J&J’s Biosense Webster begins trial for Laminar left atrial appendage elimination device

Johnson & Johnson’s Biosense Webster today announced the start of patient cases with the investigational Laminar LAAX system.

In November 2023, Johnson & Johnson MedTech completed a $400 million acquisition of Laminar, With that buy, the company brought in Laminar’s left atrial appendage elimination (LAAX) technology. Unlike other LAA technologies, which exclude or occlude the LAA, Laminar’s aims to completely eliminate it to treat AFib. Rather than use catheter-based devices to plug and occlude the LAA, Laminar’s approach utilizes rotational motion.

Irvine, California-based Biosense Webster commenced the patient cases as part of a pivotal FDA investigational device exemption (IDE) study. Dr. Saibal Kar (Los Robles Health System) and Dr. Devi Nair (St. Bernard’s Heart & Vascular Center) performed the procedures. Biosense Webster said they mark a “significant milestone” on the road to non-valvular AFib (NVAF) treatment.<…

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Johnson & Johnson MedTech enters LAA device space with acquisition of Laminar

Johnson & Johnson MedTech announced today that it completed the acquisition of left atrial appendage (LAA) device maker Laminar.

The deal, which includes a $400 million upfront payment, adds Johnson & Johnson MedTech to the crowded LAA device space. Established devices like Abbott’s Amplatzer Amulet and Boston Scientific’s Watchman already exist within the market. Medtronic threw its hat in the ring with the launch of its Penditure LAA exclusion system this week.

However, unlike these technologies, which exclude or occlude the LAA, Laminar’s aims to completely eliminate it to treat AFib. Rather than use catheter-based devices to plug and occlude the LAA, Laminar’s approach utilizes rotational motion. The company recently received FDA approval to begin a U.S. pivotal study, earmarked to start enrollment in early 2024.

“For the millions of people living with AFib, stroke risk is a major concern. The team at Laminar is driven…

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