AGA Medical heart defect repair tool:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
AGA Medical claims it has become the first firm to gain Japanese approval for a transcatheter occlusion device for repairing an atrial septal defect (ASD), an opening in the heart's septum. The Amplatzer septal occluder consists of a minimally invasive, catheter-based device that is delivered via a vessel to the heart, where it serves to clamp shut the septum opening. Already marketed in over 90 countries worldwide, including the US, the product provides an alternative to open heart surgery. The Minneapolis, Minnesota firm is one of several companies making transcatheter occlusion devices.