Merit Medical Systems Blogs

Merit Medical Hosted Industry Session and “Meet the Authors” Breakfast at Global Embolization Symposium and Technologies (GEST) in New York, May 3-6, 2012

Lincoln Cannon — Tue, 15 May 2012 09:48:00 +0000

Merit Medical exhibited at GEST, the "world's foremost meeting on embolization," in New York, May 3-6, 2012. GEST assembled experts from around the world to discuss the latest developments in embolization therapy and treatment. The symposium included lectures, panel discussions, demonstrations, and hands-on sessions.

Merit Medical sponsored an industry session on Thursday, May 3 from 12:30 to 1:15 P.M. Speakers Maurizio Grosso, MD and Julien Namur, PhD discussed "HepaSphere™ Microspheres for HCC: Patient Outcomes and Considerations in Embolic Sizing."

Merit Medical also hosted a "Meet the Authors" breakfast reception on Friday, May 4 from 6:45 to 7:45 A.M. with innovators and thought leaders in Interventional Radiology and Oncology including Francisco Carnevale, MD, PhD, Alberto Antunes, MD, Maurizio Grosso, MD and Julien Namur, PhD.

We enjoyed hosting these events and talking with GEST attendees about our suite of tools for embolization procedures including the Merit Maestro® Microcatheter, Tenor® Steerable Guidewire, and other products designed to enhance the practice of interventional medicine.

Merit Medical Recognized as a Diamond Sponsor of Global Embolization Symposium and Technologies (GEST) 2012

Lincoln Cannon — Tue, 15 May 2012 09:43:00 +0000

Merit Medical was recognized as a Diamond-level sponsor at GEST 2012 in New York, May 3-6. A Diamond-level sponsor designation is given to companies who contribute $100,000 or more to support the annual GEST symposium, its audiovisual services, GEST faculty, and educational materials.

Each year, GEST assembles experts from around the world to discuss the latest studies, treatment options, and clinical results using embolization for the treatment of peripheral vascular disease, aortic disease, uterine fibroids, trauma, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, vascular malformations, and liver cancers.

GEST 2012 acknowledged Merit Medical's support in the syllabus/course book as well as on signs and display boards on site at the symposium.

Merit Medical is proud of its sponsorship, which allows the symposium to provide excellence in continuing medical education and to enhance the educational experience of attendees at the "world's foremost meeting on embolization."

Merit Medical Hosted Satellite Symposium on HepaSphere™ Microspheres at ECIO 2012

Lincoln Cannon — Tue, 15 May 2012 09:33:00 +0000

The Third European Conference on Interventional Oncology (ECIO) was held April 25-28 in Florence, Italy. ECIO assembles experts from around the world to discuss the latest advances in cancer imaging and treatment in satellite symposia, scientific programs, and hands-on workshops.

Merit Medical hosted a satellite symposium: “HepaSphere Microspheres for HCC: patient outcomes and considerations in embolic sizing.” Maurizio Grosso, MD presented “HepaSphere Microspheres for unresectable HCC: clinical results” and Valentin Verret, Eng, MSc presented “HepaSphere Microspheres: pre-clinical comparative data for smaller size HepaSphere Microspheres.”

We were proud to showcase HepaSphere Microspheres and the compelling advantages of drug-eluting TACE for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma along with our suite of tools for embolization procedures including the Merit Maestro® Microcatheter, Tenor® Steerable Guidewire, and other procedural products.

Merit Medical Releases Interactive App for the EN Snare® Endovascular Snare System

Lincoln Cannon — Tue, 08 May 2012 12:53:00 +0000

I am pleased to announce the availability of a new interactive app for the EN Snare Endovascular Snare System. This app is designed to help customers when selecting the appropriate EN Snare configuration for use in a desired vein or artery. The app is also designed to provide the EN Snare product codes and technical specifications for reference and ordering purposes.

Interested in downloading the EN Snare Endovascular Snare System interactive app? You can access it via the following web link:

http://cloud.merit.com/apps/ensnare/index.html

To add this interactive app to your iPad, open the link within Safari and select the menu option “Add to Home Screen.” Once complete, close Safari and access the app directly by tapping on the EN Snare app icon.

