Technology 2017-10-12T21:04:53+00:00

The LimFlow System

“I have seen patients with perfect
restoration of blood flow.”

Dr. Michael Lichtenberg, Klinikum Arnsberg, Arnsberg, Germany

Dr. Michael Lichtenberg,
Klinikum Arsnberg, Arnsberg, Germany

As a vascular specialist, treating PAD and CLI patients can be frustrating and disheartening. Once they are no longer candidates for endovascular treatments or bypass surgery, amputation becomes the only viable option. Until now.

“Reversal of flow reverses how you think about how blood gets to
the foot. There’s a whole network of blood vessels that
we never counted before.”

“Reversal of flow reverses how you think about how blood gets to the foot. There’s a whole network of blood vessels that we never counted before.”

Dr. Peter Schneider
Kaiser Permanente, Honolulu, Hawaii, US

About the LimFlow System

The LimFlow System is a game-changing, percutaneous technology that creates a functional vascularization channel to the foot, once all other options have been exhausted. The proprietary LimFlow solution diverts a stream of highly oxygenated blood around diseased and occluded arteries and into the tibial veins, enhancing inflow and outflow dynamics. The resulting vascularization can perfuse the critically ischemic foot immediately.

As part of a multidisciplinary approach, the LimFlow procedure is designed to avoid amputation, resolve rest pain and promote wound healing. The LimFlow System leverages the proven benefits of deep venous arterialization in a safe, reproducible and less invasive manner, without the morbidity and complications associated with open surgery. Learn more about deep vein arterialization.

Patient Selection

Patients who have non-reconstructible distal arterial occlusive disease are referred to in the literature as the “no option” CLI patient population.1 These are patients where PAD has evolved to its end stage and where the arteries cannot be revascularized with angioplasty or bypass surgery. It has been estimated that 14-20% of CLI patients are “no-option”.2, 3 They are, in general, sicker and at higher risk of needing a major amputation. Considering all risk factors associated with amputation, it is of paramount importance to take all possible steps to salvage an affected limb.

View the LimFlow Procedure

How it Works

The venous ultrasound catheter is advanced into the tibial vein, while the arterial ultrasound catheter is advanced simultaneously into the tibial artery.
After arriving at the targeted crossing site (often at the occlusion level), the arterial ultrasound catheter is rotated until peak ultrasound signal is achieved, indicating the optimal crossing point.
The embedded needle of the arterial ultrasound catheter is then inserted into the tibial vein.
A micro guidewire is installed through the crossing needle, and a low-profile angioplasty balloon is inflated to allow passage of other devices.
The 4F Push Valvulotome is introduced to cut through valves at the bottom of the foot, rendering them incompetent.
Deployment of nitinol-covered crossing and extension stents finalizes the creation of the arterio-venous channel, which rushes blood into the foot.