28/10/2025
🎉 Hospital Kuala Lumpur’s Vascular Surgery team has made history by successfully deploying the first smart polymer embolization plug in Southeast Asia, marking a proud milestone for Malaysia!🇲🇾
Developed by Shape Memory Medical, the IMPEDE embolization plug represents a new generation of embolization technology. At its core is an innovative shape memory polymer, a bioengineered material that expands upon contact with blood to fill the vessel lumen, promoting controlled and durable occlusion. Unlike traditional metallic coils or plugs, the device is designed to encourage natural tissue healing while minimizing the amount of permanent foreign material left in the body. This unique mechanism supports long term vessel closure, reduces imaging artifacts, and enhances patient safety and outcomes.
Special thanks to Dr. Karthigesu Aimanan, Dr. Putera Mas Pian, and Dr. Michael Arvind for making this milestone possible, and our heartfelt appreciation to Datuk Dr. Hanif Hussein for his visionary leadership and for welcoming new technology into the HKL Vascular Surgery Unit, allowing it to continue evolving and advancing patient care. Sincere thanks also to Tom Lewis from Shape Memory Medical Inc. for flying in to provide on-site support and guidance during this landmark first case in Southeast Asia.
