Gore Launches Lower Profile GORE® EXCLUDER® AAA Endoprosthesis Contralateral Leg Components in US and Europe

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. --(Business Wire)--

W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. (Gore) has announced the US and European launch of lower profile contralateral leg components for the GORE® EXCLUDER® AAA Endoprosthesis used to treat abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). The reduced profile sizes allow the 12-20 mm contralateral leg component to be used with a 12 Fr GORE® DrySeal Sheath, the 23 mm to be used with a 14 Fr introducer sheath, and the 27 mm to be used with a 15 Fr introducer sheath. These contralateral leg components continue the series of low profile GORE® EXCLUDER® Devices launching this year which also include the lower profile 31 mm diameter trunk-ipsilateral leg and 32 mm aortic extender components and te new 18 Fr compatible 35 mm trunk-ipsilateral leg and 36 mm aortic extender components announced in January.

No changes have been made to the GORE EXCLUDER Device - instead, Gore has implemented an innovative process using ePTFE materials to constrain the device onto the catheter. The lowering of contralateral leg sizing exemplifies Gore's commitment to improving patient safety while maintaining ease-of-use for the delivery of the GORE EXCLUDER Device. The new reduced profile 31 mm and 35 mm trunk-ipsilateral leg components will only be available with the GORE® C3 (News - Alert)® Delivery System.

"The reduced profile components provide physicians with a proven and durable endovascular option to better treat abdominal aortic aneurysms," said Ross Milner, MD, Associate Professor of Surgery, Co-Director, Center for Aortic Diseases, and Associate Program Director, Vascular Surgery Fellowship at the University of Chicago Medical Center. "Reducing the access requirements allows more patients to benefit from endovascular treatment, a critical development as minimally invasive AAA repair becomes the preferred method of treatment."

The GORE EXCLUDER AAA Endoprosthesis is an endovascular stent-graft that seals off the aneurysm and creates a new path for blood flow. The device is inserted through a small incision in the patient's leg using a catheter-based delivery technique. Once the physician has positioned the graft in the diseased aorta, the GORE C3 Delivery System uniquely and intuitively enables repositioning of the stent-graft. The ability to reposition the device may minimize complications that could occur if the graft needs to be moved after the initial deployment.

"The new reduced profile sizing options for the GORE EXCLUDER Device offer physicians a wider range of components that will allow them to provide the best possible patient care," said Ryan Takeuchi, Gore Aortic Business Leader. "All of our product enhancements are driven by Gore's commitment to delivering innovation by design as reflected in our roll-out of additional lower profile configurations throughout the year."

ABOUT W. L. GORE & ASSOCIATES

The Gore Medical Products Division has provided creative therapeutic solutions to complex medical problems for more than 35 years. During that time, more than 35 million innovative Gore Medical Devices have been implanted, saving and improving the quality of lives worldwide. The extensive Gore Medical family of products includes vascular grafts, endovascular and interventional devices, surgical meshes for hernia repair, soft tissue reconstruction, staple line reinforcement and sutures for use in vascular, cardiac, and general surgery. Gore is one of a select few companies to appear on all of the U.S. "100 Best Companies to Work For" lists since the rankings debuted in 1984. For more information, visit www.goremedical.com.

Products listed may not be available in all markets. GORE^®, C3^®, EXCLUDER^®,and designs are trademarks of W. L. Gore & Associates.