Toro Neurovascular has announced the successful treatment of the first patient using its Toro 88 SuperBore aspiration catheter as part of a first-in-man clinical study. The procedure—performed by Nobuyuki Sakai and his staff at Seijinkai Shimizu Hospital in Kyoto, Japan—marks “a key milestone in Toro’s mission to transform stroke treatment through cutting-edge technology”, as stated in a company press release.
“Toro 88’s performance was exceptional, particularly in accessing the intricate anatomy of the cerebral vasculature,” Sakai commented. “Its ability to efficiently remove large clot burden and navigate challenging conditions is impressive. I am pleased to be part of this study, which has the potential to significantly enhance stroke treatment and improve patient outcomes.”
Toro’s innovative catheter technology is poised to establish a new standard for navigating complex neurovascular anatomy, the company further claims. Featuring MicroFlex technology—a reinforced microwire design—the Toro 88 catheter was engineered from the ground up for enhanced control and navigation through tortuous, challenging conditions. Its advanced support profile is designed to provide exceptional manoeuvrability, precision and efficient access to the M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery (MCA). With a vessel-matched 0.088-inch lumen, Toro 88 aims to enable complete clot ingestion, potentially transforming patient outcomes, the company’s recent release adds.
“Our goal is to improve patient outcomes through innovation, and we are excited to showcase how our technology may streamline clot access and removal,” said Hyung Posalit, chief executive officer of Toro. “We are committed to developing high-performance devices that make a meaningful difference in stroke patient outcomes. This milestone is a testament to our ongoing efforts to create real-world benefits for patients.”
Toro states that it is driven by the potential to make a “profound impact” on thrombectomy procedures, adding that the first use of the Toro 88 SuperBore catheter in Japan marks a “critical step” towards realising this vision. The company believes that its devices will offer physicians an improved first-line stroke treatment, possibly delivering faster and more effective results.
Toro’s catheters have the potential to significantly elevate the standard of stroke care and expand access to stroke therapy in developing regions, the release further notes. However, this is subject to regulatory approvals, as the company’s Toro 88 SuperBore aspiration catheter is currently not commercially available for use in any country.
