Boston Scientific President, Peripheral Vascular, Catherine Jennings, wrote on LinkedIn that the company is “celebrating an important milestone” with the completion of the first peripheral cases using the intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) system.
The news comes a day after CEO Mike Mahoney and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ken Stein outlined future plans for the IVL technology at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco.
“For patients living with peripheral artery disease, innovation like this matters,” Jennings wrote. “IVL technology has the potential to help physicians more effectively treat complex calcified disease, expanding options and improving procedural outcomes for patients who need them most.”
Last year, Boston Scientific made its IVL play to join the likes of Johnson & Johnson MedTech, as well as FastWave Medical, Vantis Vascular and AVS in the space, acquiring Bolt Medical for up to $900 million. The Seismiq system, Bolt’s next-generation IVL technology, received FDA clearance just before the deal closed and is now in a limited U.S. rollout.
The advanced laser-based platform offers a treatment for both coronary and peripheral artery disease. Its novel application of lithotripsy fractures calcium by creating acoustic pressure waves inside a balloon catheter. The system also includes visible, directional emitters for consistent energy delivery in the treatment of calcified lesions.
“Seismiq represents years of focused innovation and collaboration, from early concept through clinical readiness,” Jennings said. “It also reflects our commitment to developing technologies that address real clinical challenges and advance the standard of care in cardiovascular disease.”
