Embosphere microsphere

Tris-acryl gel microspheres (Embogold and Embosphere Microspheres) 40-1200 pm Polyvinyl dcohol microspheres (Contour SE) 45-1180 pm... 

Tris-acryl gel microspheres were the first spherical embolic agents to be commercially available [32]. Tris-acryl is an entirely synthetic, hydrophilic, and nonresorbable material. It has been demonstrated that this material produces non-toxic tissue reaction, thus allowing absorption and cellular adhesion [32]. Colored and non-colored tris-acryl gelatin microspheres (Embogold and Embosphere Microspheres Biosphere Medical, Rockland, MA) are currently commercially available. 

Fig. 17.2. Embosphere microspheres. These tris-acryl gelatin microspheres are precisely calibrated, spherical, hydrophilic, microporous beads. (Courtesy of Andy Lewis, Biocompatibles, UK, Ltd, Surrey, UK)...

Trisacryl gelatin microspheres (Embosphere) calibrated, flexible, non-aggregating... 

Fig. 2.5a,b. Trisacryl gelatin microspheres or embospheres (courtesy of Biosphere Medical), a Trisacryl gelatin microspheres in suspension, b Microscopic images demonstrating the spheres... 

A newer embolic which is a tris-acryl collagen-coated microsphere (Embospheres, Biosphere Medical, Rockland, MA) was the first embolic approved by the FDA specifically for fibroid embolization. These particles are hydrophilic and nonabsorbable. They have a very smooth surface, and are softer and more deformable than PVA. They are easily administered through a microcatheter since they have a reduced tendency for clumping and aggregation. 

Although there are theoretical advantages to the use of Embospheres, clinical studies have not shown an advantage over PVA particles [27]. The volume decrease ofthe fibroids, and the uterine volume reduction is similar between Embospheres and PVA [54]. The volume of microspheres required for an embolization is larger than the volume of PVA required to complete an embolization [27]. In both retrospective and prospective study there does not seem to be a difference in post procedure pain or the use of narcotic use between PVA and microspheres [27,55]. 

Other newer agents have been introduced for use in UFE. Gelatin-coated trisacryl microspheres (Embospheres, Biosphere Medical Inc., Rockland, MA) were the first spherical agents and offered the theoretical advantage of a more uniform and targeted embolization of the perifibroid plexus [15]. Their compressibility also made microcatheter clog-... 

Several spherical embolization materials are now available on the market. After the introduction of TGMS (Embosphere, Biosphere Medical), which was approved in Europe (CE approval) in 1997, in the USA (FDA approval) for general embolization in 2000 and specifically for uterine fibroid embolization in 2002, two PVA-based microspheres have been... 

Saint-Maurice JP, Wassef M, Namur J, Merland JJ, Laurent A (2003) Vascular distribution of two types of microspheres (Embosphere and Contour SE) a comparative study [abstract]. Presented at the annual meeting of the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe, Antalya, Turkey, September 20-24... 

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