Merit Medical Systems Blogs

I Am Merit: Michelle Molin-Savelkoul

Kelly Branan — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 10:22:00 +0000

Michelle Molin-Savelkoul

Manager, Customer Service for Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA)
photo: Leon Vrijdag Fotografie

Tell us about managing Merit Medical’s Customer Service for all of Europe, Middle East and Africa: I manage Merit Medical's customer service for our distributors, direct customers (hospitals) as well as the tender department for all of Europe, Middle East, Africa and Russia (EMEA). When I started (on November 3, 2008), there were three of us in the Distributor Customer Service department for EMEA and approximately 20 people at our facility. Over the past 7 years the number of employees increased to just over 60 people and I now manage 24 customer service employees, soon to be 25 before the end of this year!

I work from our European Headquarters in beautiful Maastricht in the very southern region of The Netherlands on the border of Belgium and Germany.

Tolerance is Key for EMEA Customer Service: The biggest (and most rewarding) challenge for our EMEA Customer Service team is working with 75 countries that speak 12 different languages. This includes 14 countries that sell direct to hospitals and 61 distributor countries. Our team services 1,830 external customers and 75 Merit EMEA sales representatives! Our team speaks Spanish, Portuguese, Danish, Swedish, Russian, English, French, German, Dutch, Norwegian, Finnish and Italian and at all times we need to make sure that someone who speaks that language is available to speak with customers calling in.

Tolerance is a very important trait to have when you work in EMEA customer service because we must be familiar with and sensitive to so many different cultures. So I'm sensitive to having a team with a good vibe and I look for people who can maintain a sense of humor while managing so many customers and nationalities.

On why it’s all important to Michelle: I once had a job opportunity to work for a company in a different industry. It didn’t feel important to me – medical devices save lives, they are important and that’s why I love this industry. This was confirmed recently when my husband David suddenly had a heart attack at age 39. Products like the ones that Merit manufactures saved his life. We got married this past weekend after 15 years of being together. I would trust Merit products to go into my husband's body – I know that we make the highest quality and we do everything we can to produce the best we can.

What about Merit do you enjoy: Merit has a family feeling, it's like a second home. The people in this company give you that second family feeling. And Customer Service feels to me like the center of everything. We provide all of the information to planning so they can ensure products ship on time, to finance, to logistics, to regulatory, to marketing, to the customer, internally and externally. To them we are the face of Merit.

I have especially enjoyed working with Justin Lampropoulos - he helped me move up from distributor customer service representative to my current position as Customer Service Manager for EMEA. He has motivated me all along the way. His vision for Merit to be the most customer-focused company has been my mantra for our EMEA customer service team - give every country what they need – do anything and everything we can for the customer. That's what makes Merit very unique in our industry.

After work: On the weekends I love to take my two daughters horseback riding. Yadira is 11 and Yuna is 8. Horses really help me to destress from the week and it's an activity we love doing together.

Merit Medical featured in Utah Business Connect magazine

Kelly Branan — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 16:14:00 +0000

Justin Lampropoulos, Executive Vice President of Sales, Marketing & Strategy for Merit Medical Systems, recently contributed the article, "The Building Blocks of Sustainable International Growth," to Business Connect Utah magazine. In his article he shares key insights into growing a business internationally, including finding shared culture and values, developing successful channels and building a brand in a new market.

Merit Medical derives nearly 50% of its business from global markets outside the United States. This global success and Merit's continued growth stems from smart, forward-thinking tactics as well as the company's stated vision to deliver the best health care possible. Merit uses this universal foundation to follow through globally on its corporate vision: Each day we are determined to make a difference by understanding our customers' needs, and innovating and delivering a diverse range of products that improve the lives of people, families, and communities throughout the world.

Read the Business Connect Utah article.

ThinkRadial™ Establishes Influential Presence at CIRSE

Kelly Branan — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 16:29:00 +0000

Largest Interventional Radiology Event of the Year Is Site for Transradial Education from Leading Industry Source ThinkRadial™

LISBON, PORTUGAL – September 26, 2015 – Merit Medical Systems, Inc. and its renowned ThinkRadial™ education program will host a targeted symposium at this year’s Annual Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe (CIRSE) Annual Meeting. The ThinkRadial™ Symposium “Transradial Approach in Interventional Radiology” will provide attendees with the latest information about utilizing the radial artery for interventional radiology procedures.

ThinkRadial™ Symposium at CIRSE - "Transradial Approach in Interventional Radiology"

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015 – 13:00 – 14:00
WHERE: Auditorium 6
WHO: Moderator: Professor Dr. Christoph A. Binkert – CIRSE Scientific Programme Committee Deputy Chairperson, Director of Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine and Chief of Radiology at Kantonsspital Winterthur, Winterthur, Switzerland.

