NATICK, Mass., March 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) announces the U.S. and international launch of the WallFlex^® Biliary Transhepatic Stent System.  This third-generation stent platform is now available with a percutaneous delivery system designed for use by interventional radiologists in the palliative treatment of biliary strictures produced by malignant tumors.  The WallFlex Biliary Transhepatic Fully Covered Stent System is also available for the treatment of benign biliary strictures in CE marked countries.

"We are very excited that the WallFlex Stent technology, originally designed for gastroenterologists, is now available for interventional radiologists and the patients we typically treat through percutaneous procedures," said Kelvin Hong, M.D., Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.  "The WallFlex Biliary Transhepatic Stent System offers the latest advances in self-expanding metal stent technology with a delivery system designed specifically for the interventional treatment of malignant biliary strictures."

The WallFlex Biliary Transhepatic Stent is available in fully covered, partially covered and uncovered versions in multiple sizes to accommodate different anatomical and clinical requirements.  The covered stents have a silicone polymer Permalume^® coating designed to reduce the potential for tumor/tissue ingrowth, and an integrated retrieval loop for endoscopic removal or repositioning during the initial procedure in patients that may have an ERCP[1] performed.  

"By providing interventional radiologists with a third-generation stent platform supported by strong clinical evidence and innovative features, Boston Scientific continues to deliver industry-leading technologies that enhance patient quality of life," said David Pierce, President of the Endoscopy Division at Boston Scientific.  "The launch of the WallFlex Biliary Transhepatic Stent System extends the ability of this technology to treat more patients with biliary strictures."

The WallFlex Biliary RX Stents and the WallFlex Biliary Transhepatic Stents are CE-Marked and have received FDA clearance for the palliative treatment of malignant biliary strictures.  Additionally, the WallFlex Biliary RX Fully Covered Stent and the WallFlex Biliary Transhepatic Fully Covered Stent System are CE-Marked for the treatment of benign biliary strictures.

For more information on the WallFlex System, visit the Boston Scientific Endoscopy Channel at www.youtube.com/bostonscientificendo. 

The safety and effectiveness of the WallFlex Biliary RX Stent System and the WallFlex Biliary Transhepatic Stent System for use in the vascular system have not been established. 

About Boston Scientific

Boston Scientific is a worldwide developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical devices that are used in a broad range of interventional medical specialties.  For more information, please visit: www.bostonscientific.com.  

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Factors that may cause such differences include, among other things: future economic, competitive, reimbursement and regulatory conditions; new product introductions; demographic trends; intellectual property; litigation; financial market conditions; and future business decisions made by us and our competitors.  All of these factors are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of them are beyond our control.  For a further list and description of these and other important risks and uncertainties that may affect our future operations, see Part I, Item 1A – Risk Factors in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which we may update in Part II, Item 1A – Risk Factors in Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q we have filed or will file hereafter.  We disclaim any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in our expectations or in events, conditions or circumstances on which those expectations may be based, or that may affect the likelihood that actual results will differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements.  This cautionary statement is applicable to all forward-looking statements contained in this document.

[1] Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography

SOURCE Boston Scientific Corporation