Hands-on device trainings (HDTs)

After a short kick-off presentation by the HDT coordinators, participants will have the opportunity to learn about the specifics as well as safe and effective use of the available technology in an interactive setting. Each HDT will feature a round-table discussion with the coordinators at the end of each session, allowing participants to ask questions and provide feedback.

Participating industry partners have been invited by CIRSE to provide an overview of their devices and technologies.

How to participate

Participation will be free of charge for registered CIRSE 2026 delegates, but places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Onsite registration starts 30 minutes before each individual session. As these sessions offer practical medical training, participation is for qualified medical professionals only.

Arterial atherectomy

Endovascular treatment of patients with acute occlusions of the arterial bed has become more popular in recent years. As technology has steadily developed, more systems with increasing efficacy have become available to help restore vessel patency in a quick, safe, and efficient way.

This hands-on device training aims to provide an overview of the different devices which are currently being used for the treatment of acute arterial obstructions. Our industry partners have their main devices on display, giving delegates the opportunity to have hands-on experience as well as discussion with their experts.

Arterial thrombectomy

Endovascular treatment of patients with high-grade stenosis and acute occlusions of the arterial bed has become more popular in recent years. As technology has steadily developed, more systems with increasing efficacy have become available to help restore vessel patency in a quick, safe and efficient way.

This hands-on device training aims to provide an overview of the different devices which are currently being used for the treatment of high-grade stenosis as well as acute arterial obstructions. Our industry partners have got their main devices on display, giving delegates the opportunity to have hands-on experience as well as discussion with their experts.

CBCT and image-guided fusion

Join this immersive hands-on device training and get first-hand experience with the latest commercially available image-guided technologies! Attendees will explore cutting-edge tools for treatment planning and real-time navigation for both endovascular and percutaneous locoregional treatments, learn how to integrate multi-modality image fusion, and master post-ablation imaging confirmation along with other advanced image-guided techniques. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your expertise in a dynamic, interactive setting.

Central lines and ports

Central lines and ports have become a cornerstone in patient care. Interventional radiology has made the insertion and management of these a core basic skill and has been responsible for their dissemination throughout hospital networks. This hands-on session provides an overview of their use as well as how to deal with complications and difficult clinical scenarios.

Embolization: materials and tools

Embolization is an important part of an IR’s work, and as such, it is essential to thoroughly understand how to perform this technique in order to avoid complications. Having substantial knowledge of available materials is absolutely necessary when selecting the most suitable device for any scenario.

Neurolysis and neuromodulation

Interventional radiology has an increasingly prominent role to play in pain management with an array of minimally invasive techniques that can be applied in a versatile fashion for benign and malignant pain conditions. IR’s efficacy in this realm relates to the use of advanced image-guided techniques facilitating maximal precision allied to an in-depth knowledge of regional anatomy, devices, and anaesthetic/anti-inflammatory agents. These procedures achieve significant palliation in the malignant setting and treat benign pain effectively, including reducing the risk of the pain becoming a chronic condition.

Nerve blocks and neurolysis targeting pain-mediating nerves, in addition to the placement of spinal cord stimulators, are central procedures in the IR’s armamentarium against pain. This hands-on device training will allow participants to experience a range of devices used in performing these procedures.

Stroke thrombectomy

Mechanical thrombectomy has become a cornerstone of acute ischemic stroke treatment and is now a well-established component of modern neurointerventional practice. Continued advances in clinical research and imaging have broadened patient selection criteria, expanding the population eligible for thrombectomy and increasing the demand for timely endovascular stroke intervention. As a result, healthcare professionals involved in stroke care must develop a strong understanding of cerebrovascular anatomy, stroke pathophysiology, imaging assessment, procedural techniques, and device selection.

This training provides participants with the opportunity to gain hands-on familiarity with current thrombectomy strategies, workflows, and the most widely used aspiration and stent retriever systems, while reinforcing the technical and clinical principles that underpin safe and effective stroke intervention.

Thyroid: ablative techniques

Thyroid thermal ablation has gained popularity for the treatment of both benign and selected malignant thyroid nodules. Thyroid ablation avoids the need for open surgery, scarring, and potential lifelong hormone replacement, making it an attractive option to patients and enabling interventional radiologists to confidently treat nodules with excellent results.

This hands-on device training session will provide an overview of leading thyroid thermal ablation technologies, as well as adjunctive techniques such as the moving shot and fluid motion technique, hydrodissection, and vascular targeting. Our industry partners will showcase a range of systems, allowing delegates to learn in a practical environment with experts from the field. Through this interactive format, attendees will gain familiarity with all aspects of thyroid ablation while developing a deeper understanding of how to optimize both patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes.

Tumour ablation

Ablation plays a fundamental role in the minimally invasive treatment of cancer. Ablation technologies and equipment for live image guidance, stereotactic or robotic navigation as well as verification software continue to quickly develop in order to promote ablation simulation and planning, intra-procedural monitoring and outcome evaluation.

In order to stay up to date on these developments, this hands-on device training will offer separate sessions to look at radiofrequency ablation, microwave ablation and alternative techniques, including cryoablation, IRE and other image-guided technologies.

Varicose veins

Varicose veins are a manifestation of chronic venous disease, which causes significant impairment in quality of life for both men and women, physically and aesthetically. Recent developments in the endovascular treatment of saphenous vein reflux, which is the most common cause of varicose veins, led to a change in the treatment of varicose veins: from surgery to minimally invasive treatments, and from the OR to the office. Considering the increasing demand for treatment and the growing involvement of interventional radiologists, it is essential to understand the timing of such interventions and acquire basic skills in the methodology.

This hands-on device training, coordinated by two experienced IRs in the field, aims to provide an overview of the selection of devices available and different techniques.

Venous stenting practice and the use of IVUS

Venous diseases represent an ever-increasing component of the interventionalists’ workload. Venous intervention requires specific considerations, including adapting to the low flow, low pressure, and low resistivity of the venous system. Along with traditional stent technology, several specific venous stents have become available to help restore and maintain vessel patency in a safe and efficient way. These are widely used in the management of venous obstruction for acute and chronic pathologies.

This hands-on device training will offer attendees the opportunity to explore and learn about new technology including IVUS, the various options for venous stenting, as well as the specific advantages of individual stents.

Venous thrombectomy/DVT-PE

Endovascular treatment of patients with acute occlusions of the venous bed have become more popular in recent years. As technology has steadily developed, more systems with increasing efficacy have become available to help restore vessel patency in a quick, safe and efficient way.

This hands-on device training aims to provide an overview of the different devices which are currently being used for the treatment of acute venous obstructions.

Vertebral augmentation

Every day, interventional radiologists are approached by patients to resolve their vertebral pathologies. In recent years, considerable technological progress has been made as a consequence of the extraordinary outcomes of minimally invasive techniques, which have helped countless patients to achieve pain relief and avoid many of the complications associated with open surgery.

In this hands-on device training, vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty, and balloon kyphoplasty will be discussed, and devices for each of these procedures will be presented and available for participants to practice with.