Speakers: Dr. Darren Klass, Interventional Radiologist at Vancouver Imaging, working at Vancouver General and UBC Hospitals in Vancouver, Canada; and Dr. Aaron M. Fischman, Assistant Professor of Radiology and Surgery in the Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology at The Mount Sinai Medical Center.

Merit Medical/ThinkRadial™ Booth #45 The Merit Medical CIRSE booth will feature information about its embolics and radial product portfolios as well as ThinkRadial™, a program powered by Merit Medical that offers immersive radial training courses, advanced workshops, and ongoing education and support.

WHEN: Sept. 26 – 30, 2015
WHO: Available for briefings with the media

Justin Lampropoulos, Executive Vice President, Merit Medical Sales, Marketing and Strategy and recognized as one of the "40 Medtech Innovators Under 40" by the industry.
Rob Jenkins, Executive Vice President, EMEA

Physicians Partner with Merit to further the field of Interventional Radiology In conjunction with CIRSE, Merit Medical has partnered with several well-respected physicians to highlight its commitment to advancing the field of interventional radiology. This powerful branding campaign called "Starts with ME," profiles Dr. Darren Klass, Interventional Radiologist at Vancouver Imaging, working at Vancouver General and UBC Hospitals in Vancouver, Canada; Dr. Amman Bolia –Consultant Radiologist for the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust in Leicester, United Kingdom and nominated for a Pioneer in Performance award by CIRSE; and Dr. Christoph A. Binkert, CIRSE Scientific Programme Committee Deputy Chairperson, Director of Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine and Chief of Radiology at Kantonsspital Winterthur, Winterthur, Switzerland.

The campaign demonstrates that Merit Medical is committed to a company culture that takes a listen-first approach to product development to best support its clinician customers' efforts to advance their fields and achieve better patient outcomes.

Visit http://startswithme.com/.

To schedule an interview at the ThinkRadial booth or to attend the ThinkRadial Symposium contact: Theresa Gubler 001-801-208-1100, Theresa.gubler@sb5pr.com.

ABOUT ThinkRadial™ ThinkRadial, powered by Merit Medical Systems, Inc., is a community of clinicians and experts committed to furthering transradial access for better patient outcomes and healthcare economics. ThinkRadial provides trainings, clinical field assistance, patient resources and promotional opportunities for physicians seeking to begin or advance their transradial practice. The ThinkRadial world-class, hands-on transradial training is offered at sites in numerous countries around the globe. These courses are designed to provide comprehensive exposure to transradial interventional skills ranging from case selection and preparation to procedural logistics and equipment selection as well as a significant focus on technical skills, troubleshooting and management of complications. ThinkRadial.com, guided by an impressive roster of Board of Advisors (thinkradial.com/advisors/), provides access to a comprehensive library of peer-reviewed articles, clinical literature, books, numerous videos, and a blog on the transradial approach. Please visit www.thinkradial.com.

I Am Merit: Michelle Xu

Kelly Branan — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 09:23:00 +0000

Above all else, Merit Asia’s third employee, Michelle Xu, Channel Management Supervisor, enjoys working with her dedicated Merit colleagues "who never say never."

Working for Merit Asia as it continues to grow: I joined Merit Asia five and a half years ago in 2010 as an Administration Assistant. I was the third employee then, and now, as of the end of September, we have 89 employees with Merit Asia! I enjoy working for Merit because it is a friendly, flexible and open environment to present your opinions, share your ideas and discuss better solutions. A good work ethic is always encouraged and outstanding performance is rewarded. Merit provides us with different kinds of opportunities to thrive.

Her responsibilities as Channel Management Supervisor: As Asian Channel Management Supervisor I manage 380 distributors in Mainland China and 30 distributors in Southeast Asia. My key responsibilities include conducting due diligence, legal documentation review, on-line compliance training and Agreement and Letter of Authorization as well as distributor performance evaluation and incentives calculation. In addition to my distributor responsibilities I manage sales promotion control, internal process improvements, data analysis and dealer training. Channel Management is an important function that acts like a "doorkeeper," to monitor distributors' qualification and activities, and like a "bridge," to build up a channel and connect external distributors with internal Merit sales representatives. As the Channel Management Supervisor, I ensure that Merit is receiving maximum benefit from our distributors and contribute to the overall sales organization.

On what she enjoys most about Merit: No doubt, if nothing else, THE PEOPLE! People are precious to Merit. All of our incredible achievements have come from the Merit team's continuous efforts and amazing creations. I enjoy my colleagues who are professional, dedicated and never say never. I am delighted to work with them and celebrate every milestone moment together.

