#USA #Becton Dickinson #Franklin Lakes, NJ #portal hypertension #Liverty TIPS

BD Unveils Next-Generation TIPS Innovation for Portal Hypertension Care

BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) has made significant strides in treating portal hypertension with its recent announcement regarding the CE mark application for the Liverty™ TIPS device. This promising innovation aims to broaden therapeutic options for patients suffering from advanced liver disease, particularly those with complications arising from portal hypertension.

Understanding Portal Hypertension

Portal hypertension is a severe medical condition that can arise from cirrhosis, which affects an estimated 58 million individuals globally, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. The condition can lead to serious complications, including variceal bleeding and fluid accumulation, threatening the patient’s health. Traditional transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) are commonly performed to alleviate symptoms associated with elevated portal pressure, improving blood flow and providing symptomatic relief.

Liverty™ TIPS: A New Hope

The newly developed Liverty™ TIPS device is designed for individualized patient treatment. It features an adjustable inner diameter ranging from 6 mm to 10 mm and offers the broadest length options currently available for covered TIPS. Key elements of this innovative device include a self-expanding nitinol frame coupled with a double-layer carbon-impregnated ePTFE coating on the inner surface, intended to enhance durability and effectiveness.

The device is deployed entirely on a triaxial delivery system, ensuring precise placement and improved ease of use. Rima Alameddine, International President of Peripheral Intervention at BD, emphasized the importance of safe, effective, and adaptable therapeutic options for patients suffering from portal hypertension complications, remarking: "With the CE mark for the Liverty™ TIPS, we introduce an innovative and adjustable solution that aids physicians in customizing therapy and optimizing long-term outcomes."

Clinical Evaluation and Upcoming Presentation

The clinical safety and efficacy of the Liverty™ TIPS will be detailed through data from the pivotal ARCH clinical trial, which assesses its role in treating portal hypertension complications. Outcomes from this international, multicenter, prospective, and single-arm study will be presented for the first time at the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) annual scientific meeting on April 12, 2026. Leading the presentation will be Dr. Ziv Haskal, whose insights are poised to highlight the prospective results demonstrating the advantages of small-diameter calibrated TIPS in addressing major complications associated with portal hypertension.

Dr. Haskal noted, "Liverty™ TIPS represents a critical advancement in our approach to managing severe complications of portal hypertension. Its adjustable diameter and design enable healthcare providers to tailor the shunt to fit the unique physiology of each patient, a vital aspect for creating safe and effective TIPS. This trial provides the first and only prospective data on these outcomes."

Future Perspectives

In the United States, the Liverty™ TIPS device is still considered an experimental tool, with availability limited by law for research purposes. BD continues to advocate for enhancements in medical technology that advance the health care landscape. Leveraging its extensive network, BD engages with healthcare professionals to transform operations, drive efficiencies, and improve patient care through innovative solutions.

BD's dedication to advancing health innovation reflects its commitment to improving global health outcomes, having provided billions of products each year designed to positively impact health around the world. For further insights into BD and its initiatives, visit bd.com or connect on social media platforms to stay informed on their latest advancements.

Summary

The introduction of Liverty™ TIPS by BD marks a pivotal development in the management of portal hypertension, showcasing their commitment to improving patient care and outcomes through innovative medical technology.