Medtronic Launches HawkOne Directional Atherectomy System

April 9, 2015—Medtronic plc announced the launch of the HawkOne directional atherectomy system in the United States for the treatment of all plaque morphologies in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), including patients who have plaque blockages that have become severely calcified. Medtronic’s directional atherectomy portfolio also includes the TurboHawk and SilverHawk systems.

According to the company, the HawkOne system is designed for improved lesion engagement and enables interventionists to treat severe calcium more efficiently. Medtronic noted that in benchtop testing, the system was able to treat calcified lesions up to two times more effectively than the TurboHawk device. 

Medtronic also describes HawkOne as being designed to streamline procedural efficiency, with improved crossing and cleaning capabilities, and its lower crossing profile improves sheath deliverability and allows challenging lesions to be crossed more predictably. The HawkOne system has a preloaded cleaning tool that improves cleaning time by up to 55% when compared to the TurboHawk high-efficiency cutter.
 
Mark Fugate, MD, who performed the first case in the United States with the HawkOne system, commented in the company’s press release, “I use directional atherectomy in my practice because of its ability to achieve luminal gain and restore patency. The HawkOne system’s improved crossability and efficient calcium cutting will further enable our ability to effectively and efficiently treat practically any patient with PAD.” Dr. Fugate is affiliated with University Surgical Associates in Chattanooga, Tennessee.