Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) won 510(k) clearance from the FDA for the Aquamantys surgical sealer it acquired when it paid $480 million for Salient Surgical Technologies last year.
It’s the fruition of a nearly 12-year journey for the "wet" electrode technology originally developed by Medtronic. Previously known as TissueLink Medical, Portsmouth, N.H.-based Salient launched in August 1999 after securing an exclusive global license to the technology.
Medtronic announced in July 2011 that it would acquire Salient, having participated in each of Salient’s 7 funding rounds over the last decade. A year ago, the company raised a final, $15 million round.
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The Aquamantys SBS 5.0 sheathed bipolar sealer is designed for use both with cut muscle tissue and with epidural veins, using what the Fridley, Minn.-based device giant calls "transcollation" technology: A "combination of radiofrequency energy and saline," according to a press release. It’s meant to reduce blood loss and improve visualization during spine procedures, according to Medtronic.
Salient won FDA clearance for a disposable version of the device in June 2011.
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