Penumbra Launches Link, Expanding Vascular Thrombectomy Options for Physicians
Penumbra recently launched the Link™ clot capture device designed to support the removal of arterial thrombus when used in conjunction with Lightning Bolt® technology. Link is designed to lock and hold clot, connecting to the power of computer assisted vacuum thrombectomy (CAVT®) to secure and maximize clot extraction.
“Link expands the toolkit available to physicians by providing an additional mechanical clot engagement option that can help address resistant thrombus while maintaining aspiration with CAVT,” said James F. Benenati, MD, FSIR, chief medical officer at Penumbra. “By offering clinicians greater flexibility in challenging cases, it has the potential to improve procedural efficiency and support more effective patient care.”
Deployed into thrombus, Link engages and mobilizes organized clot while aspiration facilitates clot ingestion into the aspiration catheter. Designed to complement existing Lightning Bolt workflows, Link can be incorporated when additional mechanical clot engagement is desired, without requiring a fundamentally different procedural approach.
Early physician experience has highlighted Link’s ability to work synergistically with Lightning Bolt technology. “Link appeared to provide a secure hold on the embolus, allowing Bolt to more effectively aspirate the residual thrombus,” said Thomas Heafner, MD, after using Link with Bolt 7. “Combining Link with Lightning Bolt resulted in rapid and effective clot clearance.”
“Link represents an important advancement in our CAVT portfolio, providing an additional option for engaging and removing challenging blood clots,” said Shruthi Narayan, president of Penumbra. “Link was designed to bring a new dimension to thrombectomy by combining secure clot engagement with the power of modulated aspiration, offering clinicians an additional therapeutic option for some of the most challenging cases. This launch reflects our continued commitment to developing technologies that advance vascular care and improve patient outcomes.”
Designed to Secure Clot and Maximize Extraction
LINK is designed to lock and hold clot while leveraging the power of CAVT to support clot removal. Its unique architecture is engineered to minimize vessel wall engagement and support atraumatic clot extraction.
Important Safety Information
Additional information about Penumbra’s products can be located on Penumbra’s website at https://www.penumbrainc.com/products/peripheral-thrombectomy-cavt/. The clinical results presented herein are for informational purposes only and may not be predictive for all patients. Individual results may vary depending on patient-specific attributes and other factors. Caution: Federal (USA) law restrictions these devices to sale by or on the order of a physician. Prior to use, please refer to the Instructions for Use (IFU) for complete product indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions, potential adverse events, and detailed instructions for use. For the complete Penumbra IFU Risk Summary Statements, visit: peninc.info/risk. Please contact your local Penumbra representative for more information.
Copyright ©2026 Penumbra, Inc. All rights reserved. LINK, Lightning Bolt, and CAVT are registered trademarks or trademarks of Penumbra, Inc. in the USA and other countries.