Castor™ Thoracic Branch Stent-Graft System ("Castor™"), an endovascular device developed by MicroPort Endovascular (Shanghai) Co, a subsidiary of Shanghai MicroPort Medical (Group) Co ("MicroPort"), was successfully selected as one project of the National Key Technology R&D Program for China's 12th Five-Year Plan in November.

Compared with other branch stent-grafts under development, Castor™ has less endoleak and better branch artery patency. It also features kink-free outer sheath, arch-passing ability, soft membrane as well as soft cap with branch stent cramped in.

During the past decade, an increasingly more people suffer from thoracic dissection in China. Dissection involving left subclavian artery ("LSA") is currently a relative contraindication for endovascular treatment. In that case, the development of Castor is a crucial milestone in treatment of challenging aortic arch disease.

MicroPort has carried out clinical trials for Castor, which is the world's first large-scaled and multi-centered clinical study for branched thoracic stent graft. Its clinical efficacy has gained recognitions from domestic medical professionals.