How she spends her time outside of work: I am an outdoor enthusiast and like swimming, spinning, mountain climbing and hiking. I will travel around the world during my annual holiday. Reading books and cooking are also my favorites during my spare time.

I Am Merit: Sarah Spangler

Kelly Branan — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 17:07:00 +0000

Sales Engineer Sarah Spangler customizes Merit Medical products and devices for Merit's OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) customers. Sarah spends her days collaborating with the OEM sales team, customers and other Merit engineers to ensure that we can provide a product that meets the customers' needs and procedures. Watch her video interview.

I Am Merit: Ricardo Alvarez

Kelly Branan — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 08:11:00 +0000

Ricardo always tries to include his team – because his team makes him feel successful.

At Merit Medical's newest facility in Tijuana, Mexico, Manufacturing Manager Ricardo Alvarez does everything he can to ensure his employees feel successful – because his team is what makes Ricardo feel successful.

The path to becoming the 2nd employee at Merit Tijuana: I moved my family to Tijuana in January 2014 when I accepted a position with Integra, a contract manufacturer to Merit for seven years. At Integra I assembled a high performance team to produce Merit products with high standards for Safety, Quality, Delivery and Costs. This April, I had the privilege to become part of the Merit family as the Manufacturing Manager and second employee at the new Merit Tijuana Mexico Plant.

Ricardo's Hiring Philosophy: I currently have 190 total employees covering Engineering, Facilities, Maintenance and Production. I always try to include my team because my team makes me successful. When I hire I look more at personality and values. I take interviewees to the manufacturing floor to see whether they are passionate and enjoy what they do. Technical skills can be learned, but personality and values is so important because they need to fit well with the team and the company’s vision.

How Ricardo Shapes the Merit Culture in Tijuana: Right now we're the new kids on the block in Tijuana. But my goal is for employees to stay here a long time because many on our corporate team have 15-20 years seniority! And I believe we can achieve that goal if we follow the Merit culture treating people the best we can and looking after our employees' personal lives. For example, here at Merit we provide free transportation to and from work, lunch and snacks and life insurance – these benefits are not typical around Tijuana and we want to be the best!

On his Commitment to Work and Family: My passion is Manufacturing Operations and I feel a high degree of responsibility to ensure every single device is manufactured with quality, delivered on time, meets standard costs and exceeds the expectations of our customers, so they can use my products or any other Merit device to improve their quality of life. My best hobby is my family: my wife Alessandra Aranda is my motivation, she supports me in many ways, listening, coaching and living in the manufacturing world with me. We have two children, Constanza age 9, she loves to do yoga, and Andre who is 2 is getting ready to play Soccer! We enjoy biking or simply watching a movie together and the best feeling is to end up the week every Sunday with the work done and the family happy!

I Am Merit: Maeve Harris

Kelly Branan — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 08:18:00 +0000

The large decal on the wall of Maeve's pack area was her unique idea to make the room special and different. It remains one of the most colorful work spaces throughout all of Merit's facilities. - Photo by Backer McKenzie

At Merit Medical's Galway facility, Quotes and Samples Analyst, Maeve Harris, enjoys meeting directly with physician customers and helping them find solutions that make their jobs more efficient.

Maeve's Unique Role at Merit Medical: A Merit sales rep from Europe or a distributor from the Middle East or Asia will come to me if one of their physician customers wants a procedure pack. They'll tell me what they want in that procedure pack and I'll price it out and build a non-sterile sample to send to the customer. The procedure pack will include everything the doctor needs for that specific procedure, from devices to accessories that Merit doesn’t manufacture, like drapes. These packs save a lot of time for the hospitals and make the doctor's job more efficient. Once the doctor orders the pack, my job is done until they want to make a change – then they come back to me.

Why she loves coming to work every day: The doctors come to our Vision Building in Galway to meet with me and pull product from our shelves. We collect it all in the pack work area and I build the pack with the customer. I get to meet many new people all the time – our international sales reps and our customers. Every day is different. I really enjoy being able to find solutions for our customers and seeing their appreciation for the opportunity to visit the beautiful Merit facility and the customized efforts we make on their behalf.

On why she stays settled at Merit: I grew up in the middle of Ireland. I've lived in several places, as distant as Australia. I've tried a few different careers. I was a bit of a wanderer until I moved to Galway to work for Merit six years ago. I started on the production line and later became team leader, eventually helping to start Merit’s custom packs business in 2012 – the first production lot was very exciting! I feel very lucky to have been moved up from production – Merit has given me opportunities. There's always something new for me to learn here and it keeps me going.

