PARIS, May 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Cordis announced it has obtained CE mark for its EMPIRA(TM) and EMPIRA(TM) NC RX PTCA* Dilatation Catheters for the treatment of coronary artery disease. The EMPIRA(TM) systems are designed to enable interventional cardiologists to open patients' narrowed coronary arteries during angioplasty and stenting procedures.

The EMPIRA(TM) family of PTCA dilatation catheters incorporates several design and technology changes that have the potential to improve crossability and recrossability, allowing a physician to reach even hard to treat lesions. Both catheters utilise the next generation DURALYN(R) Flex balloon material which is 50% more flexible than the DURALYN(R) balloon material used in the current dilatation catheters[1]. EMPIRA(TM) will be made available in selected sizes to a limited number of centres in Europe during the summer. A full European commercial launch of EMPIRA(TM) is planned for Q4 2011.

"The EMPIRA(TM) family of PTCA dilatation catheters offers our most advanced technology designed to treat challenging coronary artery disease," said Campbell Rogers, MD, Cordis Chief Scientific Officer, Global Head R&D. "Cordis worked closely with our physician-customers and incorporated their feedback into the design of these next generation devices. We believe the unique design of the EMPIRA(TM) and EMPIRA(TM) NC PTCA Dilatation Catheters will meet physicians' needs and expand the array of high quality tools that we offer to physicians to treat their patients with coronary artery disease."

Cordis Radial Solutions - Integrated Solutions for Transradial Care

Cordis announces the launch in Europe of Radial Solutions, a complete portfolio for transradial interventions. New to the portfolio is the Cordis RADIALSOURCE(TM) Transradial Access Kit. RADIALSOURCE(TM) transradial sheaths are designed to provide cardiologists with atraumatic and smooth access to the radial artery during diagnostic and interventional procedures.

The RADIALSOURCE(TM) transradial sheath incorporates a new tapering design in conjunction with a lubricious coating, offering the benefits of low insertion force with a smooth atraumatic entry, while enabling stability during procedure and ease of removal. Physicians will be offered a choice of kit with a bare metal or a polymer-coated guidewire.

Cordis Radial Solutions encompass Cordis' well known guiding and diagnostic catheters with new specific radial shapes, transradial sheath introducer, guidewires and professional education training.

"Radial access, with much fewer bleeding complications is becoming the dominant access site in many countries. To meet this need Cordis has introduced their 'Radial Solutions portfolio' which includes a comprehensive range of dedicated radial sheaths and introducer options and have a haemostasis device on the way. As a keen radial interventionalist it is great to see Cordis taking such an active interest in radial access" said Douglas G. Fraser, MB BChir MRCP DM, Interventional Cardiologist, Manchester Heart Centre, Manchester Royal Infirmary UK.

About Cordis Corporation

For more than 50 years, Cordis Corporation, a Johnson & Johnson company, has been a worldwide leader in the development and manufacture of interventional vascular technology. Through the company's innovation, research and development, Cordis partners with interventional cardiologists worldwide to treat millions of patients who suffer from vascular disease.

Reference:

Cordis data on file, 2010/2011.

*Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty