Naples Comprehensive Health Wingard Stroke Institute was among the first hospitals in the nation to perform the Food and Drug Administration-approved Neuroguard Integrated Embolic Protection procedure, a treatment for patients with carotid artery disease. The institute is one of five Joint Commission-certified comprehensive stroke centers in Florida. Developed by Contego Medical, the Neuroguard IEP System is a three-in-one carotid stenting solution that integrates a high-performance stent, a dilation balloon and a protective filter with pores up to four times smaller than traditional filters and mesh-covered stents. NCH officials said the technology streamlines the carotid stenting procedure, reducing the number of steps and significantly improving safety by capturing particles or clots that can travel in the bloodstream that traditional systems may miss.