FlowCardia

FlowCardia, Inc. operated as a medical device company, established in 2002 and based in Sunnyvale, California. The company focused on developing and manufacturing endovascular devices designed to treat chronic total occlusions (CTOs), which are complete blockages of coronary and peripheral arteries. Its target clients were interventional cardiologists, vascular surgeons, and interventional radiologists who perform procedures to restore blood flow in patients with blocked arteries, often in the legs. The business model centered on the sale of its specialized catheter systems and related products to healthcare facilities.

FlowCardia's flagship product was the CROSSER® CTO Recanalization Catheter System. This minimally-invasive device utilized high-frequency, mechanical vibrations to create a path through hard-to-penetrate arterial blockages, enabling physicians to then use other treatments like balloon angioplasty or stenting. The product portfolio included several models of the CROSSER Catheter, such as the 14P, 14S, and 18, tailored for different vessel sizes and locations. The company also developed complementary products like the FlowMate™ Injector, which simplified the procedure by integrating system controls into a single foot pedal for the physician.

A significant milestone for the company was receiving FDA 510(k) clearance for its peripheral CROSSER catheters, enabling their launch in the U.S. market. Throughout its history, FlowCardia raised over $42 million in venture capital funding from investors including Gilde Healthcare Partners, Frazier Healthcare Ventures, and JPMorgan Partners. In May 2010, the company was acquired by C. R. Bard, Inc. (now part of Becton, Dickinson and Company) for approximately $80 million, marking its successful exit.

Keywords: medical devices, endovascular devices, chronic total occlusion, CTO recanalization, interventional cardiology, peripheral arterial disease, CROSSER Catheter, catheter-based technology, vascular surgery, arterial blockage treatment, guidewire crossing, medical technology, high-frequency vibration catheter, minimally-invasive surgery, C. R. Bard acquisition, endovascular tools, surgical instruments, coronary artery disease, vascular intervention, medical device manufacturing