After work: I love hiking in the mountains and beauty of Ireland. I come from a large family - four sisters and one brother and my nieces keep me very busy!

If you could send one message to our customers: Merit provides a very individually tailored product and experience for our customers. Other companies claim that they customize, but they don’t customize like we truly do.

I Am Merit: Connie Ackerman

Kelly Branan — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 15:21:00 +0000

Merit Medical's Production Planning Manager on her approach to Planning, her work/family balance and how she takes her responsibilities “personally.”

Connie's History with Merit: "I've worked with Fred (as in Fred Lampropoulos, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Merit Medical) for more than 32 years, starting in 1983 at Utah Medical. I started on the production line and moved up through several positions to Planning. Fred brought me to Merit Medical's Planning Department in 1991 as a Planner for our production and molding facilities. In 2011, I was promoted to Manager of Production Planning for all manufacturing out of Merit's Utah HQ and today I manage seven, soon to be eight Planners."

Her Loyalty to Merit Medical: "Fred's dedication, drive and commitment to his employees makes Merit feel like a home away from home. Fred is just as committed to the people here as he is to the business. And that's why we've grown like we have - it's incredible to see how far we've come! Sometimes you just want to say slow down!! But he just keeps going. Fred has inspired my work ethic and set my drive. I'm not sure I could work for someone other than Fred or anywhere other than Merit for these reasons."

On her Approach to Planning: "I see Planning as the hub of Merit. We could stop a hospital from completing procedures if a product doesn’t get there. Therefore my job is an important step in saving a patient's life - and I take this responsibility personally. This drives me in everything I do, from my persistent personality to get things done, to hiring Planners who share this same drive. I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure we meet our customers' needs by getting their orders to them on or ahead of time. We love to beat lead times! We have the strongest planning department we've ever had – everyone is proactive and communication flows freely between us and the Customer Service department to ensure our customers have the best experience possible."

After Work: "When I leave the office my family is my life. I'm married to Rob and we have two kids – Jacob who is 18 and will be leaving for college in the fall, and Kallie, 16, who just got her driver's license! My kids are my everything to me – we love hanging with our two dogs, camping and 4-wheeling together. At night when I get home I do mom stuff – cook, clean, etc. Late at night I can't resist reading my Merit emails – but when I’m home – being a wife and a mom is my priority."

1500 Shipments Per Day. Delivery to over 100 Countries. 20 Languages Spoken.

Kelly Branan — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 12:57:00 +0000

It's not FedEx. It's not UPS. It's not TNT. It's a global medical device company: Merit Medical. Today Merit Medical opened its recently expanded Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) distribution center and corporate office in Maastricht, the Netherlands. This advanced distribution center and the service it provides hospitals, physicians, and nurses in more than 100 countries throughout the EMEA region shows Merit Medical continuing its quest to be the most customer-focused company in healthcare.

Merit Offers Radial Internal Mammary Catheter for Navigating LIMA Grafts

Kelly Branan — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 15:39:00 +0000

Transradial cardiac catheterization in patients with previous coronary artery bypass graft surgery can be technically challenging.

Since the majority of CABG patients have a left internal mammary artery (LIMA) graft to the left anterior descending artery (LAD), many radial operators choose to perform catheterization procedures in CABG patients from a left radial approach using standard femoral diagnostic catheters. However, other operators have reported success with the right radial access to the LIMA. Right radial access for right radial LIMA angiography provides more comfortable access from the right side of the patient, reduces back strain, and the need to reach over the patient, especially patients who are obese.

For patients with LIMA grafts, Merit Medical now offers a Radial Internal Mammary catheter to facilitate navigation to the left internal mammary from the right transradial approach. The Merit Radial Internal Mammary catheter is available in 4F and 5F, 110 cm lengths. The Impress® material offers a highly torqueable shaft with a soft, tapered atraumatic tip.

Combining Merit’s broad offering of products for radial approach with your clinical expertise can help achieve the improved outcomes you expect from the radial approach including reduced complications, quicker ambulation, and increased patient comfort.

For more information about the Impress Radial Internal Mammary catheter and Merit’s growing portfolio of products for your radial procedures, visit the product page on merit.com.

Tami Anderson
Senior Product Manager

Next Generation of the Merit Snares iPad® App Is Now Available

Kelly Branan — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 13:41:00 +0000

I am pleased to announce the availability of the next generation Merit Snares for iPad. This app is designed to help customers when selecting the appropriate EN Snare® or ONE Snare® product configuration for use in a desired vessel. The app also provides the technical product code specifications for reference and ordering purposes.

