AtriCure

1994

Michael Hooven and his wife, Sue Spies, co-founded ENABLE Medical Corporation. ENABLE Medical’s first product was a pair of radiofrequency energized surgical scissors designed to harvest saphenous veins in cardiac bypass procedures, IMA harvesting, and general surgical applications.

2000

In November, AtriCure was established as an independent business focused on atrial fibrillation. ENABLE Medical provided contract development and manufacturing services to AtriCure.

2001

The AtriCure bipolar ablation system was cleared by the U.S. FDA for the ablation of soft tissues.

2002

The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery published the first article on AtriCure devices--"Chronic Transmural Atrial Ablation by Using Bipolar Radiofrequency Energy on the Beating Heart." The article was authored by Sunil M. Prasad, M.D., Hersh S. Maniar, M.D., Richard B. Schuessler, Ph.D., and Ralph J. Damiano, Jr., M.D.

2005

On August, 5, 2005, AtriCure became a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange. Prior to AtriCure's initial public offering, AtriCure acquired ENABLE Medical and all of its personnel, facilities and other assets.

AtriCure opened its European office in the Netherlands.

2007

AtriCure entered the cryosurgical market when it acquired the Frigitronics cryogenic product line from CooperSurgical, Inc.

AtriCure launched the EXCLUDE trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the AtriClip LAA Exclusion System for occluding the left atrial appendage.

2008

The Isolator Coolrail Linear Pen was cleared by FDA for ablation of cardiac tissue with radiofrequency energy during cardiac surgery.

The first patient was enrolled in the ABLATE Study. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the AtriCure Bipolar System in performing pulmonary vein isolations and the atrial “connecting lesions” of the Maze procedure.

2009

AtriCure’s cryoICE and cryo1 cryoablation probes were cleared by FDA for the cryosurgical treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. 

2010

The AtriClip LAA Exclusion System was cleared by FDA for the occlusion of the left atrial appendage, under direct visualization, in conjunction with other open cardiac surgical procedures.

The first patient was enrolled in AtriCure’s DEEP AF feasibility study. The study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of a dual epicardial and endocardial ablation procedure for patients presenting with persistent atrial fibrillation or longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation.

2011

Following successful completion of the ABLATE study, AtriCure’s Isolator Synergy ablation system became the first device approved by FDA for the treatment of persistent or longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation.

2012

AtriCure partnered with Dr. James L. Cox and launched the Maze IV training program in the United States to educate healthcare providers on the safe and effective use of the AtriCure Isolator Synergy System in the treatment of non-paroxysmal forms of atrial fibrillation.

2013

AtriCure expanded the Maze IV training program to Europe.

2014

A milestone was reached as AtriCure surpassed 150,000 ablations and over 200,000 patients treated. The Minneapolis office was also opened.

AtriCure acquired Endoscopic Technologies, Inc. (Estech), which expanded AtriCure's product portfolio with the addition of the Fusion Surgical Ablation System and a comprehensive suite of cardiac surgery instruments. As a result, AtriCure opened the San Ramon office.

2015

Launched the availability of its cryoICE cryo ablation probe (CRYO2) to provide cryoanalgesia for temporary pain management. AtriCure’s cryoICE is the first FDA cleared cryo ablation probe for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias and for the temporary ablation of peripheral nerves to block pain.

A milestone in LAA management is reached with more than 50,000 patients worldwide having been treated with AtriClip LAA Exclusion System.

AtriCure acquired nContact Surgical, LLC.

On November 3, 2015, the Cincinnati headquarters opened its newly built facility in Mason, Ohio.

AtriCure announces first patient enrolled in international Afib clinical study, Combined Endoscopic Epicardial and Percutaneous Endocardial Ablation versus Repeated Catheter Ablation in Persistent and Longstanding Persistent Atrial Fibrillation (CEASE-AF).

2016

First patient enrolled in ATLAS clinical study. This observational study explores the use of the AtriClip device to decrease complications associated with Post-Operative Afib (POAF) by targeting specific cardiac surgery patient populations at the highest risk of developing POAF.

The cryoFORM cryoablation probe made commercially available in the U.S. This probe offers increased probe flexibility to adapt to a variety of surgical ablation procedures.

A new AtriClip device, called the AtriClip PRO2 was made commercially available in the U.S. This new device has increased functionality that enhances the capability of occluding the left atrial appendage in minimally-invasive cardiac surgeries.

Received CE Mark for the AtriClip PRO2 device in the European market.

Gained approval for the AtriClip products in Japan.

Also gained approval for cryoICE platform in Japan.

First patient enrolled in the FROST trial. This clinical study examines the cryoICE Cryoablation Probe, CRYO2, for pain management in post thoracic procedures via intercostal cryoanalgesia.