Medtronic Announces First Commercial Use of Thrombectomy System

Dec. 10, 2025 — Medtronic plc has announced the first commercial use of the Liberant thrombectomy system (Liberant). Indicated for the removal of fresh, soft emboli or thrombi from the vessels of the peripheral arterial and venous systems, Liberant expands the Medtronic portfolio of treatment options for peripheral arterial and venous diseases to include mechanical aspiration thrombectomy.

The first procedure using the Liberant thrombectomy system was performed by Ajit Rao, MD, vascular surgeon, The Mount Sinai Hospital, in New York in November. “The Liberant thrombectomy system is an effective new tool that performs well even in complex cases, maneuvering through challenging anatomy with ease and limiting blood loss through an intelligent algorithm,” said Dr. Rao. “We’re able to remove clot burden with greater precision and, for patients, this means a procedure designed to be more efficient and aimed at helping them restore circulation and mobility as safely and effectively as possible."

The Liberant platform leverages an intelligent algorithm that automatically adapts the pulse rate to provide appropriate aspiration power and pairs it with key advancements in catheter technology and blood conservation. Product features include:

• Availability in three sizes (6 French, 8 French [short and long lengths], and 12 French), providing physicians the flexibility to treat arterial, venous and arteriovenous vessels. Smaller and larger sizes are in development, with a 5 French rapid exchange catheter expected early calendar year 2026.
• Catheters with an atraumatic and angled tip^‡ for more effective^§, wall-to-wall clot removal¹ and a hybrid braid-coil design that improves torque response.^◊,1
• An ultrasonic sensor that directly measures blood flow and an intelligent algorithm that automatically adapts the pulse rate to provide appropriate aspiration power, resulting in 35% less blood loss compared to Penumbra Indigo™* Lightning in bench testing with ovine blood.^†1
• A catheter, dilator and clotbuster included in each set to deliver more value to physicians.^¶
• Compatibility with Excipio* thrombectomy devices, rapid exchange catheters with a mechanical basket, used with controlled aspiration for procedural efficiency.^# Excipio devices are purpose-built to work with aspiration catheters like the Liberant™ thrombectomy system.​

“Liberant is designed to provide precision catheter deliverability while minimizing blood loss during clot removal — two key challenges often faced in thrombectomy procedures,” said John Laird, MD, chief medical officer, Peripheral Vascular Health, which is a part of the Cardiovascular Portfolio at Medtronic.“ Additionally, Liberant’s compatibility with Excipio devices gives physicians the ability to combine aspiration and clot disruption technologies in particularly challenging cases.”

The launch of Liberant is the first in a series of broader investments in peripheral and venous thrombectomy solutions by Medtronic. This includes pipeline investments as well as the initiation of a multicenter, real-world clinical assessment to evaluate the periprocedural device performance of both Liberant and Excipio. 

Liberant and Excipio have U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearance and are currently available in the United States.

Risks include, but are not limited to, embolization, hemorrhage, thrombosis, and vessel damage.

References

_{† Based on bench data with Liberant 8F long and 12Fr in standard mode compared to Penumbra Indigo™* Lightning 7Fr and 12Fr.
‡ On 8Fr and 12Fr.
§ Based on bench data measuring maneuverability
◊ Based on bench data with Liberant 8Fr and 12Fr compared to Penumbra Lightning 7Fr and Lightning 12Fr. Torque response at 180 degrees
¶ Price point established for entire catheter set including both clotbuster and dilator. Penumbra separator sold separately at an added cost.
# Based on decreased need to remove mechanical aspiration to complete the procedure}

* Medtronic is the sole distributor of Excipio Thrombectomy Devices. Excipio is a registered trademark of Contego Medical, Inc.

Footnotes

1. Data on file at Medtronic D01380628 In-Vitro Marketing Testing on Liberant and Penumbra Indigo System Report. Bench testing may not be indicative of clinical performance.