The mid-1980s saw the first surgeries to implant surgical stents, a metal mesh tube inserted through a catheter into a damaged artery or vein to prop it open. Since FDA approval in 1994 stents have become a key surgical supply and are now used for a variety of purposes. A recent innovation by a surgical stent manufacturer, coating it with special drugs, has helped to reduce the occurrence of re-blockage.

Because stenting is a fairly common procedure, you can find a great deal of information about the surgical stent online. You can also find surgical stent seller websites. If your company is in the surgical supply business or considering entering the sector, surgical stents will be a key part of your inventory. As you gather information about the stent for surgery, keep the following surgical stent basics in mind:

1. You can check online for additional information or contact a surgical stent maker.

2. There are a variety of surgical stents for different purposes.

3. It's important to stay current with the latest surgical stent information.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Gather information about the surgical stent system

Your staff can find abundant information about stents from a surgical stent maker as well as general medical information websites. Each surgical stent manufacturer promotes its special innovations. Review the features as your business develops a plan to build your inventory.

I recommend: Investigate Boston Scientific's Promus surgical stent. The company specializes in the latest drug-coated devices. Your team might gain additional insights from the available Directions for Use and the Patient Guide. Visit the Medtronic website to learn about the two types of stents it distributes.

Identify a surgical stent distributor with a varied inventory

In addition to use for vascular reconstruction, stents also are being used in dental procedures. The periodontal surgical stent, or bone reduction stent, was developed to reduce the discomfort of dental implants and other invasive procedures of the mouth and face. Other makers are creating stents from new materials. Such innovations open new markets to medical suppliers.

I recommend: Check the products offered by Branemark Integration, the developer of the periodontal stent. Pulse Systems offers a new dimension in surgical stents and filters. Your company can find details on its website.

Keep a finger on the pulse of surgical stent trends

Due to concerns about current procedures to implant surgical stents, makers are introducing numerous innovations. Keep track of the latest news on FDA tests and approvals by checking medical news and sources. These are available online and in print.

I recommend: Track the latest news on stents and related medical devices with information from Medical Device Link. The site contains a robust article archive. Hospital Buyer has similar information on medical supply innovations, often with recommendations.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  An important aspect of surgical stent basics is that the devices remain a controversial topic among medical professionals. Be sure to investigate both sides of the argument before committing to a particular plan of action.