Interested in downloading Merit Snares for iPad? You can download it from the App Store via the following link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/merit-snares/id951074703?ls=1&mt=8

Designed with accuracy and reliability in mind, the ONE Snare and the EN Snare Endovascular Snare Systems go hand-in-hand to provide physicians with both single loop and triple loop options to help meet clinically-challenging case that may arise.

 Jesse Hansen
 Director of Marketing

InQwire® Diagnostic Guide Wire Available in Baby J Configuration To Facilitate Transradial Intervention

Kelly Branan — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 11:32:00 +0000

Manipulating diagnostic guide wires through radial vasculature can sometimes be a little more complex than the pathways used during femoral access. To help facilitate radial navigation, Merit offers its InQwire diagnostic guide wire in both the standard J 3.0 mm curved tip as well as a 1.5 mm smaller ”baby” J tip configuration. The smaller, more closed J tip can help you navigate through the vasculature without selecting unwanted branches along the pathway.

The InQwire guide wire is precoated over the entire wire surface for smooth, consistent coverage that resists flaking. Smooth PTFE coating means less friction which improves trackability, lubricity, and durability. InQwire wires also have precise J-tip memory that ensures tip shape retention during utilization.

Catalog Code	Diameter	J Tip	Length	Configuration
IQ35F210J1O5	0.035" (0.89 mm)	1.5 mm	210 cm	Standard
IQ35F210J1O5F	0.035" (0.89 mm)	1.5 mm	210 cm	Firm
IQ35F210J3	0.035" (0.89 mm)	3.0 mm	210 cm	Standard
IQ35F220J3	0.035" (0.89 mm)	3.0 mm	220 cm	Standard
IQ35F260J1O5	0.035" (0.89 mm)	1.5 mm	260 cm	Standard, Exchange
IQ35F260J1O5F	0.035" (0.89 mm)	1.5 mm	260 cm	Firm Exchange
IQ35F260J3	0.035" (0.89 mm)	3.0 mm	260 cm	Standard Exchange

Having the right tools for your radial procedure provides the efficiency and effectiveness that can help ensure a successful outcome for your patients. Contact your local Merit Sales Representative to learn more about InQwire for radial and our extensive line of products for radial approach.

Penny Goldman
Senior Product Manager

Merit Medical To Exhibit Dialysis Product Line at American Society of Diagnostic and Interventional Nephrology (ASDIN) in Orlando, February 13-15, 2015

Kelly Branan — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 14:44:00 +0000

Merit Medical is exhibiting at the 11th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Society of Diagnostic and Interventional Nephrology in Orlando, Florida to introduce attendees to its expanding line of Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis products. The Merit Medical dialysis product suite includes the following key products:

The CentrosFLO® Hemodialysis Catheter, invented by Dr. Stephen Ash, was shown in a recent retrospective study to have statistically greater patency after three months due to its self-centering, curved-tip catheter which is designed to reduce thrombosis and fibrin sheath formation.1
The ProGuide™ Hemodialysis Catheter has a step-tip with an appositional bump design intended to reduce arterial insufficiency by keeping the tip of the catheter from sucking up against the vessel wall. The ProGuide is well known as an exchange catheter due to its easy, over the wire placement capability.
The Flex-Neck® line of Peritoneal Dialysis Catheters allow for up to 35% higher flow rates than other catheters currently on the US market. The Flex-Neck Classic and ARC shapes are designed to accommodate various tunneling techniques and exit site options. Our unique Implantation Systems are designed to streamline your specific implantation technique.
The Merit Percutaneous Implantation Kit for peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter placement is designed to accommodate stylet or over-the-wire placement using ultrasound-guided access and fluoroscopy. To see how the kit is used, watch the PD Percutaneous Implantation Video.

Visit Merit Medical at Booth 207 to learn more about this broad line of products designed to enhance the practice of dialysis interventions and catheter placements.

Nathan Smith
Senior Product Manager

Lynette Ruppel
Senior Product Manager

1Data on file

Merit Medical’s ConcierGE® Guiding Catheter Now Available in Radial-Specific Shapes

Kelly Branan — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 12:02:00 +0000

Minimizing the number of catheter exchanges is important for transradial interventions in order to reduce the likelihood of spasm.1 Using catheters with radial-specific shapes may help radial operators minimize the number of catheter exchanges that can result in spasm.1

To meet the needs of radial diagnostic and interventional procedures, Merit Medical now offers the Ultimate 1 shape in both diagnostic catheters and ConcierGE® Guiding Excellence catheters with radial-specific shapes.

ConcierGE has approximately 30% more kink resistance2 and better torque response3 than the leading guiding catheter brands.

