Reflow Medical Unveils U.S. Launch of Next-Generation Cora Flex® and Cora Force® Torqueable Microcatheters
Reflow Medical, Inc. has announced the U.S. commercial launch of its next-generation Cora Flex® and Cora Force® Torqueable Microcatheters, marking a significant expansion of its coronary intervention portfolio. The newly introduced devices are designed to address the growing clinical challenges associated with complex coronary artery disease, offering enhanced performance characteristics intended to improve physician control and procedural outcomes in demanding cases.
The launch reflects Reflow Medical’s continued focus on developing advanced endovascular technologies tailored to the needs of interventional cardiologists working in increasingly complex anatomical scenarios. As coronary interventions become more sophisticated, physicians require tools that can navigate tortuous vessels, cross resistant lesions and maintain precision under challenging conditions. The Cora Torqueable Microcatheter platform has been engineered with these requirements in mind, incorporating multiple design refinements to improve usability and performance.
At the core of the new generation devices are enhancements related to spinning freedom and torque transmission—two critical attributes that influence a physician’s ability to guide a catheter through intricate vascular pathways. These improvements are designed to enable smoother navigation and more controlled lesion crossing, particularly in cases involving heavily calcified or fibrotic blockages.
The updated microcatheters feature advancements in several key structural components, including the hub design, shaft construction and distal profile. Together, these refinements contribute to improved handling, pushability and trackability, allowing physicians to maneuver the catheter with greater ease and confidence. Such features are particularly important in complex coronary procedures, where even minor limitations in device performance can impact procedural success.
The product line includes two distinct configurations tailored to different clinical scenarios. The Cora Flex Torqueable Microcatheter is optimized for navigating tortuous vessels, septal branches and microchannels. Its design emphasizes flexibility and responsiveness, making it well-suited for delicate pathways where precision and adaptability are essential.
In contrast, the Cora Force Torqueable Microcatheter is engineered to provide additional support in more resistant environments. Equipped with a metal tip, this version delivers increased pushability and tip force, enabling physicians to tackle more challenging lesions, including those characterized by significant calcification or fibrosis. By offering two complementary options, Reflow Medical aims to provide clinicians with the versatility needed to address a wide spectrum of coronary anatomies.
Both devices are built on the company’s proprietary Cora Tech platform, which incorporates a distinctive no-liner construction combined with PTFE-coated coils. This design allows for unrestricted torque rotation, a feature that enhances spinning freedom and reduces the risk of mechanical limitations during procedures. Additionally, the inclusion of a stainless-steel braid supports controlled torque transmission and overall catheter stability, ensuring that rotational movements applied by the physician are accurately translated to the distal tip.
The ability to maintain predictable torque transmission is particularly valuable when navigating complex vascular structures. In tortuous vessels, where multiple bends and शाखing pathways can complicate device advancement, precise control over catheter movement is essential. The Cora platform’s engineering aims to address these challenges by delivering consistent and reliable performance throughout the procedure.
Clinical feedback has played a central role in shaping the development of these devices. Garrett B. Wong, a Clinical Professor of Medicine at UC Davis Medical Center, was among the physicians who contributed real-world insights during the iterative design process. According to Dr. Wong, the new microcatheters represent a meaningful advancement in interventional tools and are likely to become a standard component of his daily practice.
He highlighted the devices’ spinning freedom as a particularly notable feature, emphasizing that the ability to rotate the catheter without risking guidewire lock-up provides a significant advantage in complex procedures. This capability can be especially beneficial when attempting to cross difficult lesions, where maintaining control and minimizing complications are critical.
From an engineering standpoint, the development of the Cora Torqueable Microcatheters focused on optimizing key performance parameters. Outhit Bouasaysy, Vice President of Engineering at Reflow Medical, noted that the design improvements were driven by a targeted approach to enhancing rotational behavior, torque transmission and overall handling characteristics. He emphasized that direct physician feedback was instrumental in refining the devices to meet real-world clinical needs.
The launch also reflects broader strategic efforts by Reflow Medical to strengthen its position in the coronary intervention market. Dejan Ilic, Vice President of Global Marketing at the company, described the introduction of the next-generation Cora platform as an important milestone in expanding the company’s coronary portfolio. He noted that these innovations are intended to better support patients with coronary artery disease by equipping clinicians with more effective tools for complex procedures.
In recent years, Reflow Medical has been actively increasing its presence in the coronary segment, complementing its existing focus on peripheral vascular disease. This expansion includes ongoing clinical research initiatives aimed at addressing unmet needs in coronary care. Among these efforts is the DEEPER CORONARY study, which is evaluating the Spur® Elute Coronary Sirolimus-Eluting Retrievable Stent System for the treatment of coronary in-stent restenosis—a condition in which previously placed stents become narrowed again over time.
The introduction of the Cora Torqueable Microcatheters aligns with this broader commitment to innovation and clinical advancement. As interventional cardiology continues to evolve, the demand for specialized devices capable of addressing increasingly complex cases is expected to grow. Technologies that enhance precision, improve procedural efficiency and reduce complications are likely to play a central role in shaping the future of cardiovascular care.
In summary, the U.S. launch of the next-generation Cora Flex and Cora Force Torqueable Microcatheters represents a significant step forward for Reflow Medical. By combining advanced engineering with clinician-driven design, the company aims to deliver solutions that address the real-world challenges of complex coronary interventions. With improved torque control, enhanced navigation capabilities and a focus on versatility, these devices have the potential to support better outcomes for patients undergoing treatment for coronary artery disease.
Reflow Medical is a global company that partners with leading physicians to develop innovative technologies addressing unmet clinical needs in the endovascular treatment of complex cardiovascular disease. The company’s portfolio includes coronary and peripheral microcatheters, crossing catheters, and its proprietary Retrievable Scaffold Therapy (RST) platform. The coronary Cora Catheters™ line is FDA approved. The peripheral product line includes Wingman™, Spex®, Spex LP, and Spur®, which have FDA clearance and CE Mark registration. Reflow Medical is headquartered in San Clemente, California.
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