Merit Medical Launches the Prelude Wave Hydrophilic Sheath Introducer with SnapFix Technology
Merit Medical Systems (NASDAQ: MMSI) has launched the Prelude Wave™ Hydrophilic Sheath Introducer with SnapFix™ Securement Technology in the US market. This innovative medical device offers significant improvements over competing products, including twice the lubricity, twice the resistance to buckling and kinking, and 40% less insertion force.
The device addresses critical challenges in radial access procedures, where radial artery spasm occurs in up to 20% of patients and arterial occlusion affects approximately 4.6% of cases. The SnapFix technology provides twice the adhesive strength compared to leading competitors, with superior physician ratings for performance and ease of use.
Merit Medical Systems (NASDAQ: MMSI) ha lanciato sul mercato statunitense il Prelude Wave™ Hydrophilic Sheath Introducer con la tecnologia di fissaggio SnapFix™. Questo dispositivo medico innovativo offre miglioramenti significativi rispetto ai prodotti concorrenti, tra cui il doppio della lubrificazione, il doppio della resistenza a piegamenti e deformazioni e il 40% in meno di forza necessaria per l'inserimento.
Il dispositivo risponde a sfide critiche nelle procedure di accesso radiale, dove lo spasmo dell'arteria radiale si verifica in fino al 20% dei pazienti e l'occlusione arteriosa interessa circa il 4,6% dei casi. La tecnologia SnapFix garantisce il doppio della forza adesiva rispetto ai principali concorrenti, con valutazioni superiori da parte dei medici in termini di prestazioni e facilità d'uso.
Merit Medical Systems (NASDAQ: MMSI) ha lanzado en el mercado estadounidense el Prelude Wave™ Hydrophilic Sheath Introducer con la tecnología de fijación SnapFix™. Este innovador dispositivo médico ofrece mejoras significativas sobre productos competidores, incluyendo el doble de lubricidad, el doble de resistencia a doblarse y torcerse, y un 40% menos de fuerza de inserción.
El dispositivo aborda desafíos críticos en procedimientos de acceso radial, donde el espasmo de la arteria radial ocurre en hasta el 20% de los pacientes y la oclusión arterial afecta aproximadamente al 4.6% de los casos. La tecnología SnapFix proporciona el doble de fuerza adhesiva en comparación con los principales competidores, con calificaciones superiores por parte de los médicos en cuanto a rendimiento y facilidad de uso.
Merit Medical Systems (NASDAQ: MMSI)가 미국 시장에 Prelude Wave™ Hydrophilic Sheath Introducer와 SnapFix™ 고정 기술을 출시했습니다. 이 혁신적인 의료기기는 경쟁 제품에 비해 윤활성이 두 배, 구부러짐 및 꺾임에 대한 저항력이 두 배, 삽입 시 필요한 힘이 40% 감소하는 등 상당한 개선을 제공합니다.
이 기기는 요골 접근 절차에서 중요한 문제를 해결합니다. 요골 동맥 경련은 최대 20%의 환자에서 발생하며, 동맥 폐색은 약 4.6%의 경우에 영향을 미칩니다. SnapFix 기술은 주요 경쟁 제품에 비해 접착력이 두 배이며, 성능과 사용 편의성 면에서 의사들로부터 높은 평가를 받고 있습니다.
Merit Medical Systems (NASDAQ : MMSI) a lancé sur le marché américain le Prelude Wave™ Hydrophilic Sheath Introducer avec la technologie de fixation SnapFix™. Ce dispositif médical innovant offre des améliorations significatives par rapport aux produits concurrents, notamment le double de lubrification, deux fois plus de résistance au pliage et au cintrage, et une force d'insertion réduite de 40 %.
Le dispositif répond à des défis critiques lors des procédures d'accès radial, où le spasme de l'artère radiale survient chez jusqu'à 20 % des patients et l'occlusion artérielle touche environ 4,6 % des cas. La technologie SnapFix offre le double de force adhésive par rapport aux principaux concurrents, avec des évaluations supérieures des médecins en termes de performance et de facilité d'utilisation.
