Penumbra, Inc. is a U.S.-based medical device company that designs, develops, manufactures, and markets innovative products for treating a range of vascular and neurovascular conditions.
Penumbra’s corporate philosophy centers on innovative device solutions that can improve patient outcomes and help clinicians address complex disease conditions, from acute ischemic stroke to peripheral vascular blockages. Its products are often used in minimally invasive interventions, enabling faster recovery and reduced procedural risk compared with open surgery.
Key Capabilities and Technology Platforms
Penumbra’s capabilities span several major clinical and technological areas:
1. Mechanical Thrombectomy Systems
Thrombectomy — the removal of blood clots from blood vessels — is a core strength for Penumbra, particularly in acute stroke and pulmonary embolism settings.
Penumbra System® for Acute Ischemic Stroke
The Penumbra System is a comprehensive platform designed for mechanical thrombectomy in patients suffering from acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusions.
Key technical characteristics:
- Reperfusion Catheters: Devices like RED, JET, ACE, and MAX catheters are engineered to reach and aspirate clots within cerebral vessels with high efficiency.
- 3D Revascularization Device™: An advanced clot-retrieval device that enhances clot engagement and extraction.
- Penumbra ENGINE®: A vacuum aspiration source that provides controlled suction power for effective thrombus removal.
- Aspiration Tubing: Connects the aspiration source to the catheters in a sterile, low-resistance flow path.
These technologies are optimized to balance vacuum force, catheter flexibility, and navigability to reach target vessels safely, even in tortuous vascular anatomies.
2. Peripheral and Pulmonary Thrombectomy
Beyond neurovascular applications, Penumbra offers systems for peripheral thrombus removal including:
- Indigo System: Power aspiration devices that remove thrombus in peripheral vasculature (e.g., legs, arms) using targeted suction technology.
- Lightning Flash and Lightning Bolt: Mechanical thrombectomy platforms featured for treating pulmonary embolism and acute limb ischemia, often integrating computer-assisted vacuum thrombectomy (CAVT™) approaches that improve efficiency and maintain vessel integrity.
These systems combine ergonomic catheter designs with controlled aspiration profiles to maximize clot capture while minimizing vessel trauma.
3. Neurovascular Embolization and Aneurysm Treatment
Penumbra’s product portfolio includes a suite of embolization systems that treat aneurysms and other neurovascular lesions:
- Penumbra Coil 400 Series: Detachable coils designed for endovascular aneurysm occlusion with enhanced packing density.
- SMART COIL and SwiftPAC Coil Brands: Systems for precise aneurysm embolization tailored to lesion size and morphology.
These coils are optimized for controlled deployment, conformability to diverse vessel geometries, and durable occlusion to reduce the risk of aneurysm rupture.
4. Neurovascular Access and Guiding Technologies
Penumbra also offers access catheters and guide systems to enable safe navigation through the vascular system during interventions:
- Neuron, Neuron MAX, BENCHMARK, BMX, DDC, MIDWAY, PX SLIM: Brand families for microcatheters and guide catheters that provide stable pathways for therapeutic devices during complex procedures.
These products are designed for high pushability, torque response, and soft distal tips, accommodating challenging anatomy encountered in neurointerventional procedures.
5. Neurosurgical and Aspiration Tools
Penumbra’s portfolio includes tools for neurosurgical evacuation of fluids and tissues, such as:
- Artemis Neuro Evacuation Device: An aspiration-based tool that assists surgeons in removing hematomas or other intracranial fluids with precision.
This device supports both minimally invasive surgery and more traditional approaches where precise control of aspiration is essential.
6. Peripheral Embolization Solutions
To treat peripheral vascular occlusions and control hemorrhage, Penumbra offers products such as:
- Ruby Coil System and Ruby LP: Detachable embolic coils indicated for peripheral vessel embolization.
- Penumbra Occlusion Device (POD) System: A unified system for vessel occlusion tailored to diverse peripheral vascular applications.
- Packing Coil: Complementary coils used with other embolization systems.
These products provide clinicians with a range of tools to occlude blood flow where needed, such as reducing bleeding or treating arteriovenous malformations.
Clinical Impact and Market Position
Penumbra’s technologies have been widely adopted in interventional cardiology and neurointerventional markets, where quick, effective mechanical removal of clots and precise vessel occlusion can be life-saving. Its systems are used in hospitals and specialty centers globally, with a strong presence in both emergency stroke care and peripheral vascular intervention.
The company’s continuous innovation in vacuum thrombectomy technology, revascularization devices, and embolization hardware has positioned it as a leader in these clinical areas — a position underscored by its strategic acquisition by Boston Scientific to broaden vascular treatment capabilities.
Penumbra, exemplifies innovation in minimally invasive interventional medical devices.
Its key capabilities span:
- Acute stroke mechanical thrombectomy systems
- Peripheral and pulmonary thrombectomy platforms
- Neurovascular embolization and aneurysm treatment
- Neurovascular access and guide technologies
- Neurosurgical aspiration tools
- Peripheral embolization solutions
Together, these offerings enable clinicians to address some of the most challenging vascular and neurovascular conditions with precision and reliability, helping to transform patient care outcomes worldwide.