X*Calibur AOD is an endovascular device designed to seal the necks of intracranial aneurysms and facilitate vessel healing, while maintaining blood flow to side branches crossed by the AOD. It provides a novel approach to the endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms that is based on the concept of flow-diversion, which is effected by a semi-permeable membrane on a stent-based delivery platform.
In extensive animal, and initial human, testing, X*Calibur AOD has been shown to combine the best features of surgical clipping and endovascular coiling,- (the current therapeutic modalities for the treatment of cerebral aneurysms) by affording a minimally invasive endovascular approach (like coiling), while providing definitive exclusion of the aneurysm from the circulation as well as vascular reconstruction (like surgical clipping). By altering local haemodynamics within and around an intracranial aneurysm, X*Calibur AOD causes progressive stasis and coagulation within an unruptured aneurysm, leading to complete occlusion of the aneurysm. At the same time the semi-permeable nature of the membrane maintains blood flow to the side branches. Merlin has exclusive rights to this unique, highly thromboresistant membrane.
The angiograms depicted here illustrate the effectiveness of the X*Calibur AOD in obliterating intracranial aneurysms. Within minutes of deployment, blood flow into the aneurysm has virtually ceased. All side branches crossed by the X*Calibur AOD remained patent.
X*Calibur AOD is scheduled to commence formal clinical trials in Europe in the Autumn of 2008.
