ABBOTT PARK, Ill., October 17, 2011 / PRNewswire / - Abbott (NYSE: ABT) today announced that research ABSORBER ™ bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) has been recognized as the winner of the medical device on the wall Street Journal 2011 Technology Innovation Awards. ABSORB is an implantable device that restores blood flow by opening a blocked artery and support to the vessel until the device dissolves. Once in place and absorb, dissolved in about two years, leaving patients with a treated vessel free of a permanent metallic implant.
The first drug-eluting device of its kind for coronary artery disease and absorb, is polylactide, a proven biocompatible material that is commonly used in medical implants such as dissolvable sutures. Because a permanent metallic implant is not left behind, of course ship functions can be restored, which is one of the features that make this device is an important innovation for patients in the assessment and treatment of coronary artery disease.
"Absorb represents the best in scientific innovation, as it has the potential to change the way physicians practice medicine and improve outcomes for their patients," said Robert B. Hance, senior vice president, Vascular, Abbott. "We are very pleased that this innovation has been developed in the U.S. for nearly a decade, has the potential to advance the treatment of patients around the world. Abbott is honored to receive this prestigious award."
In January 2011, Abbott announced that absorb received CE Mark in Europe for the treatment of coronary artery disease. In the United States and absorb, currently under development and not available for sale. ABSORB is being evaluated in 40 clinical centers in 20 countries around the world.
In 2010, Abbott was a finalist in the category of Medical Device Innovation Awards Wall Street Journal for its technology research MitraClip ® System, a catheter-based device for the treatment of mitral regurgitation. In 2009, Abbott Ibis T5000 biosensor system, designed to detect and characterize a wide range of infectious agents, was honored as the category winner in Medicine, Biotechnology and received the Gold Award in general in all categories. In 2007, Abbott's HUMIRA ® was a finalist in the category of Medical Biotechnology as a self-injectable treatment for Crohn's disease.
In its 11th year, The Wall Street Journal Technology Innovation Awards applications evaluated on three criteria: whether the innovation breaks with conventional ideas or processes in your field, if it goes beyond marginal improvements in existing technology, and if you have a big impact in your field or in the technology of the future. This year, The Wall Street Journal received 605 projects from companies, organizations and individuals in 31 countries. The judges chose 35 winners and finalists in 16 categories. The independent panel of judges included individuals from venture capital firms, universities and other organizations and companies.
About Abbott Vascular
Abbott Vascular is a global leader in cardiac and vascular care with market leading products and an industry leading portfolio. Abbott Vascular offers a comprehensive portfolio of cardiac and vascular devices, including products for coronary artery disease, vessel closure, endovascular disease and structural heart disease.
About Abbott
Abbott is a global, broad-based pharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. The company employs about 90,000 people and markets its products in over 130 countries.