Atraverse develops the Hotwire transseptal access system, a novel radiofrequency guidewire left-heart access device. It enables zero-exchange left-heart access while acting as a rail for catheter-based therapy systems. Steven Mickelsen, a pioneer in the pulsed field ablation space, invented the Hotwire system with Atraverse co-founder Eric Sauter. Fellow co-founder John Slump serves as CEO. The deal marks another acquisition for Mickelsen, who founded Farapulse, along with Slump, which Boston Scientific acquired in 2021.
The novel guidewire device initially received the FDA’s green light in May 2024. Another FDA clearance picked up in December 2025 included the system’s Hotwire RF (radiofrequency) generator, integrated with the guidewire. The generator mitigates the risk of uncontrolled energy delivery after accessing the left atrium. It can also activate energy within the sterile field to give clinicians more precise control. Atraverse shared positive clinical findings for the platform earlier this year.
According to Johnson & Johnson, the system has already been used in more than 3,000 clinical procedures. Its key features include impedance sensing automatic energy shutoff, compatibility with multiple sheaths and clear tip visibility under intracardiac echocardiography (ICE).
The medtech giant says its planned acquisition of Atraverse should strengthen its portfolio of cardiac ablation solutions. That includes the Varipulse platform and Carto 3 mapping system.
Johnson & Johnson expects to close the transaction in the second quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions. It declined to disclose financial terms.
