Medtronic has received Breakthrough Device Designation from the FDA for a novel implantable left ventricular assist device (LVAD) for patients with advanced heart failure. A press release reports that, rather than the current LVAD systems that require a driveline cable that extends outside the body to a controller, the future system is designed to be fully implanted inside the body.

The press release does not go into further detail about the novel LVAD other than to specify that it is in early-stage research and development and is not available for sale anywhere in the world.

However, as with all Medtronic press releases, it notes that “in collaboration with leading clinicians, researchers and scientists worldwide, Medtronic offers the broadest range of innovative medical technology for the interventional and surgical treatment of cardiovascular disease and cardiac arrhythmias”. The press release adds that the company “strives to offer products and services of the highest quality that deliver clinical and economic value to healthcare consumers and providers around the world”.