Shockwave’s Javelin Peripheral IVL Catheter Launched in United States

March 4, 2025—Shockwave Medical, Inc., part of Johnson & Johnson MedTech, announced the United States launch of the Javelin peripheral intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) catheter for the treatment of peripheral artery disease (PAD).

According to the company, the forward IVL platform is designed to modify calcium and cross calcified occlusive disease or extremely narrowed lesions where a wire will cross but devices might not.

Shockwave stated that the Javelin has a working length of 150 cm and features a single distal emitter that creates up to 120 shockwave pulses. Each shockwave pulse creates a spherical energy field that extends beyond the tip of the catheter, noted the company.

The company reported that despite the challenging nature of the calcified lesions studied in the FORWARD PAD IDE investigational device exemption trial, clinical outcomes demonstrated that Shockwave Javelin has a similar safety and effectiveness profile to balloon-based Shockwave IVL catheters. The company noted that the Javelin delivers lithotripsy closer to calcium than a balloon-based platform.

“Physicians have faced significant challenges in tackling complex calcific lesions in narrowed peripheral vessels, and there is a growing need for more effective crossing and treatment tools,” commented JD Corl, MD, in the company’s press release. “With proven safety and effectiveness similar to existing IVL devices, Shockwave’s new IVL platform will bring a transformative approach to our peripheral practices, enabling us to make cases more efficient and optimize outcomes for our patients living with PAD, especially those with more complex chronic limb-threatening ischemia.”

Dr. Corl is Medical Director of the PAD/Critical Limb Ischemia Program at The Lindner Center for Research and Education at The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio.