NATICK, Mass., Oct. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) today announced that its WallFlex® Biliary RX Fully Covered Stent has received CE Mark approval for the treatment of benign biliary strictures.  

"The WallFlex Biliary RX Fully Covered Stent has proved effective in the management of malignant biliary strictures, and I'm pleased that physicians in Europe and other CE Mark countries can now use this stent to treat benign biliary strictures," said Professor Jacques Deviere, M.D., Ph.D., Hopital Erasme in Brussels.  "The WallFlex Stent incorporates the latest innovations in self-expanding metal stent technology and may provide significant benefits as a less-invasive alternative to surgery in these patients."

"This new indication gives me the confidence to perform what I have found to be the most effective therapy – metal stent placement – during the initial ERCP(1) procedure in patients where previously I would have waited for a confirmed diagnosis of the stricture," said Adrian Hatfield, M.D., University College London Hospital.  "It may help to reduce the number of procedures my patients must undergo, while containing costs and providing the best possible care."

The WallFlex Biliary RX Stent is constructed of braided, Platinol™ (platinum-cored Nitinol) wire and features three key attributes: radial force to help maintain duct patency and resist migration, flexibility to aid in conforming to tortuous anatomies, and full-length radiopacity to enhance stent visibility under fluoroscopy.  The WallFlex Biliary RX family of stents is available in fully covered, partially covered and uncovered versions.  The covered stents have a silicone polymer Permalume® coating designed to reduce the potential for tumor/tissue ingrowth, and an integrated retrieval loop for removing or repositioning the stent in the event of incorrect placement during the initial procedure or for removal up to 12 months following initial placement in benign strictures for the fully covered stents.

"The WallFlex Biliary RX Stent leverages existing Boston Scientific technologies, while advancing performance with new features based on physician feedback," said Michael Phalen, Senior Vice President, and President of Boston Scientific's Endoscopy Division.  "With our full line of WallFlex Biliary, Enteral and Esophageal Stents, Boston Scientific offers the most comprehensive range of innovative treatment options to diagnose, palliate and treat patients with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract."

The complete line of WallFlex Biliary RX Stents -- Fully Covered, Partially Covered and Uncovered -- have previously received CE Mark and FDA clearance for the palliative treatment of malignant biliary strictures.  The WallFlex Stent is the most frequently implanted biliary metal stent worldwide.  

Boston Scientific at UEGW

The WallFlex family of self-expanding metal stents will be available for hands-on demonstration at the United European Gastroenterology Week (UEGW), October 23 - 27 in Barcelona.

Boston Scientific will host a symposium titled "Controversies in Biliary Stenting," chaired by Professor Guido Costamagna, M.D., Policlinico Gemelli, Rome, which will take place on October 27 from 7:00 - 8:00 a.m. (local time) in the CCIB Congress Center, Room 112, Level 1.  The symposium will include the following presentations:

• "Stenting for Benign Biliary Strictures: Whether, What and When?" by Professor Horst Neuhaus, M.D., Evangelisches Krankenhaus, Dusseldorf
• "Preoperative Therapy and Stenting: A Surgeon's Perspective," by Professor Mustapha Adham, M.D., Hopital Edouard Herriot, Lyon
• "A Metal Stent for Every Extrahepatic Biliary Stenosis?" by Professor Thierry Ponchon, M.D., Hopital Edouard Herriot, Lyon

The WallFlex Biliary RX Fully Covered Stent is not approved in the U.S. for the treatment of benign biliary strictures.  The safety and effectiveness of the WallFlex Biliary RX Stent System for use in the vascular system have not been established.  

(1) Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography

About Boston Scientific

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

About Boston Scientific Endoscopy

Boston Scientific Endoscopy develops innovative technology for less invasive, more efficient gastrointestinal procedures.  

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SOURCE Boston Scientific Corporation