St. Jude Medical (NYSE:STJ) said the FDA approved the latest version of its Merlin.net remote monitoring system for pacemakers and defibrillators.
The St. Paul, Minn.-based medical device company said the system’s latest iteration incorporates its CorVue thoracic impedance monitor, allowing physicians to track impedance that might indicate "changes in heart failure status," according to a press release.
Significantly, in light of St. Jude’s recent travails with its defibrillator leads, the Merlin.net system also includes "LeadAssurance Alert," a lead monitoring function which "offers nightly remote alert checks on high-voltage devices to ensure that lead performance is continually monitored and all diagnostics are reported to clinicians," according to the release.
"The next-generation Merlin.net PCN was designed to advance disease management of cardiac conditions," medical implantable electronic systems president Dr. Eric Fain said in prepared remarks. "In addition to advancing monitoring features, we have added broadband capabilities to increase patient access to home monitoring technology. As a company, we continue to focus on developing innovative remote monitoring technologies that enable earlier interventions for clinicians and accessible solutions for patients."
