St. Jude: FDA Oks FlexAbility Ablation Catheter

(RTTNews) - St. Jude Medical Inc (STJ) on Tuesday said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the FlexAbility Ablation Catheter, a new ablation technology used by electrophysiologists for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias.

The company said the approval introduces the first and only irrigated ablation catheter with a flexible tip in the U.S., adding to its unrivaled ablation technology portfolio.

The FlexAbility catheter combines a bendable irrigated catheter tip with an advanced handle and next generation shaft design. The unique flexible tip was developed to conform better to the cardiac anatomy, allowing for effective lesion formation.

This added flexibility, in addition to the catheter's ability to maneuver easily and reliably in challenging cases, was designed to enhance the quality of care for patients around the world who require ablation procedures.

Last year, the FlexAbility catheter received CE Mark in Europe.