Covidien launches OneShot Renal Denervation System

Covidien has announced the launch of a new over-the-wire balloon-based irrigated catheter device for use in the treatment of high blood pressure, or hypertension.

The OneShot Renal Denervation System is designed for percutaneous placement and delivers radiofrequency energy to the renal arterial wall in a circumferential manner, requiring only a single treatment per artery.

Having received CE Mark approval in February 2012, the device will be rolled out in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America over the coming months.

It will offer a potentially promising new therapy avenue for sufferers of hypertension, the world's most common cardiovascular disease, which affects around one billion people and significantly increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, heart failure and kidney disease.

Stacy Enxing Seng, president of vascular therapies at Covidien, said: "The entry into this market broadens our innovation focus and enables Covidien to positively impact the lives of millions of patients worldwide who are resistant to medical management of hypertension."

Last week, it was announced that the firm has launched a new study called Swift Prime, which will examine the adjunctive use of mechanical thrombectomy during the early stages of acute ischemic stroke onset.