Abiomed integrates Opsens’ sensor technology into its Impella catheter

Abiomed, Inc. (NASDAQ: ABMD) (“Abiomed”), a leading provider of breakthrough heart support technologies designed for heart recovery, today announced a strategic partnership with Opsens (TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE: OPS) (“Opsens”), a leading developer of fiber optic sensors. Through this partnership, Opsens’ breakthrough sensor technology will be integrated into the Impella^® catheter to provide robust blood pressure measurements that can be used to enhance Impella’s performance and ease-of-use.

“This partnership with Opsens further demonstrates Abiomed’s commitment to continue enhancing and updating Impella technology and providing better results for customers”

Impella, the World’s Smallest Heart Pump, has supported more than 1,600 patients in the U.S. and more than 3,000 patients worldwide. Over the past fiscal year 2010, product enhancements to the Impella have included a new introducer sheath and a quick set-up software and kit, which have allowed customers to reduce the Impella set-up time from 11 minutes to 2 minutes.

Through this latest enhancement, Opsens’ fiber optic sensors will be integrated into the Impella catheter and will allow for further improvements in set-up time, as well as provide a high-quality pressure monitoring capability that can eventually be used to help automate the control and operation of the Impella pump. Unlike current fiber optic sensors used on other cardiac assist devices today such as certain Intra-Aortic Balloons (IABs), Opsens’ fiber optic sensor is designed to provide longer-term accuracy and reliability.

“This partnership with Opsens further demonstrates Abiomed’s commitment to continue enhancing and updating Impella technology and providing better results for customers,” said David M. Weber, Chief Operating Officer of Abiomed. “By integrating Opsens’ technology into our Impella platform, we can provide our customers with even more calculated control and insight during their high-risk and emergent procedures.”