FDA Clears New Hydrophilic Antimicrobial Catheter From Cook Critical Care For U.S. Sales

Bloomington, Ind. - Federal clearance to market a hydrophilic-coated version of Cook Critical Care's antimicrobial central venous catheter means U.S. clinicians now can bring Cook Spectrum's superior properties, which help provide protection against catheter-related bloodstream infections, to patients posing the greatest catheter placement challenges.

The new Cook Spectrum® Glide™ Minocycline/Rifampin Impregnated Catheters, which received U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearance this month, will be marketed immediately to U.S. critical care facilities, Cook officials announced today. For more information, visit www.cookcriticalcare.com.

Cook Spectrum catheters employ the company's patented antimicrobial impregnation process that helps provide protection on both the internal and external surfaces of the catheter. Spectrum catheters have been shown to be up to 12 times more likely to resist life-threatening catheter-related infections compared to chlorhexadine/silver sulfadiazine-coated catheters. With its new, highly lubricious hydrophilic surface, Cook Spectrum Glide central venous catheters offer an unparalleled combination of patient safety and ease of use.

"With the Cook Spectrum Glide line of catheters, Cook now offers physicians the best of both worlds," explained Bruce Gingles, vice president of Cook Critical Care. "Spectrum antimicrobial catheters impregnated with minocycline and rifampin show superior results in reducing the risks to patients from catheter-related infections and sparing hospitals the enormous cost of treating these patients. Now, with Cook's unique new Spectrum Glide product, no physician will ever again need to choose between using a catheter they can place easily or using one that provides the highest level of protection against catheter-related bloodstream infection."

With international headquarters in Bloomington, Ind., privately held COOK® (www.cookgroup.com) is a leading designer, manufacturer and global distributor of minimally invasive medical device technology for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Since its founding in 1963, Cook has created innovative technologies for stents and stent-grafts, catheters, wire guides, introducer needles and sheaths, embolization coils, medical biomaterials, vena cava filters and other minimally invasive medical devices for radiology, cardiology, urology and OBN/GYN, critical care medicine, surgery, gastroenterology, bone access and endovascular therapies.

MEDIA CONTACT:
David McCarty
Director of Public Relations
Cook Incorporated - 812-339-2235 ext. 2387
Email: dmccarty@cook-inc.com

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