FDA Clears Latest Version of Central Venous Catheter from Cook Inc.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Cook Inc. announces that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the company's new five-lumen central venous catheter designed to both improve multiple treatment administration and provide increased protection against hospital-based catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs).

This latest version of the Cook Spectrum catheter incorporates five separate, non-communicating vascular access lumens within a single catheter body. The five-lumen design reduces the necessity of performing multiple venipunctures or multiple stopcock configurations using single-lumen catheters. This version allows access into the venous system via one access site, allowing simultaneous administration of medications and multiple treatments such as antibiotics, chemotherapy, infusion, blood sampling and monitoring.

As CRBSIs account for more than 28,000 patient deaths annually, the antibiotic-impregnated five-lumen Spectrum catheter serves a particularly important role for physicians and patients. Spectrum catheters employ Cook's patented antimicrobial impregnation process that provides protection on both the internal and external surfaces of the catheter.

"Today's announcement demonstrates our continued dedication and commitment to the ongoing innovation of the Cook Spectrum catheter," said Bruce Gingles, global leader of Cook Critical Care. "The enhanced design of the new five-lumen version offers physicians both an unparalleled combination of simplified treatment administration and critical infection prevention for their patients."

Source: Cook Inc.