Medtronic Enriches Endovascular Solutions - Analyst Blog

In an attempt to expand its market-leading portfolio of endovascular solutions, Medtronic, Inc. MDT presented two of its recently Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved devices at the Society for Vascular Surgery`s 2014 Annual Meeting.  The conference took place in Boston last week.  

Following the news, Medtronic's share price rose 2.4% to eventually close at $62.47 on Friday.

The two devices, namely Captivia Thoracic Stent Graft system proximal FreeFlo tapers line extension now with dissection indication, and the TOTAL across crossing support catheter for peripheral artery disease (PAD) in the below-the-knee (BTK) vessel bed are now available to physicians across the U.S

Valiant Captivia Tapers for Dissection

The Valiant Captivia System, used for the treatment of thoracic aortic dissections in the U.S., provides physicians with better treatment solutions for patients with fragile tapered, dissected aortas.

According to reliable sources, endovascular repair serves as a minimally invasive alternative to open surgical repair, in cases of thoracic aortic dissection. The Medtronic DISSECTION Trial technically validated the Valiant Captivia system as a safe and effective method for the treatment of acute B type dissection cases.

In January, Medtronic had launched its 11 new proximal FreeFlo tapered pieces to the Valiant Captivia system. Physicians can now treat thoracic pathologies in patients with tapered aortas with the help of this expanded size matrix. A resultant 30% increase in configuration possibilities enables effective treatment of a wider range of patient anomalies.

The new Valiant Captivia, with the additive dissection indication for the tapers line extension, accommodates optimal graft sizing that has the potential to lead to better procedural outcomes for patients with dissected aortas. The device comes as a valuable addition to Medtronic`s market-leading thoracic solutions portfolio.

TOTAL Across Crossing Support Catheter

The TOTAL across crossing support catheter aims at addressing specific challenges typically encountered by physicians when they treat patients with critical limb ischemia CLI. CLI is caused by BTK lesions.

The catheter's purpose is to ease access to difficult lesions below the knee by allowing better support for guide wire advancement, as well as guide wire exchange and selective angiography capabilities.  It is the only 0.014" guidewire compatible crossing support catheter made of a spiral cut stainless steel hypotube that combines exceptional full-length push response with distal flexibility.  

TOTAL across has received both CE (Conformité Européene) mark and the U.S. FDA 510(k) clearance. The TOTAL across crossing support catheter amplifies Medtronic`s portfolio of devices that are used to treat peripheral artery disease (PAD) in patients. It is the first of 3 new products that address the clinical challenge of BTK CLI. Medtronic plans to launch it around the world within the next 2 years.

Zacks Rank

Medtronic currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked medical product stocks that warrant a look include Cardica Inc. CRDC, Exactech Inc. EXAC and NeuroMetrix Inc. NURO. All the three stocks carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

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