Vascular Solutions

Vascular Solutions, Inc. was a medical device company established in 1997 by Howard Root and Dr. Gary Gershony, who invented the company's inaugural product, the Duett arterial puncture sealing device. Based in Minneapolis, the company focused on developing and marketing clinical solutions for minimally invasive coronary and peripheral vascular procedures. Its business model centered on creating niche products that often faced little competition from larger industry players. The product portfolio grew to include over 90 proprietary items sold to interventional cardiologists, radiologists, electrophysiologists, and vein specialists through a direct U.S. sales force and an international distributor network.

Howard Root, a lawyer by training, served as the company's CEO for its entire 20-year history, guiding it from a startup to a business with over 550 employees. The company went public in 2000 and consistently generated double-digit annual revenue growth. A significant event in the company's history was a five-year legal battle with the U.S. Department of Justice over allegations of off-label promotion, which concluded in February 2016 with the acquittal of the company and Root.

In December 2016, Teleflex Incorporated announced its definitive agreement to acquire Vascular Solutions for approximately $1.0 billion. The acquisition was completed in the first half of 2017, and Vascular Solutions became a part of Teleflex. The deal was intended to expand Teleflex's entry into the coronary and peripheral vascular markets and leverage its global distribution network to enhance the reach of Vascular Solutions' products. Following the acquisition, the Vascular Solutions brand and operations were integrated into Teleflex's broader portfolio of vascular access and interventional products.

Keywords: vascular access devices, interventional cardiology, coronary procedures, peripheral vascular, catheter-based technology, hemostasis devices, minimally invasive surgery, arterial puncture closure, interventional radiology, electrophysiology, vein specialists, medical device manufacturing, cardiovascular therapies, sheaths, guide catheters