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In the past year, China's core medical device track — the cardiovascular device field — has entered a golden period of high-quality development, driven by technological innovation and underpinned by clinical value.

Since its establishment over a decade ago, Instrumentation Family has consistently focused on the fertile ground of China's implantable and interventional device field, experiencing and documenting every milestone moment in this domain. Based on thousands of industry updates released in 2025, we concentrate on three core dimensions: "technological innovation breakthrough," "clinical application compatibility," and "industry ecosystem influence." Combining authoritative expert reviews with industry reader feedback through multiple rounds of selection, we ultimately identified the ten most benchmark cardiovascular innovation products of the year. Honored to present the "Instrumentation Family: Top Ten Cardiovascular Innovations of 2026" list.

*The above list is not ranked in any particular order.

01

The World's First

Medtronic: Aurora EV-ICD

Reasons for Selection

Aurora EV-ICD isThe world's first extravascular ICD product capable of providing complete defibrillation, cardioversion, and antitachycardia pacing therapy for patients with sudden cardiac death (SCD).

Product Introduction

Aurora EV-ICD™ combines the advantages of existing transvenous and subcutaneous ICD systems, eliminating the need for electrode implantation in the heart and blood vessels. It delivers complete defibrillation, cardioversion, and anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP) therapy functions. The device is compact, with an estimated lifespan of up to 11.7 years, reducing the frequency and financial burden of future device replacements for patients. Additionally, the device is compatible with 1.5T and 3.0T full-body MRI scans, offering a more aesthetically pleasing and comfortable postoperative experience without affecting daily life. This represents another technological breakthrough in the treatment of ventricular arrhythmias and prevention of sudden cardiac death.

02

Break the Domestic Blank

Core Medical: CorVad®

Reason for Selection

CorVad® is not only the first domestically produced interventional artificial heart product approved for marketing in China, but also makes Core Medical the only company in the world to simultaneously possess regulatory approval for both implantable and interventional artificial heart products, giving it a significant first-mover advantage.

Product Introduction

CorVad® Series Utilizes Internationally Innovative "Axial Magnetic Flux Multi-Drive Motor Technology" within Blood Vessels, Combined with High-Reliability Bearing Design, Achieving Excellent Long-Term Operational Reliability and Hemocompatibility, Fully Meeting Clinical Needs of Patients. Meanwhile, Compared to International Similar Products, CorVad® Series Can Achieve Higher Pump Flow at the Same or Smaller Pump Diameter, Allowing Adaptation for Patients with Different Levels of Disease Severity (Especially for Critically Ill Patients with Severely Reduced Cardiac Output), and Better Fits Minimally Invasive Surgical Requirements, Reducing the Risk of Vascular Complications Related to Access.

03

China's First Transcatheter Aortic Valve System

Jiecheng Medical: J-VALVE TF

Reasons for Selection

J-VALVE TF Transcatheter Aortic Valve System is the first transcatheter valve for treating aortic regurgitation (AR) approved by NMPA in China via a vascular approach. It also represents the second-generation breakthrough by Jiecheng Medical, a subsidiary of Gensight, following their first-generation transapical product launched in 2017.

Product Introduction

J-VALVE TF Holds Over 200 International Patents, with Its Core Innovation Being the World’s First "Movable Positioning Component" – This Design Forms an "Autonomous Navigation and Positioning System," Enabling Automatic Sinus Entry Positioning, Bidirectional Anchoring, and Precise Deployment Without Over-Reliance on Imaging Technology, Addressing Complex Anatomical Implant Challenges at the Root. More Notably, This Product Has Received the U.S. FDA’s "Breakthrough Device Designation" and Its Overseas Rights Have Been Acquired by Edwards Lifesciences, a Global Leader in Heart Valve Technologies, Marking the First Truly Meaningful Case of "Technology Export" in China's Medical Device Sector.

04

Innovative Products

Boston Scientific: WATCHMAN FLX Pro

Reasons for Selection

The latest generation of WATCHMAN FLX Pro has been improved in terms of safety, effectiveness, and ease of use.

Product Introduction

As the latest upgrade of the WATCHMAN occluder series, FLX Pro achieves three major technological breakthroughs: the unique HEMOCOAT coating, which significantly accelerates the endothelialization process of the device, promotes rapid coverage by the body's own tissue, allowing patients to discontinue anticoagulants earlier; three newly added radiopaque markers provide "3D navigation" for precise positioning during surgery, enhancing the accuracy of deployment and surgical safety; and the new 40mm large size specification broadens the range of surgical indications, offering more patients with complex left atrial appendage structures an opportunity for treatment.

05

China's Intervention Solution Goes Global

Palm Medical: PADN

Reasons for Selection

In May 2025, the PADN catheter independently developed by Pulnovo Medical has successfully obtained the EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR) certification, becoming the first innovative product in the III category cardiovascular intervention field to be directly approved based on complete and genuine clinical data from China.

Product Introduction

PADN, the pulmonary artery denervation system designed by Pulnovo Medical, is unique in its use of radiofrequency ablation to precisely target the sympathetic nerves of the pulmonary vascular endothelium. This effectively reduces pulmonary artery pressure and slows disease progression. The PADN system has now received the FDA Breakthrough Device Designation, which is undoubtedly a strong recognition of its innovation and potential value.

06

The World's First and Only

MicroPort CardioFlow MedTech: ScienCrown

Reasons for Selection

The ScienCrown valve system is the world's first self-expanding short valve product with the advantages of a balloon-expandable valve. With its innovative design and clinical performance, it brings new hope for the treatment of patients with aortic stenosis (AS).

Product Introduction

ScienCrown Transcatheter Implantable Aortic Valve System, as the world's first and only self-expanding short valve product with the advantages of a balloon-expandable valve, features 100% full release and full retrievability, dual access, and multiple original designs that greatly address critical pain points in clinical practice. It is suitable for patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) who, after evaluation by a heart team, require aortic valve replacement but are unsuitable for conventional surgical valve replacement.

07

New Standard for Cardiac Monitoring

Abbott: Assert-IQ™

Reasons for Selection

Assert-IQ ICM has transformed the landscape of traditional cardiac monitoring, setting a new standard for continuous monitoring and automatic arrhythmia detection.

Product Introduction

Assert-IQ ICM belongs to a new generation of Bluetooth-enabled implantable cardiac monitors (ICMs). It incorporates several upgrades over traditional ICMs, including: 1) Longer battery life with a theoretical lifespan of over 3 years, making it more suitable for patients with longer syncope intervals or slower disease progression; 2) A "smarter brain": Utilizing a built-in 3D accelerometer and advanced algorithms to provide multidimensional data such as episode posture, activity levels, heart rate trend changes, and daily ventricular premature beat load; 3) Clearer ECG signals: Optimized electrode design and signal acquisition settings enhance the detail of signal presentation; 4) Fewer false alarms and more manageable data volume: The new algorithm applies multiple criteria to identify various arrhythmia events, reducing false alarm rates. The "Key Episodes" technology prioritizes representative ECGs, easing the burden on doctors reviewing data while ensuring no critical signals are missed.

08

New Choice for Interventional Therapy

Edwards Lifesciences: PASCAL Precision

Reasons for Selection

The PASCAL Precision system uses an innovative clamp technology to effectively reduce blood regurgitation by fixing the anterior and posterior leaflets of the mitral or tricuspid valve regurgitation area and promoting their coaptation.

Product Introduction

As a representative product in Edwards' global transcatheter mitral and tricuspid valve disease treatment field, the PASCAL Precision system offers excellent maneuverability, stability, as well as precise navigation and implant delivery capabilities.

Its core advantages lie in: independent leaflet manipulation capability for precise positioning; central occlusion structure enhancing immediate reflux control, stretchable implant structure adapting to complex anatomical structures, significantly improving surgical safety. Meanwhile, the system, through its anti-injury clamping design, maximally protects the patient's native valve while optimizing surgical efficiency with a highly stable and controllable delivery system.

09

Efficient Fragmentation of Deep Calcification

Minimally Invasive Medical: TomaHawk®/Warhawk®

Reasons for Selection

TomaHawk®/Tomahawk® IVL SystemIt can emit non-focused, pulsed shock waves to calcified plaques under low-pressure balloon dilation, achieving efficient fragmentation of deep calcification without damaging the vascular endothelium, therebyImprove Vascular Compliance, creating more stable operating conditions for subsequent interventional treatments, furtherExpanded the treatment approach for complex calcified lesions。

Product Introduction

TomaHawk®/战斧® IVL System has the following advantages:

China’s first real-time pressure monitoring function avoids pulse release when the balloon bursts or is insufficiently inflated. Combined with a three-layer composite balloon structure and a 16atm Rated Burst Pressure (RBP), it enhances the reliability of device use and ensures effective energy transmission.

The exclusive patented "Tomahawk Electrode" emitter design not only generates shock waves equivalent to a 50atm effect but also achieves a minimum outer diameter as low as 0.031".

10

The World's First

Zhongke Yian: High-Nitrogen Nickel-Free Stainless Steel Cardiovascular Stent

Reasons for Selection

This product is the world's first high-nitrogen (N) nickel-free (Ni) stainless steel cardiovascular stent product.

Product Introduction

The Lancet and other journals have published articles showing that the incidence of restenosis in patients with nickel allergies is significantly increased, with approximately 10% of the population being allergic to nickel. Metallic materials have always been the mainstream choice for cardiovascular stent manufacturing, primarily 316L stainless steel and cobalt-chromium alloys such as L605, both of which contain more than 10% nickel. Therefore, patients with nickel allergies undergoing stent implantation therapy face a notably higher risk of restenosis.

In response to the clinical pain points caused by nickel allergy, a research team led by Yang Ke and Zhang Bingchun from the Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, developed China's first high-nitrogen nickel-free medical austenitic stainless steel (Fe-18Cr-15Mn-3Mo-1N) under the support of the National 863 Program during the "Tenth Five-Year Plan," following the United States. Thanks to its completely nickel-free composition, the material exhibits superior biocompatibility, with significantly enhanced strength—more than twice that of 316L stainless steel—and comparable to L605 cobalt-based alloy, ensuring higher mechanical safety. Moreover, the material demonstrates excellent anticoagulant properties and hemocompatibility, making it an ideal choice for vascular stent manufacturing. Leveraging the comprehensive advantages of this innovative metallic material, the research team is fully supporting Zhongke Yian Medical Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. in developing a new cardiovascular stent product made from high-nitrogen nickel-free stainless steel.

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For a long time, Instrumentation Family has always focused on the cutting-edge technology of the medical device industry, cultivated high-quality resources, and committed to discovering more industry leaders. With a professional perspective, we aim to support the high-quality development of the industry. In the future, we will continue our efforts and release more innovative lists in various medical device subfields. Stay tuned!