Cardiologists will now have the ability to match their guiding catheter to the shape of their diagnostic catheters, helping to reduce the need for multiple catheter exchanges.

Merit's Performa Ultimate™ diagnostic cardiology catheters include four radial–specific shapes including the Ultimate shape, which can be used in both right and left coronary arteries using a single catheter.

ConcierGE and Performa Ultimate–more shapes give radialists more options for successful access.

Guido Sanduilli
Marketing Director
Cardiovascular Division

1 Kwan et al, http://www.ptca.org/radial/optitorque_kwan.html
2 Data on File. Test results are based on 6F guide catheter comparison.
3 Data on file. At ½ hub rotation.

Merit Medical Showcased Products for Lead Implantation at International Symposium on Clinical Pacing in Rome

Kelly Branan — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 11:11:00 +0000

I've just returned from the XVI International Symposium on Progress in Clinical Pacing that was held in Rome, Italy. The symposium was a big success. Merit Medical was a sponsor of this meeting dedicated to the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias where innovation and new diagnostic and therapeutic techniques are discussed.

Dr. Seth J. Worley of Lancaster, Pennsylvania was one of the Course Directors of a half-day symposium on Interventional Device Implantation that was conducted over three sessions with Dr. Buongiorni from Pisa, Italy and Dr. Torkel Steen from Oslo, Norway as co-chairs. Some of the topics discussed were:

"How to Cross a Subclavian Occlusion for Venous Access"
"Snares for LV Lead Implantation: the most powerful technique for difficult LV lead insertion that often replaces venoplasty and anchor balloons"
"Interventional vs. Traditional Approach to Device Implantation"

Dr. Worley is the inventor of Merit’s Worley™ LV Delivery System. This telescoping system provides the options and tools needed to overcome the challenges of complex LV lead location and to help deliver leads, even in difficult cases. Clinical evidence has shown that a telescoping support catheter system can reduce implantation times, provide easier access to the target vessel, and improve chances for successful CRT implantation.1

To learn more about Merit's products for CRT implantation, click on the links below.

Worley™ Advanced CSG

Worley™ Advanced LVI

Worley™ Vein Selector

Matt Toone
Marketing Director, EP

1 Jackson KP, Hegland DD, Frazier-Mills C, Piccini JP, Koontz JI, Atwater BD, Daubert JP, Worley SJ. Impact of using a telescoping-support catheter system for left ventricular lead placement on implant success and procedure time of cardiac resynchronization therapy. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2013 May; 36(5):553-8.

ReSolve® Biliary Locking Drainage Catheter receives 510(k) clearance!

Kelly Branan — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 12:02:00 +0000

I am pleased to announce that the ReSolve® Biliary Locking Drainage Catheter has received 510(k) clearance and is available for sale in the US.

The ReSolve Biliary Locking Drainage Catheter has been available in Europe since July of this year and has had good success.

These catheters are indicated for drainage of bile within the biliary system. Often biliary systems need to be decompressed due to bile duct stones, extrahepatic, or intrahepatic tumors, and primary sclerosing cholangitis, among other reasons. In addition bile may also need to be diverted from a bile duct leak.

Biliary system lesions do not always occur in the same location in every patient. Because of this, Merit offers catheters with two different drainage hole configurations to accommodate patient anatomy and multiple disease locations.

Correct catheter positioning is important in these procedures. The catheter features a radiopaque marker band near the proximal shaft drainage hole, and non-radiopaque depth markers the entire length of the catheter to help with fast and accurate positioning.

Additional features:

Atraumatic pigtail
Smooth transitions
Large drainage holes
Hydrophilic coating
Kink resistance

To learn more, check out the ReSolve® Biliary Locking Drainage Catheter product webpage.

Richard Collard
Senior Product Manager
Merit Medical Systems, Inc.

ONE Snare® Endovascular Snare System Microsnare Sizes Receive FDA 510(k) Clearance

Kelly Branan — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 16:42:00 +0000

I'm pleased to announce that ONE Snare microsnare sizes are FDA 510(k) cleared and available for sale in the United States.

These new ONE Snare product configurations are available in loop diameters of 2 mm, 4 mm and 7 mm with a 2.3F-3F snare delivery catheter. The ONE Snare suite of endovascular snares are now available in fifteen kit configurations with ten loop diameters ranging from 2 mm to 35 mm. These sizes complete the suite of ONE Snare product configurations and give physicians additional choice and options when foreign body manipulation or retrieval procedures arise.

Designed with accuracy and reliability in mind, the ONE Snare and the EN Snare® Endovascular Snare Systems go hand-in-hand to provide physicians with both single loop and triple loop options to help meet any clinically-challenging case that may arise, because having options matters.

