Volcano announces first human use of its OCT imaging catheter

San Diego, CA--The first human procedure using the Volcano optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging catheter has been performed by Dr. Patrick Serruys at the Thoraxcenter (Rotterdam, Netherlands). Volcano OCT is designed to complement the company's line of IVUS imaging catheters and pressure guidewires used for coronary imaging and lesion assessment.

Volcano acquired the OCT technology through its purchase of CardioSpectra at the end of 2007.

"Volcano is committed to being the leader in intravascular imaging, both to complement everyday PCI technique, and to further the understanding of atherosclerotic disease progression," said Scott Huennekens, president and CEO of Volcano. "Our investment in this OCT product line underscores that commitment, and opens a series of new clinical applications and opportunities to complement our existing product line. We are delighted to be underway with our OCT effort just four months after completing the acquisition."

Volcano is working to incorporate OCT functionality into its s5i IVUS platform, as well as standalone OCT systems. Volcano's OCT imaging platform provides high-resolution images in the 10-15 micron range, opening the door for new applications to complement both IVUS and angiography.

"The high resolution OCT images provide a glimpse at structural detail not seen before by other imaging modalities," said Michel Lussier, president of Volcano Europe. "We believe that OCT has the potential to identify thin-cap fibro-atheromas, clearly highlight intraluminal thrombus, and assess the complete healing of novel drug-eluting stent designs. Volcano is committed to exploring the various clinical benefits of our OCT platform through detailed data-driven study design and mutually beneficial partnerships with other therapy companies."