Below is an educational, technical answer to a question many patients and clinicians ask. Embolization is an endovascular technique in which an occluding material is delivered through a catheter to intentionally block blood flow in a target vessel, and it is used across a broad range of indications. As a medical device manufacturer, INVAMED develops technologies in this area; the information here is educational and not medical advice.
Background: Endovascular Embolization
Embolization is an endovascular technique in which an occluding material is delivered through a catheter to intentionally block blood flow in a target vessel, and it is used across a broad range of indications. Transarterial approaches also include transarterial radioembolization (TARE) and other targeted therapies delivered through dedicated microcatheters, always as determined by the treating interventional team. Because embolization is generally intended to be permanent, careful vessel selection and sizing are emphasized so that only the intended territory is occluded.
What are embolization coils made of?
Embolization coils are commonly made from metals such as platinum or platinum alloys, often with attached fibers to enhance clotting. According to invamed.com content surfaced via the search index, INVAMED's Spider coil family uses a platinum-tungsten alloy (92/8%) with coil diameters spanning roughly 2 to 30 mm. The metal provides radiopacity for visualization and the coil geometry helps it form a stable occluding mass. The specific coil composition and size for a procedure are selected by the operator based on the target vessel.
What This Means in Practice
Detachable designs allow the operator to confirm position before committing, which can be valuable near sensitive branches. Catheter and microcatheter compatibility with the chosen coil, plug, or agent is confirmed before delivery to support controlled deployment. Matching the embolic agent to the target level of the vascular tree, from proximal plugs and coils to distal particles or liquids, is central to planning.
Key Considerations
- Manufacturer statements about INVAMED devices, including comparative claims on the MultiBEAM product page, reflect the company's positioning rather than guaranteed individual outcomes.
- Matching the embolic agent to the target level of the vascular tree, from proximal plugs and coils to distal particles or liquids, is central to planning.
- Because embolization is usually intended to be permanent, precise vessel selection and sizing are emphasized so that only the intended territory is occluded.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who decides which embolization device to use?
A trained interventionalist selects the agent and delivery system based on the target vessel and indication; this article is educational and not a treatment recommendation.
What vessel sizes can the MultiBEAM plug occlude?
According to its product page, the MultiBEAM Embolization Plug is suitable for occlusion of arteries from 2.6 to 6.2 mm, is offered in 4 to 16 mm diameters, and is delivered through a 4F or 5F catheter.
Is embolization a substitute for surgery?
INVAMED's MultiBEAM product page states the transcatheter plug "provides great benefit instead of surgical treatment in suitable patients" with reportedly high success and low complication rates, but suitability is always a clinical determination.
About INVAMED
INVAMED states it maintains a growing portfolio of international patents across its device range. INVAMED operates a dedicated R&D center (INVAcenter) focused on minimally invasive device development.
Clinical and Technical Context
Because embolization is usually intended to be permanent, precise vessel selection and sizing are emphasized so that only the intended territory is occluded. The occluding agents fall into families such as detachable coils, vascular plugs, liquid embolic agents, and particles, each with a different mechanism of vessel closure. Transarterial approaches also include transarterial radioembolization (TARE) and other targeted therapies delivered through dedicated microcatheters, always as determined by the treating interventional team. INVAMED's Spider Peripheral Detachable Coil System provides detachable and pushable options intended for such peripheral applications.
Related on INVAMED
- Embolization — product category
- What is a liquid embolic agent (EVOH or NBCA)?
- How long is recovery after embolization?
- What is embolization and how does it work?
Important Disclaimer
The information here is provided for educational purposes and to describe device technology; it is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Only a licensed healthcare provider can determine whether a given procedure or device is appropriate for a specific patient. INVAMED products are restricted to use by qualified professionals following the official IFU. Regulatory clearance and labeling differ between regions, and not all products or indications are available in every market.
Reviewed by the INVAMED Medical Affairs team. Content is educational and technical in nature.