Merit Medical Systems (NASDAQ: MMSI) hat den Prelude Wave™ Hydrophilic Sheath Introducer mit SnapFix™ Sicherungstechnologie auf dem US-Markt eingeführt. Dieses innovative medizinische Gerät bietet erhebliche Verbesserungen gegenüber Konkurrenzprodukten, darunter doppelte Schmierfähigkeit, doppelte Widerstandsfähigkeit gegen Knicken und Kantenbildung sowie 40 % weniger Einführkraft.
Das Gerät adressiert kritische Herausforderungen bei radialen Zugangsverfahren, bei denen Radialarterienspasmen bei bis zu 20 % der Patienten auftreten und arterielle Verschlüsse etwa 4,6 % der Fälle betreffen. Die SnapFix-Technologie bietet doppelte Haftkraft im Vergleich zu führenden Wettbewerbern und erhält von Ärzten überlegene Bewertungen hinsichtlich Leistung und Benutzerfreundlichkeit.
- Product demonstrates twice the lubricity and resistance to buckling compared to competitors
- SnapFix technology offers twice the adhesive strength of competing products
- Device requires 40% less insertion force than leading competitor
- Addresses a significant market need with radial artery spasm affecting up to 20% of patients
- Expands Merit's comprehensive Access portfolio with innovative technology
- Product success depends on physician adoption and preference changes
- Faces competition in an established market with existing solutions
- Subject to regulatory risks and potential complications in medical procedures
Insights
Merit's new Prelude Wave sheath with SnapFix technology offers significant clinical advantages for radial procedures with strong differentiation from competitors.
Merit Medical has strategically expanded its vascular access portfolio with the Prelude Wave Hydrophilic Sheath Introducer with SnapFix Technology, addressing specific challenges in radial access procedures. This launch aligns with the industry's shift toward radial-first approaches in interventional cardiology.
The clinical significance is substantial—radial artery spasm affects up to
The competitive advantages are quantifiable and impressive. Compared to market leaders, the Prelude Wave demonstrates twice the lubricity, twice the resistance to buckling and kinking, and requires
This product complements Merit's recent acquisition of StatSeal, a hemostatic sealant, demonstrating a cohesive strategy to build a comprehensive radial access ecosystem. With approximately 7,300 employees and an 800-person sales and clinical support team, Merit has the infrastructure to drive adoption of this innovation.
The endorsement from Dr. Morton Kern, a recognized interventional cardiologist, adds credibility to the product's clinical benefits and potential market reception. This launch represents a meaningful advance in Merit's vascular access portfolio with features that directly address documented clinical challenges in a growing procedural segment.
Thin-wall design with superior insertion and unique sheath-securement solution to support successful radial access procedures and may aid in reducing arterial spasm and occlusion
SOUTH JORDAN, Utah, Aug. 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Merit Medical Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: MMSI), a global leader of healthcare technology, today announced the US commercial release of the Prelude Wave™ Hydrophilic Sheath Introducer with SnapFix™ Securement Technology.
The Prelude Wave is the latest innovation in Merit’s comprehensive Access portfolio, which includes a wide range of dilators, micro-access systems, sheath introducers, and guide sheaths. A low-profile, hydrophilic sheath with best-in-class insertion and sheath retention, the Prelude Wave with SnapFix technology is designed with features which may aid in the reduction of arterial spasm and occlusion as physicians perform radial access procedures.
Radial access offers many well-documented benefits compared to the femoral approach,1 but there remain opportunities to improve patient outcomes, as radial artery spasm (narrowing) and occlusion (blockage) can still occur.
Radial artery spasm is reported in up to
In addition, securement devices utilized to stabilize hydrophilic sheaths during procedures have been linked to reported issues in
To meet these clinical needs, Merit innovated the Prelude Wave, a next-generation sheath with a unique securement feature. Compared to the leading competitor, the Prelude Wave offers twice the lubricity, twice the resistance to buckling and kinking, and requires
Learn more about the Prelude Wave with SnapFix Technology.
