Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)
An aneurysm that form in the lower portion of the abdomen. It often includes the iliac arteries.

Aneurysm
An abnormal balloon-like bulging of an artery's wall that can cause a hemorrhagic stroke (if the aneursym is in the brain) or life-threatening loss of blood.

Arteriovenous malformation (AVM)
Morphologic defect of the arteries and veins whereby arteries connect directly to the veins without an interceding capillary bed.

Balloon embolic agent
An embolic agent consisting of latex or silicone micro-balloons that are used to block blood flow.

Biocompatible
Referring to a material or device that is compatible with the tissues of the body; non-toxic.

Catheter
A flexible tubular instrument for introducing fluids or medical devices, e.g. embolic agents.

CE Mark
An approval to commercialize a product by regulatory agencies or notified bodies, recognized typically by European countries, Canada, Australia, and many countries in Latin / South America and Asia.

Chemoembolization
The treatment of tumors with a combination of an embolic agent and chemotherapy drugs, e.g. cisplatin.

Coil embolic agent
An embolic agent made for a metallic filament that forms a coil when delivered into the vessel.

Contrast Agent or Media
Material that is radiopaque and acts to outline an artery or vein when delivered via a catheter.

Embolic Agent
A material that is delivered into an artery or vein for the purpose of blocking blood flow. Embolic agents are generally categorized as sclerosants, particles, balloons, microspheres, or liquids.

Embolism
The cessation of blood flow through an artery due to a sudden blockage from a blood clot; this leads to a stroke when it occurs in the carotid arteries and to a heart attack when it occurs in the coronary arteries.

Embolization
Causing the blockage of an artery or a vein by a foreign material, e.g. an embolic agent.

Embolotherapy
The practice of using embolic agents to provide therapy to an organ (e.g. a tumor) or vascular malformation (e.g. an aneurysm).

Endovascular
Placed through an artery or vein, e.g. an embolic agent is delivered endovascularly through a catheter placed in an artery or vein.

Fistula
An abnormal passage or communication between two structures including an artery and vein.

Fluoroscopy
A means of imaging internal structures of the body using an opaque agent and X-rays.

Guidewire
A metallic wire used to gain access to an artery or vein. A catheter can also be advanced into an artery or vein over a guidewire.

Hemorrhage
Internal bleeding often caused by rupture of an aneurysm.

Hormonal Therapy
The use of hormones, e.g. estrogen, to treat changes in the uterus, including the presence of abnormal bleeding.

Hypervascular tumor
An abnormally large amount of arteries associated with a cancerous mass.

Interventional Radiology
The subspecialty of radiology that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of conditions of the peripheral vascular system outside the brain and the heart.

IDE - Investigational Device Exemption
Authorization by FDA to begin a clinical trial.

Liquid embolic agent
An embolic agent that is delivered as a liquid to block blood flow in a vessel. The liquid embolic agent often solidifies in the vessel.

LiquiGel™ Embolic Agent
BioCure's proprietary, biocompatible liquid embolic agent comprised predominantly of polyvinyl alcohol.

Metastatic cancer
Cancer that migrates from a primary site to a secondary site(s).

Microspheres
Spheres that range in diameter from about 50 micrometers to about 1,000 micrometers (1,000 micrometers = 1 millimeter = 0.04 inches).

Myomectomy
Surgical removal of part of the uterus.

Necrosis
Tissue death due to lack of oxygen.

Nephrectomy
Surgical removal of a kidney. A partial nephrectomy refers to the surgical removal of a part of the kidney.

Neurointerventional radiology
The subspecialty of radiology that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of conditions of the brain

Non-adhesive
Non-adherent; for example, to the arterial wall or the catheter.

Particle embolic agents
Particulates of PVA, collagen, etc used to block blood flow in an artery or vein.

Pelvic congestion syndrome
Chronic pelvic pain, often caused by the poor return flow of venous blood out of the pelvis.

Proctoring
The practice of using of a regional mentor to teach new procedures or the use of new medical devices to clinicians.

Sclerosant agent
A chemical that is used to strip the inner lining of a blood vessel for the purpose of initiating thrombosis within an artery.

Thrombosis
Clotting of blood in a vessel.

Tumor
A cancerous mass.

Please contact us if you have any questions. We'd be happy to provide you with more information.