Merit Medical Systems Inc. on Tuesday announced it has received FDA approval to market a new monitoring system, which company officials say may have long-reaching implications for improving patient care.
The South Jordan-based company specializes in the development of disposable medical products, particularly in cardiology and radiology.Merit's newest device, called the Intellisystem II, is an extension of the company's existing technology, said Nancy Shultz, director of corporate communications. However, Shultz said, the Intellisystem II will let clinicians monitor angioplasty balloon inflation pressures and other procedures using a more powerful, Pentium processor-driven, full-color monitor.
More than 2 million procedures are performed each year in which the device may be useful, Shultz said.
Merit chairman and president Fred Lampropoulos said the new system will likely replace existing technologies, but it also is expected to generate new business.
"An instrument with this accuracy has never been available to the market," Lampropoulos said in a prepared statement. "We are excited about the immediate opportunities provided, and we are intrigued about the long-term prospects of the data and how it might be used by physicians to determine patient outcomes."
Shultz said the system likely will be introduced to the market later next month.
"This device has enormous potential for wide clinical application in hospitals, catheter labs and radiology labs around the country," Shultz said.
Merit Medical Systems employs 1,150 people worldwide, with manufacturing plants in Utah, California, Texas and Ireland.