Jesse Hansen
Senior Product Manager, Merit Medical

Merit Medical to Exhibit at Euro PCR in Paris, May 15-18, 2012

Lincoln Cannon — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:44:00 +0000

Merit Medical is looking forward to exhibiting its comprehensive line of cardiology products at EuroPCR, the official annual meeting of the European Association for Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions.

This year’s programs will include 460 sessions of lectures, presentations, and live cases on coronary interventions, interventions for structural heart disease, interventions for hypertension and heart failure, as well as interdisciplinary programs for nurses and technicians. Live cases will be transmitted from 15 leading medical centers around the world.

Visit Merit Medical at Booth M64 on level 2 of the Palais des Congrès to learn more about our featured products: the ASAP® Aspiration Catheter, the Blue Diamond™ Digital Inflation Device, the EN Snare® Endovascular Snare System, and the Scion Clo-Sur PLUS P.A.D.™

We are looking forward to introducing Euro PCR attendees to the innovative, high-quality, problem-solving devices and accessories we offer to enhance the practice of interventional cardiology.

We hope to see you in Paris!

Merit Medical’s Innovation Chronicle™ Delivers New Product News

Lincoln Cannon — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 14:56:00 +0000

Merit Medical is delivering a new marketing tool this spring — the Innovation Chronicle newspaper. The newspaper features interviews with inventors, physicians, and authors about several new Merit Medical products:

• the Ostial Pro® Stent Positioning System
• the CentrosFLO™ Chronic Dialysis Catheter
• the Clo-Sur PLUS P.A.D.™ Antimicrobial Hemostasis Pad
• the ASAP® Aspiration Catheter
• QuadraSphere® Microspheres
• the Merit Maestro® Microcatheter

The Innovation Chronicle is a unique way for readers to learn more about these innovations and the inventors who created them. The newspaper also includes interviews with physicians who have used some of these products in a clinical setting and a question and answer interview with the author of a recent study on the use of microspheres for embolization.

The Innovation Chronicle also has a lighter side—a crossword puzzle and cartoons. Merit Medical is looking forward to sharing its news with clinicians this spring!

Click here to read Merit Medical’s Innovation Chronicle.

Merit Medical Expands Embolic Line with Smaller-Sized QuadraSphere® Microspheres

Lincoln Cannon — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 09:23:00 +0000

Merit Medical Systems, Inc. announces the FDA 510(k) clearance of Biosphere Medical QuadraSphere® Microspheres in a new 30-60μm size. The new smaller size provides physicians the ability to achieve more distal occlusions when embolizing hypervascular tumors and arteriovenous malformations. When packaged in their dry state, the new microspheres measure 30-60μm, but when reconstituted for use, they expand to 120-240μm.

QuadraSphere® Microspheres are biocompatible, hydrophilic, non-resorbable, expandable, and conformable microspheres designed for controlled, targeted embolization. QuadraSphere® Microspheres 30-60μm, along with the three other available sizes of microspheres, further enable physicians to more precisely match the sphere size to the size of the targeted vasculature. We are delighted to bring this new smaller size to the market to enhance Merit’s broad array of Interventional Radiology implant options.

Sandra Anderson
Sr. Product Manager
Merit Medical Systems, Inc.

Merit Medical Recognized as a 2011 Universal Supporter of the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR)

Lincoln Cannon — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 10:06:00 +0000

Merit Medical has been recognized as a Universal Supporter for its “total commitment” to SIR. The Society of Interventional Radiology is a non-profit, national scientific organization of over 4,500 members that promotes education, research, and communication in the practice of cardiovascular and interventional radiology.

The Universal Supporter designation is awarded to an SIR-member company that has participated in three or more educational activities, supported the SIR Foundation, provided in-kind equipment support, and contributed educational or Foundation support in excess of $25,000.

Merit Medical will be among 12 companies honored with a special banner at this year’s SIR conference in San Francisco, March 24-29.

