Boston Scientific Announces Global Launch of Expect™ 19 Flex Endoscopic Ultrasound Aspiration Needle

NATICK, Mass., Feb. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) announces the global launch of the Expect 19 Flex Endoscopic Ultrasound Aspiration Needle, used for acquiring tissue samples under Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) guidance for cancer diagnosis in organs adjacent to the gastrointestinal tract.  The Expect 19 Flex Needle is designed with a Nitinol construction for improved flexibility compared to existing EUS-Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) devices and a large diameter for expanded diagnostic capabilities. 

Endoscopic ultrasound is a non-surgical, less-invasive procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce detailed images of the gastrointestinal tract and adjacent organs, including the pancreas, liver, bile duct and mediastinal space.  To complement EUS, Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) is often used to collect tissue samples for cancer diagnosis.  Data have shown that EUS-FNA procedures are associated with improved survival rates for pancreatic cancer patients due to more informed, stage-appropriate disease management.[1]

"High-quality diagnostic samples are critical for accurately assessing malignancies and choosing the appropriate treatment path for patients," said Shyam Varadarajulu, M.D., Chief of Endoscopy, University of Alabama at Birmingham.  "The improved design of the Expect 19 Flex Needle allows for access to challenging anatomy and sampling of solid and cystic lesions where traditional needles of this size can't be used.  These new features provide an important advance in EUS-guided diagnosis."

The Expect 19 Flex Needle is made of Nitinol, which offers improved flexibility and resistance to deformation compared to traditional stainless steel needles.  The echogenic pattern provides excellent visibility and precise needle guidance within the targeted organ.  As a result, physicians may be able to more easily and accurately obtain a tissue sample.

"The Expect 19 Flex Needle provides physicians with a clinically differentiated product designed to help improve patient care," said David Pierce, President of Boston Scientific's Endoscopy Division.  "This important launch broadens our leading Endoscopy portfolio and highlights our commitment to delivering advanced technologies to diagnose gastrointestinal diseases." 

For more information on EUS-FNA procedures, visit the Boston Scientific Endoscopy Channel at www.youtube.com/bostonscientificendo.

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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[1] Ngamruengphong, et al. "EUS and survival in patients with pancreatic cancer: a population-based study," Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, 2010. 72 (1) 78-83.

SOURCE Boston Scientific Corporation