Johnson & Johnson MedTech‘s Shockwave Medical announced today that it launched its Javelin peripheral IVL catheter in Europe.
The novel, non-balloon catheter comprises part of the company’s first-of-its-kind forward intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) platform. It features a similar safety and effectiveness profile to legacy Shockwave IVL catheters. The system aims to modify calcium and cross extremely narrowed vessels in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD).
Santa Clara, California-based Shockwave designed Javelin with a single 120-pulse lithotripsy emitter at the distal tip of the catheter. The company developed it for use in sub-total occlusions or extremely narrowed vessels. These are vessels in which a wire can cross but devices can not. With this new platform, the sonic pressure waves expand spherically from the forward-shifted emitter beyond the tip of the catheter. It allows modification of the obstructive calcification that facilitates device crossing.
J&J MedTech Worldwide Chairman Tim Schmid will discuss the latest innovations at J&J MedTech and what’s next in a keynote event to open DeviceTalks West, Oct. 15–16, 2025, in Santa Clara, California. Register now at West.DeviceTalks.com.
Javelin has a working length of 150 cm. Each shockwave pulse creates a spherical energy field that extends beyond the tip of the catheter. The novel design delivers lithotripsy closer to calcium than the balloon-based platform.
Shockwave launched Javelin in the U.S. earlier this year. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Nick West recently spoke to Medical Design & Outsourcing about the latest developments at the company.
To hear Dr. West speak at DeviceTalks West Oct. 15–16, 2025 in Santa Clara, California, register now at West.DeviceTalks.com.
“Shockwave is at the forefront of IVL technology, and we continue to address unmet physician needs,” said West. “We developed our first-of-its-kind forward IVL platform through conversations with physicians, leveraging their valuable insights to develop a platform with the capability to modify calcium and cross extremely narrowed vessels. We are proud to set the standard in generating an expansive portfolio for endovascular interventionalists to address their unmet needs and move the goalposts of what’s expected from IVL technology in the reduction of risks associated with [chronic limb-threatening ischemia].”
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