St Jude and Heartport receive investigational device exemption (IDE) for heart valve trial
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
St Jude Medical and Heartport have received an IDE for trials of their minimally invasive heart valve repair and replacement system. The two US companies have been collaborating on the technique, which allows heart surgery to be performed through incisions between the ribs, for about 18 months and announced the joint development agreement in September 1995 (see Clinica No 672, p 1). The technique is expected to reduce hospital stay and recovery time for heart-surgery patients.