"Volcano Corporation (NASDAQ:VOLC), manufacturer and developer of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), functional measurement (FM) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) products designed to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of coronary and peripheral vascular disease, announced the 1,000th worldwide placement of the newest s5 and s5i integrated imaging consoles since the formal launch in April of 2006. This announcement comes just prior to Volcano's participation in the EuroPCR 2008 Congress, to be held in Barcelona, Spain, from May 12-15th. During the PCR, Volcano will highlight the s5i integrated Imaging System, complete with two new functionality options, which enable high frequency rotational IVUS and FFR to operate on the same platform as Volcano's phased array IVUS catheters.
Scott Huennekens, President and Chief Executive Officer of Volcano, commented, "Reaching this milestone as quickly as we have is a clear indication of the clinical adoption of IVUS and FFR, and the competitiveness of our product. More and more physicians are using intravascular imaging to measure lesion significance and improve PCI technique. The ease of use and flexibility of our newest systems have been very well received. These new systems are gaining traction with both new IVUS users, as well as those who are looking to replace their legacy IVUS technology."
The newest Volcano s5i integrated system now available for evaluation is the only imaging system that accommodates phased array IVUS, high frequency rotational IVUS, and integrated FFR lesion severity assessment. Mr. Huennekens continued, "By adding high resolution rotational IVUS and pressure-based FFR to our phased array s5 imaging platform, we provide a level of technology, clinical utility and convenience that is un-matched in the intravascular imaging field. No other company provides a system that integrates this level of functionality and convenience in a single platform. Our message now is simple: Volcano offers physicians all three technologies on one system -- you can choose which technology is best for your patient and clinical team."
Earlier generation consoles included only one of the three technologies now available on the s5i. If a hospital wanted to equip a new lab with all three technologies, they would have to acquire three separate consoles, each with a different measurement modality, training requirements and data storage protocols. The Volcano s5i can now accommodate three primary intravascular diagnostic tools in regular use by cardiologists today (high frequency rotational IVUS, fast and simple phased array IVUS, and pressure-based FFR guidewires) on a single platform, making Volcano's s5 and s5i imaging systems more flexible than ever before."