Defining Reliability and Accuracy with the EN Snare® Endovascular Snare System

Lincoln Cannon — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 09:23:00 +0000

Physicians understand that circumstances arise that require the use of an endovascular snare device. Some planned situations include the removal of an inferior vena cava (IVC) filter, dialysis catheter fibrin sheath stripping or stent placement. Some unplanned circumstances include the removal of a sheared catheter tip, a broken guide wire or a defective stent. Regardless of the circumstance, physicians reach for a reliable and accurate endovascular snare device that allows them to efficiently remove any foreign object from the vasculature.

Merit Medical is pleased to meet these clinical needs with the EN Snare® Endovascular Snare System. The EN Snare® is the only endovascular snare that incorporates three interlaced loops designed for a unified approach to the capture of foreign objects. Each loop is wrapped in a platinum band to provide visibility under fluoroscopy. The Nitinol core wire allows flexibility to promote vessel navigation.

The EN Snare® is available in seven configurations with snare loop sizes ranging from 2 mm to 45 mm to accommodate a broad range of vessels throughout the body. The sizes conveniently overlap which allow customers to order the snare sizes that best fit their clinical needs.

Interested in learning more about the EN Snare® Endovascular Snare System? Check out the new promotional video on the EN Snare® product web page or visit www.merit.com for more details.

Jesse Hansen
Senior Product Manager, Merit Medical

Merit Medical Systems, Inc. adds the Ostial Pro® Stent Positioning System, designed to help accurately place stents.

Lincoln Cannon — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 10:20:00 +0000

Merit Medical continues to invest in bringing value-rich tools to the hands of skilled physicians. The next product to be added to Merit’s cardiology portfolio is the Ostial Pro® Stent Positioning System, launching in Q1 2012. This device was recently acquired from Ostial Solutions, LLC.

The Ostial Pro® is a Nitinol device with gold-plated feet to ensure accurate placement of stents at the junction of arterial vessels with the aorta. It is estimated that between 2% and 15% of coronary stent placements are ostial¹. Missing distal or proximal to the target lesion can result in a number of complications and added costs. This device provides a simple and efficient means for accurate aorto-ostial stent placement and minimal residual stenosis in difficult-to-treat lesions.

Current studies show that the use of the Ostial Pro® is associated with decreased procedure times, radiation exposure, and a lower volume of radiographic contrast use, which reduces costs for both the hospital and the health care system².

Stay tuned for additional information on this innovative product.

1 Fischell, TA. Initial clinical experience using an ostial stent positioning system (Ostial Pro™) for the accurate placement of stents in the treatment of coronary aorto-ostial lesions. J Invasive Cardiol. 2009 Feb; 21(2):53-59.

2 Kwan, TW. What is the price for perfection for precise aorto-ostial placement? J Invasive Cardiol. 2011 Aug; 23(8): 327.

Merit Reaches Distribution Agreement for the Clo-SurPLUS P.A.D.™

Lincoln Cannon — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 16:16:00 +0000

Merit Medical Systems, Inc. has negotiated a long-term distribution agreement with Scion Cardio-Vascular to sell its Clo-SurPLUS P.A.D., a soft, non-woven topical pad that provides an optimal wound-healing environment with an effective antibacterial barrier. The pad is intended for the local management of bleeding wounds and to provide a barrier to bacterial penetration of the dressing. For Interventional Cardiologists and Radiologists with patients who are anti-coagulated or who have bleeding complications after interventional or diagnostic peripheral vascular procedures, the Clo-SurPLUS P.A.D. can effectively coagulate fully heparinized blood. The Clo-SurPLUS P.A.D. reduces hold time as well as time to ambulation.

The pad is versatile and can be placed around sites involving percutaneous catheters, tubes, and pins. The Clo-SurPLUS P.A.D. has demonstrated in-vitro antibacterial activity for up to 6 days. It is water soluble for easy and painless removal, which is more comfortable for the patient.

Mark Heninger

Sr. Product Manager

Merit Medical Systems, Inc.

