The newest technique is a device called the Silverhawk Excision System. It is a device which is inserted into a clogged peripheral artery through a catheter inserted into the groin. Once in place the Silverhawk uses a rotating blade to shave away the plaque. The plaque is stored in a nosecone, and when full, the nosecone is pulled out and emptied, and then reinserted to scrape more plaque.The device has been in use for more than a year at the Center, and has had a stellar success rate, offering a minimally invasive procedure with immediate and long-term benefits.
The Silverhawk system offers an excellent alternative for PAD sufferers, with disease that would be difficult to treat with more conventional devices. For many Americans suffering with PAD, those handicapped by the pain of walking or facing limb amputation, the Silverhawk system can provide a
new outlook on life.
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