nContact Surgical

nContact Surgical, founded in 2005 by Sidney Fleischman and Jim Whayne, specialized in developing medical devices for less invasive cardiac ablation procedures to treat atrial fibrillation (AFib). Initially named nContact Surgical, the company rebranded to nContact Inc. in 2011 to reflect its focus on less invasive, endoscopic approaches. The firm operated out of Morrisville, North Carolina, and focused on the market of patients with heart rhythm disorders, particularly those with enlarged atria who lacked reliable treatment alternatives.

The company's business revolved around the design, manufacturing, and sale of its cardiac ablation technology to healthcare facilities. A key part of its strategy involved fostering collaboration between cardiac surgeons and electrophysiologists. nContact's technology facilitates a multidisciplinary therapy known as the Convergent procedure, where a surgeon performs a closed-chest epicardial ablation, which is then complemented by an electrophysiologist's endocardial catheter ablation. This approach aimed to provide a more comprehensive treatment for persistent AFib. Throughout its history, nContact raised significant capital, securing a total of $67.7 million over eight funding rounds from investors including Harbert Venture Partners, ZMV Associates, and Hercules Capital.

nContact's flagship product was the EPi-Sense Guided Coagulation System with VisiTrax. This system was designed for the coagulation of cardiac tissue using radiofrequency (RF) energy. Its unique features included the integration of suction to ensure stable contact with the beating heart, perfusion, and RF energy delivery. The EPi-Sense device also incorporated embedded sensors to provide real-time electrical feedback, allowing physicians to map the heart and verify the completeness of lesions during the procedure. This technology received CE Mark approval in Europe for treating atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter and was cleared by the FDA in the U.S. for endoscopic coagulation of cardiac tissue. A significant milestone was the initiation of the CONVERGE IDE clinical trial, a head-to-head study evaluating the Convergent Procedure against catheter ablation for persistent AFib. In October 2015, nContact was acquired by AtriCure, Inc. for approximately $99 million in a cash-and-stock deal, with potential for an additional $50 million in milestone payments. The acquisition was a strategic move for AtriCure to expand its presence and product offerings in the AFib market. Keywords: cardiac ablation, atrial fibrillation treatment, nContact Surgical, EPi-Sense, Convergent procedure, epicardial ablation, minimally invasive surgery, medical devices, electrophysiology, VisiTrax, AtriCure, heart rhythm disorders, radiofrequency ablation, cardiac tissue coagulation, surgical devices, arrhythmia treatment, Numeris Coagulation System, endoscopic ablation, cardiac surgery technology, medical device innovation