High Quality Products and High Quality Videos

Lincoln Cannon — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:33:00 +0000

Merit Medical Systems, Inc. has partnered with an Emmy award-winning video production firm to produce a suite of high quality educational videos. These new videos and others can be viewed by visiting the Merit Medical corporate website www.merit.com. Go to the “Product” heading menu on the home page and from these select “Videos.” Sales representatives are using the videos as a sales tool, and clinicians are viewing the videos to learn more about the products.

If you want to learn more about our products, I invite you to watch these videos. These informative videos feature a variety of Merit Medical products:

Larry Tolman
Merit Medical Systems, Inc.

Celebrating 25 Years of Success

Lincoln Cannon — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:24:00 +0000

Merit Medical designed and introduced the first digital inflation syringe and monitor called the Intellisystem® back in 1989. This same device, with many improvements and upgrades is still on the market today. This year we launched the Blue Diamond™ digital inflation syringe, the most advanced inflation syringe in the world used to inflate angioplasty balloons and deploy vascular stents. In addition to the Intellisystem® and Blue Diamond™ brands, Merit Medical also sells the Monarch® digital inflation device launched in 1990. The BasixCOMPAK™ and the Big60™ represent Merit’s analog inflation syringe offering. Interventional cardiologists and radiologists have used more inflation devices from Merit Medical since 1989 than from any other supplier.

In 2012 Merit Medical Systems, Inc. will celebrate 25 years of being in business. Inflation devices represent only a few of the many products we offer. The accomplishments have been numerous and the growth of the company is impressive. From the founding in 1987, our sales have steadily grown and there has never been a year without at least one new product introduction (and usually many). It is exciting to be part of a progressive company that has contributed so much to the medical device industry. I am proud to be part of an organization that helps improve clinical outcomes in cardiology and radiology and also helps to improve the quality of life for the patients we ultimately serve.

Larry Tolman
Merit Medical Systems, Inc.

Merit Medical Participates in the 2012 International Symposium on Endovascular Therapy

Lincoln Cannon — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:05:00 +0000

Merit Medical is delighted to participate in the 2012 International Symposium on Endovascular Therapy (ISET) in Miami, Florida on January 15-18. Merit Medical will be demonstrating an extensive line of new Interventional products including the EN Snare® endovascular snare system, Laureate® hydrophilic guide wire, Biosphere® embolic family, Maestro® microcatheter, Impress® hydrophilic catheters, and our Prelude® sheath introducer line. Please visit booth #204 to experience a hands-on demonstration of the Laureate® hydrophilic guide wire, which proves to have true one-to-one torque and a long-lasting lubricious coating. Feel the difference while you navigate the Laureate® through the tortuous anatomy of our life-like vascular model at the Laureate Discovery work station.

Merit Medical Sponsors CIO Luncheon Symposium

Lincoln Cannon — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:00:00 +0000

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At the 2012 Congress of Interventional Oncology Merit Medical will sponsor a luncheon symposium, featuring Katarina Malagari, MD and Julien Namur, Ph.D. The symposium will focus on three informative topics: the rationale for smaller spheres in certain pathologies; results from preclinical in-vivo studies utilizing smaller microspheres; and review of recent cases utilizing smaller microspheres (Pending 510(k)). We look forward to an informative and interactive symposium and invite you to join us.

Merit Medical is delighted to participate in the 2012 Congress of Interventional Oncology, as 2012 will be a milestone year for Merit’s embolic portfolio. We anticipate launching line extensions of HepaSphere™ Microspheres and QuadraSphere® Microspheres that further address the needs of interventional radiologists worldwide. Merit Medical looks forward to serving the needs of interventional radiologists with our broad interventional radiology product portfolio that includes the Laureate® hydrophilic guide wire, the Maestro® microcatheter, Prelude sheath introducers and Embosphere® Microspheres.

