2003 Annual Report
Bringing Medical Possibilities to Life
Success is a marathon

Success is a marathon
Continually adapting to the changing medical needs of our physician-customers and their patients is key to our growing and developing our markets. Medical technology does not stand still and neither will we. Our future includes specific, targeted strategies that will keep us in the lead in the coronary thrombectomy market and take us into new expanding markets for peripheral vascular disease, deep vein thrombosis and related conditions.

We're increasing therapy adoption by cardiologists, interventional radiologists and surgeons by:

  • Bringing new catheters to market to meet their needs.
  • Improving the current AngioJet System to enhance ease of use through upgrades that include new set-up tools, a new pump set and connections.
  • Development of a future AngioJet drive unit that is easier to use, has a smaller footprint size, more power modes and an intuitive set-up.
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We're expanding into related markets, including:

  • Embolic Protection — the use of the AngioJet System to prevent distal embolization that can occur during an intervention, such as the placement of a stent. During some procedures thrombus and other debris may dislodge and be sent downstream, potentially blocking smaller vessels. Embolic protection involves creating a temporary occlusion downstream from the lesion, using the new GuardDOG temporary occlusion guide wire, and then removing any debris with the AngioJet.
  • Venus thrombectomy — for the treatment of DVT and, in particular, the removal of older thrombus in large vessels. We continue to learn from physicians who are experimenting with off-label use of the AngioJet System and are encouraged by the potential offered by the use of the AngioJet System in conjunction with clot busting drugs.

We're expanding worldwide:

  • Possis has a multi-country distributorship based in Italy and will soon be marketing the XMI Rapid Exchange catheter throughout Europe.
  • In Japan, we are following an independent regulatory strategy and are seeking XMI regulatory approval and reimbursement.

Mechanical thrombectomy is here to stay and, in this marathon, Possis is the leader by far. We have demonstrated substantial earnings growth from our base business, have a strong cash position and we are investing in the future to grow our leadership position and sustain earnings growth.