To learn more, visit the ONE Snare product webpage.

Jesse Hansen
Marketing Director

Scion Clo-Sur P.A.D. to be included in Companion to Braunwald’s Heart Disease Textbook

Kelly Branan — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 10:46:00 +0000

Merit Medical was recently notified that an illustration featuring the Scion Clo-Sur P.A.D will be included in Cardiovascular Intervention: A Companion to Braunwald's Heart Disease, first edition by Deepak L. Bhatt MD. The book's publication date is May 2015. Braunwald's Heart Disease is a textbook of cardiovascular medicine. It is updated frequently to include the latest clinical trials, new research, and updates on clinical practice for practitioners, physicians-in-training, and students of cardiology. The author, Deepak L. Bhatt MD, MPH, FACC, FAHA, FSCAI, FESC is a Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Executive Director, Interventional Cardiovascular Programs, Brigham and Women’s Hospital Heart & Vascular Center, in Boston, Massachusetts. He has authored or co-authored over 700 publications. Dr. Bhatt is the Editor of the peer-reviewed Journal of Invasive Cardiology, Chief Medical Editor of Cardiology Today’s Intervention for healthcare professionals, and Editor-in-Chief of the Harvard Heart Letter for patients.

The Clo-Sur P.A.D. is a non-woven topical pad made with a proprietary polyprolate, a positively-charged material that reacts with negatively-charged red blood cells to accelerate clotting. The Clo-Sur P.A.D. promotes hemostasis and the Clo-Sur PLUS P.A.D.™ promotes hemostasis and is indicated as an antimicrobial barrier.

The book's illustration depicts how the Clo-Sur P.A.D.'s positive charge which reacts with negatively charged red blood cells to accelerate clotting in the tissue tract.

To learn more about the Clo-Sur P.A.D., watch the product video or Contact Us.

Mark Heninger
Senior Product Manager

ONE Snare® Endovascular Snare System Microsnare Sizes Approved for Sale in Europe

Kelly Branan — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 13:24:00 +0000

I'm pleased to announce that ONE Snare microsnare sizes are CE marked and available for sale in Europe.

Merit Medical Exhibiting at 2014 VEITH Symposium in New York on November 18-22

Kelly Branan — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 11:54:00 +0000

Merit Medical is proud to support the VEITH Symposium, celebrating its 41st year, in New York City. Attendees for this meeting include vascular surgeons, interventional radiologists, interventional cardiologists and other vascular specialists.

If you plan to attend VEITH, please make sure to stop by our booth to learn more about our latest innovations from access to intervention. Some of these unique devices include:

From preparation to intervention, our products are designed to help achieve the clinical, economical, and procedural efficiency that is essential for delivering the best possible care.

Look forward to seeing you at VEITH!

Jesse Hansen
Marketing Director

Merit Medical Donates PD Catheters for Stuffed Animals to Comfort Young Patients

Kelly Branan — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 11:23:00 +0000

Recently we heard from a pediatric nephrology nurse at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center who requested a number of our pediatric Flex-Neck® peritoneal dialysis catheters on behalf of Tubie Friends™. They wanted to give their young patients a furry friend who has a PD catheter just like theirs, with hopes of making the process less frightening. We were more than willing to donate to this worthy cause.

The sales and marketing staff at Merit Medical worked together to provide the requested catheters. We were pleased to see the end result, this adorable PD Bunny pictured here. The PD nurse said the response from the patient was priceless: "It looks just like me!"

Tubie Friends is a non-profit group that was founded by two mothers of children with implanted feeding tubes. These moms wanted to make life easier for children who are receiving treatment through PD catheters or tubing.

Tubie Friends are not only donated to patients but also sold to raise funds for the organization. These comforting toys have been used as a teaching tool for family, friends, school nurses, and caregivers to help children become comfortable and less fearful of implanted tubes and catheters.

If you'd like more information about Merit Medical's complete line of peritoneal dialysis products, please Contact Us.

Lynette Ruppel
Senior Product Manager

VIVA 2014 Quality Improvement Call to Action Includes Sessions on Ultrasound-Guided Vascular Access and Micropuncture Technique

Kelly Branan — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 15:21:00 +0000

One of the risks of vascular access is the inadvertent vascular puncture of the posterior wall, side branches, and veins. It can lead to increased hemorrhagic risk in anticoagulated patients, hematoma, or pseudoaneurysm. Because this is such a common problem for clinicians and their patients, this year's VIVA (Vascular Interventional Advances) meeting is including a Quality Improvement Call to Action on ultrasound-guided vascular access that includes sessions on micropuncture technique.

