At Last – An Artery Roto-Rooter

Peripheral artery disease is a serious condition where plaques of atherosclerosis build up in the arteries of the legs (and sometimes the arms), impeding the blood flow and hence oxygen delivery. Now someone has developed a Roto-Rooter for such diseased arteries; it’s called the SilverHawk Plaque Excision System.

When the SilverHawk is used on an artery, in four out of five cases the artery remains open for a year. That’s a pretty good result; it’s better than putting in a stent, or having bypass surgery or angioplasty for the blocked part. The spinning, slicing blades of the Skyhawk seem to offer a new option for the poor victim of peripheral artery disease. And it’s FDA approved! You just have to find a surgeon who knows how to do it.

Comments

[Len Torres]

Plaque develops inside the artery walls. How does the instrument prevent damaging the inside lining of the arteries?

[Robert Griffith]

Len:
I don't know if this article will give you the answer you are seeking, but it does say more about the SkyHawk method than most . . .
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/549321_4
Bob G.