“Prelude Wave addresses challenges interventionalists see when performing radial procedures,” said Morton Kern, MD, MSCAI, FACC, FAHA, Interventional Cardiologist at Veterans Administration Long Beach Health Care System in Long Beach, CA, and a consultant of Merit. “A sheath and securement solution that may help minimize these risks, while also offering strong radial access performance, provides physicians with a meaningful product option that creates a better treatment experience for patients.”
To further support a radial-first approach, Merit has tailored its portfolio with solutions that complement existing products, designed to address physicians’ toughest clinical challenges. A recent example of this was Merit’s acquisition of StatSeal®, a patented hemostatic sealant used to protect access sites, as seen in radial procedures.
“Whether by design or acquisition, we always strive to advance innovation in our Access portfolio, providing our healthcare partners with solutions that support data-driven approaches to treatment,” said Fred P. Lampropoulos, Merit’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “The Prelude Wave with SnapFix Technology is a superior product built to champion radial procedures, manufactured with features designed to aid in minimizing common vascular access challenges. We’re proud to continue offering radial technology advancements for physicians and their patients.”
ABOUT MERIT MEDICAL Founded in 1987, Merit Medical Systems, Inc. is engaged in the development, manufacture, and distribution of proprietary medical devices used in interventional, diagnostic, and therapeutic procedures, particularly in cardiology, radiology, oncology, critical care, and endoscopy. Merit serves client hospitals worldwide with a domestic and international sales force and clinical support team totaling more than 800 individuals. Merit employs approximately 7,300 people worldwide.
TRADEMARKS Unless noted otherwise, trademarks and registered trademarks used in this release are the property of Merit Medical Systems, Inc., its subsidiaries, or its licensors.
Any forward-looking statements set forth in this release are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Merit's filings with the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). For a further discussion of the risks and uncertainties which may affect Merit’s business, operations and financial condition, see Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in Merit’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the SEC, Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in Merit’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2025 filed with the SEC and Merit’s other filings with the SEC. Actual results will likely differ, and may differ materially, from anticipated results.
CONTACTS
PR/Media Inquiries
Sarah Comstock
Merit Medical
+1-801-432-2864 | sarah.comstock@merit.com
INVESTOR INQUIRIES
Mike Piccinino, CFA, IRC
Westwicke - ICR
+1-443-213-0509 | mike.piccinino@westwicke.com
References
- Rathore et al. 2010. “Impact of Length and Hydrophilic Coating of the Introducer Sheath on Radial Artery Spasm during Transradial Coronary Intervention.” JACC Cardiovasc Interv 3, no. 5 (May): 475 ̶ 83. doi: 10.1016/j.jcin.2010.03.009.
- Randall and Boudoulas. “Reducing Radial Spasm.” Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (2024 Sep 19).
- Pitta, Sharma, and Boudoulas. “Newer Emerging Strategies to Reduce Radial Artery Occlusion: Post-Transradial Catheterization.” Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (2025 Jun 19).
- Zus et al. 2024. “Radial Artery Spasm—A Review on Incidence, Prevention and Treatment.” Diagnostics (Basal) 14, no 17 (Aug 29): 1897. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics14171897.
- Tsigkas et al. 2023. “Preventing and Managing Radial Artery Occlusion Following Transradial Procedures: Strategies and Considerations.” J Cardiovasc. Dev Dis. 10, no. 7 (Jun 30): 283. doi: 10.3390/jcdd10070283.
- Mason et al. 2018. “An Update on Radial Artery Access and Best Practices for Transradial Coronary Angiography and Intervention in Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Scientific Statement from the American Heart Association.” Cir Cardiovasc Interv 11, no. 9 (Sept): e000035. doi: 10.1161/HCV.0000000000000035.
- Kern et al. 2020. “Securing the Radial Sheath: An Update on a Pesky but Persistent Little Problem.” Cath Lab Digest (Nov).
- Data on File.
FAQ
What is the Prelude Wave Hydrophilic Sheath Introducer and what makes it unique?
How does Merit Medical's Prelude Wave address radial access procedure challenges?
What are the key advantages of the SnapFix Technology in MMSI's new device?
How does the Prelude Wave fit into Merit Medical's product portfolio?
What clinical problems does Merit Medical's new Prelude Wave solve?
