Stryker has announced the commercial launch of the Surpass Elite flow diverter in the USA, Europe and South Korea. According to the company, this next-generation device represents a “significant advancement” in flow diversion, combining an upgraded implant design with a proprietary surface modification for enhanced performance and reduced thrombin generation.
“I have been fortunate to be part of the development of the Surpass Elite flow diverter, Stryker’s most sophisticated flow-diverting stent to date,” said Alex Coon (Carondelet Neurological Institute, Tucson, USA). “My early experience suggests that this device gives physicians the exact blend of device opening, vessel-wall apposition and surface treatment for which we have all been waiting a decade.”
Stryker notes in a press release that its Surpass Elite flow diverter introduces BioStealth Surface—a new surface modification developed through a proprietary neutralisation process that creates a more thromboresistant cobalt chromium, and is backed by both in-vitro and in-vivo studies.
Surpass Elite also introduces a “fundamentally improved implant design”, engineered with a higher braid angle and optimised heat treatment to enable better opening, improved vessel-wall apposition, and reduced manipulation during deployment, the release adds. Stryker says that these enhancements address common procedural challenges physicians face in flow diversion, and will therefore help to streamline deployment and build confidence during complex cases.
“The Surpass Elite flow diverter captures the essence of a cobalt chromium device, delivering outstanding performance and exceptional ease of use,” commented Alejandro Tomasello (Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain).
This “blend of innovation and usability” is echoed by others with firsthand experience and deep familiarity with the device, Stryker further claims.
The Surpass Elite flow diverter received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval and a CE mark in 2024, with Stryker implementing a measured rollout focused on physician training and real-world clinical validation before scaling commercially.
“This cadenced launch strategy reflects our commitment to clinical excellence,” noted Jim Marucci, president of Stryker’s neurovascular division. “After carefully validating performance across a diverse set of early cases, we’re pleased to move to this next step and help address unmet customer needs.”
