Medtronic plc announced that it has entered into a distribution agreement with Merit Medical Systems, Inc. to offer the basivertebral nerve ablation (BVNA) system, ViaVerte. According to a company press release, the FDA-cleard ViaVerte is the first and only BVNA system with a physician-controlled steerable mechanism for precise basivertebral nerve targeting for treating chronic vertebrogenic lower back pain caused by damaged vertebral endplates.

This agreement continues Medtronic’s momentum in executing on strategic deals that strengthen the company’s leadership within its core franchises and expands an ongoing relationship between Medtronic and Merit. Merit currently supplies Medtronic’s Kyphon Xpander Inflation Syringes used in balloon kyphoplasty procedures and Kyphon KyphoFlex unipedicular steerable balloon catheter for treating vertebral compression fractures.

The ViaVerte BVNA system, which will be available later this year, offers patients a minimally invasive, same day outpatient procedure. Alongside Medtronic’s comprehensive pain offerings, the latest agreement with Merit Medical supports Medtronic’s goal of maximizing innovative therapy options for customers and their patients.

“We are thrilled to expand our ongoing business relationship with Medtronic by providing Merit’s proprietary articulating technology,” said Michael Blackham, executive vice president, Global OEM, Merit Medical Systems, Inc. “We believe ViaVerte represents a significant advancement in the BVNA market.”

Medtronic’s current portfolio of pain therapies includes spinal cord stimulation, vertebral augmentation, nerve ablation, bone tumor ablation, and targeted drug delivery. The company says, the addition of an advanced steerable solution for BVNA expands this portfolio to directly meet the growing demand for this expanded therapy option.