Medtronic has announced that it has entered into a distribution agreement with Merit Medical Systems to offer the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared ViaVerte—a minimally invasive and implant free basivertebral nerve ablation (BVNA) system.
According to the company, it is the first and only BVNA system with a physician-controlled steerable mechanism for precise basivertebral nerve targeting for treating chronic vertebrogenic lower back pain.
In a recent press release, Medtronic asserts that this agreement continues the company’s momentum in executing on strategic deals that strengthen leadership within its core franchises and expands an ongoing relationship between Medtronic and Merit. Merit currently supplies Medtronic’s Kyphon Xpander inflation syringes used in balloon kyphoplasty procedures and Kyphon KyphoFlex unipedicular steerable balloon catheter for treating vertebral compression fractures.
The ViaVerte BVNA system, which will be available later this year, offers patients a minimally invasive, same day outpatient procedure. Alongside Medtronic’s comprehensive pain offerings, the latest agreement with Merit Medical supports Medtronic’s goal of maximising innovative therapy options for customers and their patients.
“For 50 years, we have advanced how chronic pain is treated,” said Paolo Di Vincenzo, president, Medtronic Neuromodulation, which is part of the Medtronic neuroscience portfolio. “Adding ViaVerte basivertebral nerve ablation expands our world-leading pain interventions portfolio and gives patients and their physicians another meaningful option for lasting relief.”
“We are thrilled to expand our ongoing business relationship with Medtronic by providing Merit’s proprietary articulating technology,” said Michael Blackham, executive vice president, global original equipment manufacturer (OEM), Merit Medical Systems. “We believe ViaVerte represents a significant advancement in the BVNA market.”
“This agreement underscores our mutual dedication to providing innovative therapies to support physicians and their patients,” said Martha G Aronson, president and chief executive officer, Merit Medical Systems.
The Medtronic portfolio of pain therapies includes spinal cord stimulation, vertebral augmentation, nerve ablation, bone tumour ablation, and targeted drug delivery. The addition of an advanced steerable solution for BVNA expands this portfolio to directly meet the growing demand for this expanded therapy option.
