Alliance to Develop Surgical Ablation System

An exclusive multi-year agreement for the development and manufacture of a surgical ablation system to treat cardiac arrhythmias has been announced by Edwards Lifesciences Corp. (Irvine, CA, USA) and PLC Systems, Inc. (Franklin, MA, USA).

Edwards has developed the Optimize surgical ablation system, a cardiac laser designed to treat cardiac arrhythmias. Utilizing a proprietary fiberoptic and diffuser technology, it is designed to create a rise in tissue temperature. Lesions created in this process block the conduction of errant electrical signals in the heart. PLC and Edwards plan to develop the Optimize technology platform as a basis for future, less-invasive products that enable minimally invasive ablation treatment of cardiac arrhythmia.

Under the terms of their agreement, Edwards will transfer to PLC assets and technologies related to its Optimize program. PLC will assume the responsibility of ongoing product development and manufacturing of the Optimize system and disposable components. Edwards will be the exclusive worldwide distributor of these products. PLC and Edwards will jointly own all surgical cardiac ablation intellectual property developed under the agreement.

"By combining the development activities of the Optimize laser and disposable components within a focused organization that specializes in laser technologies, we believe we can further enhance the technology and accelerate the development of less-invasive approaches to this therapy.”




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