Medtronic launches new Protecta defibrillator range

Medtronic has launched a new range of defibrillator products which are designed to minimise the risk of inappropriate shocks.

The Protecta range is composed of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators and cardiac resynchronisation therapy-defibrillators, using Medtronic’s SmartShock technology to improve safety via a series of shock-reduction algorithms.

Medtronic states that this comes in response to research suggesting that 20 per cent of patients with implantable defibrillators are affected by inappropriate shocks within three years of having the device fitted.

By contrast, the firm’s Virtual ICD study suggested that 92 per cent of patients using Protecta defibrillators will not be affected by the problem for up to five years post-implant.

Dr Alain Coudray, vice-president of Medtronic’s cardiac rhythm disease management business in Europe, said: “Protecta devices with SmartShock Technology are sparing patients unnecessary worry and have the potential to reduce the burden on the healthcare system.”

Last week, Medtronic launched the iPro2 Professional continuous glucose monitoring system, which allows diabetes patients and clinicians to easily measure blood glucose levels.