The device is advanced through the vascular system via catheter to the target location, where a loop or set of loops is deployed to encircle and secure the object, which is then withdrawn along with the retrieval catheter. Endovascular snares are an important tool in interventional practice because they allow intravascular complications to be managed through a percutaneous, catheter-based approach rather than surgery in many cases.
How Is the Keeper Endovascular Snare Designed?
The Keeper Endovascular Snare uses a multi-loop configuration, in contrast to simpler single-loop snare designs. Key design characteristics include:
- Nitinol or stainless steel loop construction, offering flexibility and shape memory suited to catheter delivery
- A radiopaque marker to support visualization under fluoroscopic imaging during the retrieval procedure
- Loop diameters ranging from approximately 2–35 mm, allowing the device to be matched to different vessel sizes and target object dimensions
- Shaft lengths of approximately 80–120 cm, supporting access to a range of anatomical locations
The multi-loop design is intended to improve the likelihood of secure engagement with an object, since multiple loops can approach and encircle a target from different angles compared with a single-loop snare.
When Might Interventionalists Use an Endovascular Snare?
Endovascular snares are used in a range of clinical scenarios where a foreign object or embolic material needs to be removed from the vascular system. Commonly described use cases include retrieval of a dislodged or migrated stent, recovery of catheter or guidewire fragments that have become detached during a prior procedure, and assisting in the retrieval of devices such as certain filter systems when clinically indicated. The specific decision to use a snare, and the technique employed, is determined by the treating interventionalist based on imaging findings and the clinical situation.
What Should Clinicians Consider During Use?
Successful snare retrieval depends on accurate imaging guidance, appropriate loop sizing relative to the target object and vessel, and careful technique to avoid vessel injury during capture and withdrawal. As with any endovascular procedure, retrieval attempts carry inherent risks, including the possibility of vessel trauma or incomplete retrieval, and are performed by trained interventional physicians familiar with the device's Instructions for Use (IFU).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a single-loop and multi-loop snare?
A single-loop snare uses one wire loop to capture an object, while a multi-loop snare like the Keeper Endovascular Snare uses multiple loops, which may improve the ability to engage an object from different angles within the vessel lumen.
Is the Keeper Endovascular Snare reusable?
No. The Keeper Endovascular Snare is a single-use, sterile device intended for one procedural use, consistent with standard practice for many endovascular retrieval devices.
What materials is the snare loop made from?
The Keeper Endovascular Snare loop is available in nitinol or stainless steel, both of which offer the flexibility and mechanical properties needed for catheter-based delivery and controlled loop deployment.
Related INVAMED Resources
- Cardiac Surgery Instruments Products
- What Is an Endovascular Snare? A Patient Guide
- Contact INVAMED for More Information
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.