Medtronic ($MDT) received a CE mark for the NC Euphora balloon catheter, a device designed to ensure that drug-eluting stents are fully apposed following implantation.
Medtronic says stent underexpansion contributes to adverse events like restenosis and stent thrombosis, and noncompliant balloons can help combat them.
"When using a noncompliant balloon, deliverability and re-cross are important characteristics, especially when faced with challenging coronary anatomy," said Robert Gerber, consultant interventional cardiologist and preclinical researcher for the NC Euphora balloon, in a statement. "The NC Euphora balloon was designed to meet these demands and provide reliable performance with no tradeoffs in the moment that we need it most."
In the statement, Medtronic cites the product's deliverability, low lesion entry profile, durability and environmentally friendly packaging.
"NC Euphora expands our interventional portfolio with another clinically-relevant tool that was developed with both interventionalists and cath lab teams' needs in mind," said Jason Weidman, vice president and general manager of Medtronic's coronary business, in a statement. "With the addition of a premium non-compliant balloon, our interventional customers have a complement to the other innovative Medtronic offerings throughout the entire procedure for their most difficult and challenging cases."
In its May 20 earnings statement, Medtronic said that coronary revenue fell 4% in its final fiscal quarter of 2014 to $446 million. The group's revenue fell 2% on a constant currency basis. Overall, cardiac and vascular devices contributed $2.4 billion of revenue toward the company's quarterly earnings of $4.6 billion.
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