Merit Medical invites VIVA attendees to visit our booth to learn more about the Merit MAK™ and S-MAK™ mini access kits designed to support micropuncture technique. These mini access kits for the percutaneous placement of 0.035" (0.89 mm) or 0.038" (0.97 mm) guide wires include

NEEDLE

21G, smaller needle to minimize trauma and bleeding
4 cm, 7cm and 9 cm lengths
Standard MDX coating reduces insertion force and drag
Echo-enhanced tip option

GUIDE WIRE

Stainless steel and Nitinol mandrel core wires
Tip options: stainless steel, platinum or palladium
40 cm, 60 cm and 80 cm lengths
0.018” diameter

INTRODUCER

Excellent transitions from dilator to introducer
Smooth insertion
4F-5F sizes
10 cm and 15 cm lengths

DILATOR

Excellent transitions from wire to dilator
MAK for all applicable vascular access sites.
S-MAK has a stiffened dilator for placement in scar tissue, tougher skin, calcified or diseased vessels, or obese patients.

GUIDE WIRE ALIGNMENT DEVICE

BowTie™ offers an elegant solution to the problem of aligning micro guide wires with devices for quick and easy insertion.

We're looking forward to seeing you at VIVA November 4-7 at the Wynn in Las Vegas. Until then, you can find more information on Merit's extensive line of products for vascular access on merit.com.

Chan Ream
Product Manager
Vascular Access

Merit Medical to Exhibit Dialysis Product Line at Controversies in Dialysis (CIDA) Conference in Salt Lake City, October 23-24, 2014

Kelly Branan — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 11:12:00 +0000

The world's premier dialysis access conference is coming to Salt Lake City. We look forward to meeting the attendees who come to CIDA to discuss unique techniques and devices for hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis access.

Merit Medical's full suite of innovative dialysis products can help you improve your patient's quality of life when treating end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Our comprehensive dialysis product line features long-term hemodialysis catheters and peritoneal dialysis implantation kits, catheters, and accessories. These products are designed to meet the unique clinical needs of the ESRD patient.

For every step of your dialysis procedure, Merit Medical offers high-quality products for dialysis therapy. From preparation to intervention, our products will help you achieve the clinical, economical, and procedural efficiency that is essential for delivering the best possible care.

We look forward to seeing you at CIDA!

Nate Smith
Senior Product Manager
Hemodialysis

Lynette Ruppel
Senior Product Manager
Peritoneal Dialysis

MERIT MEDICAL ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF THE SURECROSS SUPPORT CATHETER

Kelly Branan — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 15:45:00 +0000

Merit Medical is pleased to announce the launch of the Merit SureCross® Support Catheter. The SureCross is used to guide and support guide wires, traverse vasculature, facilitate guide wire exchanges, and deliver infusions of saline, contrast, and therapeutic agents. It is designed to give physicians trackability, pushability, and visibility when treating patients with difficult occlusions resulting from peripheral arterial disease (P.A.D.).

TRACKABILITY - SHAFT TECHNOLOGY

40 cm distal hydrophilic coating for smooth tracking through tortuous anatomy
Maximum infusion pressure of 300 psi

PUSHABILITY - GUIDE WIRE COMPATIBILITY

Low profile seamless transition from catheter to guide wire for exceptional crossing support
Matches guide wire outer diameter (OD) within 0.001" for added strength and pushability

VISIBILITY - TIP DESIGN

Translucent shaft for improved visualization
3 platinum marker bands to confirm positioning
Internal platinum distal marker band
2 mm distance from tip to marker band for accuracy of tip location

Contact your Merit Sales Representative to evaluate the SureCross Support Catheter today.

Tami Anderson
Senior Product Manager

Updated Version of Merit Convert App now Available in the iPhone App Store

Kelly Branan — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 15:13:00 +0000

An updated version of Merit Medical's popular iPhone Convert App was launched with the release of the iPhone 6 and IOS8. Merit Convert is a handy tool for anyone with measurement conversions including area, length, mass, temperature and volume. For those in the Medical Device industry, the app also contains an artificial aging calculator, flow and pressure conversions and needle gauge and French size charts. There’s also a handy work week calendar so you can quickly determine the week that you’ll start and finish projects.

The Merit Convert App Version 1.4 includes minor design updates and bug fixes. To update the App if it’s already on your iPhone or to download the App for the first time, please visit the App Store on your iPhone. If you enjoy using the App, please take a moment to rate it!

To learn more visit www.meritoem.com/merit-convert-app.

Michelle Stevens
Merit OEM Senior Marketing Communications Manager