Health Canada has approved Merit Medical Systems’ Wrapsody cell-impermeable endoprosthesis (CIE) device, tailored to aid physicians in prolonging functional vascular access in haemodialysis patients.

The company plans to commercialise the device immediately across the country, with shipments from its distribution centre in Toronto.

According to the company, vascular access is essential for haemodialysis patients, but stenosis can pose a significant risk if not addressed.

The Wrapsody CIE device, designed by the company's engineers after identifying shortcomings in previous devices, offers a tri-layer design to combat this issue.

The layers include an expandable nitinol stent frame enclosed completely by a coat of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

In addition, a cell-impermeable middle layer is included to prevent accumulation of the tissue, and an innermost layer of spun PTFE to decrease fibrin and thrombus formation.

These features, alongside radial force and softened ends, aim to improve the device's conformity to blood vessels and enhance dialysis effectiveness, stated the company.

Outcomes from the WRAPSODY Arteriovenous Access Efficacy (WAVE) trial’s randomised arm have shown the device’s higher primary patency rates against percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA).

Merit Medical Systems CEO and chairman Fred Lampropoulos said: “Our WRAPSODY journey is a testament to our determination at Merit to understand, innovate, and deliver the highest quality products to help our physician partners achieve the best outcomes possible for patients.”

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted premarket approval to the device in December 2024, and commercialisation in the US started in January.

The device also holds the CE Mark for use in the European Union and is available in Brazil.

In March, Merit Medical enrolled the first subject in the PREEMIE study to assess the efficacy and safety of the Bloom Micro Occluder System for treating patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in premature infants.