Medtronic LAUNCHES NEW DEVICE TO REMOVE coronarY thrombus

With more than a decade of market leadership in medical devices designed to remove thrombus from coronary arteries, Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT) announced today the U.S. launch of the Export Advance aspiration catheter, which offers greater power and superior deliverability.

Recently cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the latest addition to Medtronic's portfolio of thrombectomy devices features a pre-loaded stylet -- a core wire that runs through the middle of the shaft to provide more support during delivery. This feature increases the deliverability and kink resistance of the new device while traversing the vasculature to reach the aspiration site.

To further optimize performance, the Export Advance aspiration catheter is also constructed with full-wall variable braiding technology, which provides variable degrees of stiffness along the length of the device to enhance flexibility and pushability while navigating the device through the vasculature.

"With the Export Advance aspiration catheter, Medtronic has taken the power and deliverability of manual thrombectomy devices to a new level," said Dr. Hoang Thai, an associate professor of medicine and associate program director of the interventional cardiology fellowship at the University of Arizona.

The Export Advance aspiration catheter received the CE (Conformité Européenne) mark in May and has been introduced in various international markets since then. It is the latest addition to Medtronic's portfolio of thrombectomy devices, which also includes the market-leading Export AP aspiration catheter.

"With more than 10 years of market leadership in this product category, Medtronic has continued to lead the way in innovation, setting a new standard of performance with the Export Advance aspiration catheter," said Jason Weidman, vice president and general manager of Medtronic's coronary business. "In addition to superior deliverability, our next-generation device offers high-performing aspiration power that physicians have come to expect from Export aspiration catheters, which to date have been used to treat more than one million patients worldwide."

In collaboration with leading clinicians, researchers and scientists, Medtronic offers the broadest range of innovative medical technology for the interventional and surgical treatment of cardiovascular disease and cardiac arrhythmias. The company strives to offer products and services that deliver clinical and economic value to healthcare consumers and providers worldwide.