St. Jude Gets CE Marking, Starts European Launch of HydroSteer

St. Jude Medical was given CE Marking approval and will begin launching its line of HydroSteer hydrophilic-coated nitinol guidewires in Europe.

The guidewires feature coatings that become slippery when wet, thereby reducing friction and allowing physicians to more easily maneuver them, the company said.

Used in cardiovascular procedures, guidewires provide access to areas in which a patient's artery or vein may be blocked or narrowed.