Stryker Announces Acquisition of Amplitude Vascular Systems to Expand Peripheral Vascular Portfolio with Next-Gen IVL Technology

#01

Stryker Officially Announces Acquisition

Complement IVL Technology

On April 13, Stryker officially announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Amplitude Vascular Systems, Inc. (AVS), a private medical technology company focused on the development of a next-generation intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) platform designed for the treatment of calcified peripheral artery disease.

AVS Focuses on the Treatment of Calcified Peripheral Artery Disease, Specializing in the Development of a New Generation Intravascular Lithotripsy Platform. This acquisition will introduce a novel revascularization technology to Stryker's Peripheral Vascular (PV) product line. Once the relevant products are approved and launched in target markets, they will complement Stryker’s existing peripheral vascular offerings, further supporting the company’s strategic plan to expand its market share in the arterial disease treatment sector.

In terms of technical features, AVS's IVL platform utilizes pressure waves generated by pulsed CO₂ through a balloon catheter to evenly fragment vascular calcium, achieving better lumen gain effects. At the same time, it realizes targeted improvements in catheter deliverability, treatment speed, and treatment efficiency.

Stryker Chairman and CEO Kevin Lobo said, "This acquisition marks an important step in our efforts to build a comprehensive peripheral vascular treatment platform and address significant unmet clinical needs. By combining this innovative technology with Stryker's scale and clinical expertise, we believe we can offer more treatment options to clinicians and improve the diagnosis and treatment of patients with calcified peripheral artery disease."

In the peripheral vascular field, Stryker successfully entered the venous thromboembolism (VTE) market by acquiring Inari Medical in February of last year, supplementing its mechanical thrombectomy technology. Following the acquisition of AVS, Stryker has now established a comprehensive peripheral vascular treatment product portfolio covering "venous thrombosis + arterial calcification."

#02

Giants Crowd into IVL

Peripheral Vascular Market Heats Up

Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL), as an innovative treatment technology for vascular calcification lesions, has gained widespread attention and rapid development globally in recent years.

IVL is a rapidly developing technology in the field of cardiovascular interventional treatment, used for treating calcified peripheral vascular and coronary artery lesions. With physicians adopting IVL-based calcium modulation protocols in complex procedures, this technology is expected to achieve strong growth.

According to iData Research, the IVL (intra-vascular lithotripsy) market was valued at $193 million (1.394 billion RMB) in 2023, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.3%.

In this field, Shockwave, which Johnson & Johnson acquired for a significant amount in 2024, holds a leading global position.

Shockwave, as the pioneer of IVL technology, is the world's first company to provide Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL) for coronary arteries. It also offers the first and only commercialized Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL) platform for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) and Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD).

It is reported that the inspiration for Shockwave intravascular lithotripsy technology comes from extracorporeal shock wave therapy for kidney stones. The technology delivers pulsed sound pressure waves precisely to calcified areas via a balloon catheter, selectively cracking calcified plaques to restore vascular elasticity and blood flow. While reshaping diseased vessels, it avoids damaging the vascular endothelium.

With the rapid expansion of the IVL market, global device giants have started to enter the field. In addition to Johnson & Johnson, Boston Scientific acquired Bolt Medical in 2025, and Abbott acquired Cardiovascular Systems in 2023, both targeting IVL.

Back to the domestic market, the IVL field also has broad prospects. According to data predictions from Jiayu Testing Network, China’s potential IVL market for coronary artery disease will increase from 224.9 million yuan in 2023 to 918.4 million yuan in 2025, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 102.1%, indicating significant market development potential.

In June 2022, the team led by Academician Ge Junbo from Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, successfully completed the first Shockwave IVL (Intravascular Lithotripsy) procedure for severe coronary artery calcification in China. This surgery, conducted after the approval and market launch of the Shockwave IVL product by the NMPA in May 2022, marks a new phase in interventional treatment for coronary artery calcification.

Chinese companies are also rushing to enter this market, and the localization of IVL in China is accelerating. According to incomplete statistics, the participating companies include NorthX Life, Peijia Medical, Genius Medical, Blue Sail Boyuan, Zhonghui Medical, MicroPort, Saihe Medical, Lepu Medical, and Puchuang Medical, etc.

Although domestic companies in China are making rapid progress in research or registration, the barriers for IVL remain high. Chinese companies must bypass the tight patent protection networks of major players to achieve differentiated competitive advantages if they want to secure a position amidst the crowded competition.

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