Merit Medical sparks product interest at November’s AIM/VEITH Symposium

Lincoln Cannon — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 15:52:00 +0000

Merit Medical was proud to participate in the 19th annual AIM/VEITH symposium held November 16-19, 2011 at the Hilton Hotel New York City, which attracted over 2,500 attendees. The traffic surrounding Merit’s product displays and hands-on demo stations was significant and gave physicians an opportunity to feel the quality and outstanding performance that Merit Medical’s products possess. One of the most popular work stations at the symposium was the Laureate Discovery which challenged participants to demo the new Laureate hydrophilic guide wire and its true one-to-one torque. Physicians were able to see the performance value of this highly superior product in a realistic vascular model, almost exactly as it would perform in the human body. Within the vascular model, physicians could also see the reliability of the wire’s long-lasting hydrophilic coating. Merit Medical also showed the new Maestro® microcatheter, its cutting edge digital inflation device–the Blue Diamond™, the EN Snare® endovascular snare system, Impress® hydrophilic catheters, as well as its rich embolic product line including Embosphere® and QuadraSphere® microspheres.

New Corporate Website

Lincoln Cannon — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:19:00 +0000

To better serve you, Merit Medical has developed a new corporate website that will enhance your ability to access information about Merit Medical's business and its products.

1. Searchable catalog - Type key word searches for products and catalog items using the website Search field in the upper right corner of each page, or on the left side of the Products pages. Looking for a particular catalog number? Use the Search function.

2. Filterable catalog - On Products pages, you can filter catalog items according to criteria that interest you. For example, if you want a Performa® diagnostic cardiology catheter with only one side port, go to its page (enter the product name in the Search field), scroll down to the “Catalog” section at the bottom of the page, and set the “# Side Ports” filter to "1 Side Port." Instead of hundreds of catalog items, you’ll see only a few that match your selected criteria.

3. Lists of videos, brochures, and instructions for use - All of our product videos, brochures, and instructions for use are available in alphabetical lists. To access the lists, go to the “Products” dropdown menu at the top of the website, and select “Videos,” “Brochures,” or “Instructions for Use.” In addition to viewing these items, you can download them from the lists.

4. Information feeds - Now you can subscribe to news and events, blog posts, announcements of newly released product videos or brochures, and career opportunities. Subscriptions are available via email or your favorite feed reader (like Google Reader). All available information feeds are listed in the “About” section of the website on the “Information Feeds” page.

5. Easily shareable product pages - Products pages each have a “Share” link in the upper right corner. You can use the link to share the page with your colleagues via email or on a social network like Facebook or Twitter.

We’re also working on additional features that will be available in the coming weeks and months. For example, we plan to provide the ability to lookup c-codes for our products, and translate the website into Chinese, French, German, Russian, and Spanish. Please let us know, in the "Comments On This Post" below or through the Contact page on the new website, what else we can do to make our website better for you. Thanks!

Lincoln Cannon
Director, Sales and Marketing Technology
Merit Medical Systems, Inc.

Practical Training in Vascular Interventions

Lincoln Cannon — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:14:00 +0000

I recently attended the “Practical Training in Vascular Interventions” course presented by the University of Michigan Medical School at the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center. Dr. Kyung Cho did an amazing job instructing participants in approximately 100 procedures over the course of the week. Several of Merit Medical’s products were used throughout the course of the training, including the EN Snare® endovascular snare system. Participants practiced removing several foreign objects from the vasculature using the EN Snare endovascular snare system including IVC filters, embolization coils, and diagnostic catheter fragments.

Richard Collard
Senior Product Manager, Merit Medical

Thoracentesis and Paracentesis Sets (TAPS)

Lincoln Cannon — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:02:00 +0000

Merit Medical’s Thoracentesis and Paracentesis Sets (TAPS) were designed to incorporate the necessary components for centesis procedures to minimize set-up and procedure delays. Some of the components include the Valved One-Step™ centesis catheter, and for your safety, the Futura® safety scalpel and safety needles.

Richard Collard
Senior Product Manager, Merit Medical

Valved One-Step™ centesis catheter minimizes the chance of pneumothorax

Lincoln Cannon — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:51:00 +0000

The low profile Valved One-Step™ centesis catheter minimizes the chance of pneumothorax and fluid leakage. Once the needle is removed from the catheter, the valve in the catheter hub immediately self-closes to prevent air from entering the pleural space. In addition, the valve also prevents fluid leakage onto the patient table or floor.

Richard Collard
Senior Product Manager, Merit Medical