Which brands manufacture covered biliary stents?

Several well-known medical device manufacturers produce covered biliary stents. These stents are typically made of metal, such as stainless steel or nitinol, and are coated with materials like polyurethane or ePTFE (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene) to prevent tissue ingrowth and migration. Here are some of the major brands that manufacture covered biliary stents:

1. Boston Scientific

• Product Line: WallFlex™ Covered Biliary Stent

• Description: Boston Scientific is one of the leading companies in the field of endoscopic stenting. The WallFlex™ Covered Biliary Stent is designed with a self-expanding metal stent (SEMS) covered with a polymeric material to reduce the risk of tumor ingrowth and migration.

• Key Features: Offers good flexibility and conformability to the bile ducts, available in various sizes to meet clinical needs.

2. Cook Medical

• Product Line: Cook® Covered Biliary Stent

• Description: Cook Medical is known for its range of interventional products, and their covered biliary stents are widely used in patients with obstructed bile ducts. These stents come with a polymer cover to prevent tissue ingrowth and are available in different lengths and diameters.

• Key Features: Designed for both malignant and benign biliary obstructions, with radiopaque markers for easy visualization.

3. Medtronic

• Product Line: Dynamax™ Self-Expanding Covered Biliary Stent

• Description: Medtronic's Dynamax™ Self-Expanding Covered Biliary Stent is used for palliative treatment in patients with bile duct obstruction, especially for those with malignant conditions.

• Key Features: Designed to prevent migration and tumor ingrowth, and comes with an easy-to-deploy delivery system for endoscopic insertion.

4. Micro-Tech (Nanjing)

• Product Line: Micro-Tech Covered Biliary Stent

• Description: Micro-Tech is a leading Chinese manufacturer specializing in endoscopic and interventional products, and their covered biliary stents are used globally.

• Key Features: Flexible, durable, and easy to deploy, with excellent biocompatibility.

5. Taewoong Medical

• Product Line: Niti-S™ Covered Biliary Stent

• Description: Taewoong Medical is a global leader in self-expanding metal stents and offers the Niti-S™ Covered Biliary Stent. This stent is designed for both benign and malignant biliary obstruction.

• Key Features: Offers flexibility, ease of deployment, and a highly flexible cover to minimize complications.

6. Hobbs Endoscopy

• Product Line: Hobbs® Covered Biliary Stent

• Description: Hobbs Endoscopy manufactures high-quality covered biliary stents for palliative care in patients with biliary obstruction.

• Key Features: Their stents are designed for ease of deployment and optimal coverage to reduce the risk of migration and tumor ingrowth.

7. EndoFlex

• Product Line: EndoFlex® Covered Biliary Stent

• Description: EndoFlex manufactures a range of self-expanding metallic stents for biliary use. Their covered biliary stents are designed for both malignant and benign conditions.

• Key Features: High flexibility and an expandable design for effective placement.

8. B. Braun

• Product Line: Protec® Covered Biliary Stent

• Description: B. Braun offers the Protec® Covered Biliary Stent, a product designed for effective stent placement in the bile duct to alleviate obstruction.

• Key Features: Known for its biocompatibility and the durable, smooth surface that reduces the risk of complications like migration or tumor ingrowth.

Considerations When Choosing a Stent:

• Material: Covered stents are usually coated with polyurethane or ePTFE for effective tissue ingrowth prevention.

• Length & Diameter: Stents come in different sizes, and the choice of size depends on the patient’s anatomy and the obstruction.

• Ease of Deployment: Some stents come with specialized delivery systems that make the stent easier to place during procedures like ERCP.

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