Medtronic Receives FDA Approval for Wireless Heart Devices May 17, 2006

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Medical device maker Medtronic Inc. said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved two types of implantable heart devices that can be programmed and checked using wireless technology that can also be used to alert a doctor if a serious condition occurs.

The agency approved the Concerto and Virtuoso lines of implantable heart devices. Both devices deliver a shock to the heart to correct an abnormal rhythm when detected. However, the Concerto devices can also send small electrical impulses to resynchronize the beating of the heart's lower chambers to help pump blood more efficiently.

The devices are the first to use Medtronic's Conexus wireless technology that allows a doctor to program the device's therapy and check on its condition without using probes or sensors. Conexus also sends signals to a patient's home monitoring system, called the CareAlert, which notifies the doctor of any problems with the device or the patient.

Medtronic will launch the devices in June 2006.

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