Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) is transforming how physicians treat calcified arterial lesions — from complex coronary plaque to heavily calcified peripheral vessels. While all IVL systems share the same clinical objective — fracturing calcium safely and predictably — they differ significantly in how they create and deliver sonic pressure waves.
For readers new to IVL technology: These pressure waves generate the mechanical forces necessary to fracture calcium deposits without damaging the surrounding arterial wall (think of it as precisely cracking a walnut without disturbing the shell).
Emitter design is at the core of these differences — a fundamental factor that directly influences energy efficiency, lesion coverage, procedural control, and ultimately, patient outcomes. Understanding these design variations is crucial for clinicians evaluating IVL technologies and fascinating for anyone curious about how cutting-edge medical devices actually work.
Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) is transforming how physicians treat calcified arterial lesions — from complex coronary plaque to heavily calcified peripheral vessels. While all IVL systems share the same clinical objective — fracturing calcium safely and predictably — they differ significantly in how they create and deliver sonic pressure waves.
For readers new to IVL technology: These pressure waves generate the mechanical forces necessary to fracture calcium deposits without damaging the surrounding arterial wall (think of it as precisely cracking a walnut without disturbing the shell).
Emitter design is at the core of these differences — a fundamental factor that directly influences energy efficiency, lesion coverage, procedural control, and ultimately, patient outcomes. Understanding these design variations is crucial for clinicians evaluating IVL technologies and fascinating for anyone curious about how cutting-edge medical devices actually work.
Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) is transforming how physicians treat calcified arterial lesions — from complex coronary plaque to heavily calcified peripheral vessels. While all IVL systems share the same clinical objective — fracturing calcium safely and predictably — they differ significantly in how they create and deliver sonic pressure waves.
For readers new to IVL technology: These pressure waves generate the mechanical forces necessary to fracture calcium deposits without damaging the surrounding arterial wall (think of it as precisely cracking a walnut without disturbing the shell).
Emitter design is at the core of these differences — a fundamental factor that directly influences energy efficiency, lesion coverage, procedural control, and ultimately, patient outcomes. Understanding these design variations is crucial for clinicians evaluating IVL technologies and fascinating for anyone curious about how cutting-edge medical devices actually work.
Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) is transforming how physicians treat calcified arterial lesions — from complex coronary plaque to heavily calcified peripheral vessels. While all IVL systems share the same clinical objective — fracturing calcium safely and predictably — they differ significantly in how they create and deliver sonic pressure waves.
For readers new to IVL technology: These pressure waves generate the mechanical forces necessary to fracture calcium deposits without damaging the surrounding arterial wall (think of it as precisely cracking a walnut without disturbing the shell).
Emitter design is at the core of these differences — a fundamental factor that directly influences energy efficiency, lesion coverage, procedural control, and ultimately, patient outcomes. Understanding these design variations is crucial for clinicians evaluating IVL technologies and fascinating for anyone curious about how cutting-edge medical devices actually work.
In a Flash⚡
Emitter Design
What is an IVL emitter?
In intravascular lithotripsy (IVL), emitter design refers to how a system generates and delivers sonic pressure waves to fracture calcified plaque. The emitters are the energy-producing components housed within the balloon catheter. These fundamental design choices directly impact procedural efficiency, coverage uniformity, and energy durability — making it a critical factor in clinical outcomes.
What sets FastWave Medical’s emitter design apart?
Conventional IVL systems rely on fixated emitters that generate sonic pressure at distinct, cross-sectional points, which are prone to degradation and uneven coverage. The novel emitters in FastWave’s electric IVL (E-IVL) system provide circumferential energy distribution with extended durability and pulse frequencies up to 4 Hz — twice as fast as existing IVL technology — enabling the promise of more comprehensive calcium modification, especially for eccentric and nodular lesions. FastWave’s laser IVL (L-IVL) platform introduces a custom energy source that delivers sonic pressure at 5 Hz — 5x faster than legacy systems and with nearly triple the total energy available — offering a new paradigm for efficiency and lesion coverage.
This article examines how emitter design works across the four leading IVL systems, focusing on three critical aspects: the method used to create cavitation, the resulting sonic pressure coverage, and how emitter durability impacts therapeutic delivery throughout the procedure.
How Do Different Emitters Create Cavitation?
All IVL systems rely on cavitation — the rapid formation and collapse of vapor bubbles within the fluid of the angioplasty balloon — to generate sonic pressure waves that fracture calcified plaque. But each platform creates cavitation in its own way.
First-generation IVL systems: Use spark-gap technology to generate plasma arcs at fixed positions diametrically opposed to each other within the balloon.¹ Each electrical pulse of energy produces cavitation at those two points.
Other laser-based IVL systems: Use a stationary ND:YAG laser (neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet) to fire into fixed emitter targets spaced throughout the balloon. These stationary emitter targets are needed to create cavitation.
FastWave Artero™ (E-IVL): Uses spark-gap technology but features circumferential longitudinally-spaced emitters comprised of two electrodes. These ring-shaped electrodes generate plasma arcs that rotate dynamically around the emitter with each discharge. This design spreads energy delivery across the electrode surface, reducing localized wear and enabling consistent, 360° pressure coverage over the full treatment cycle.
FastWave Sola™ (L-IVL): Uses a customized laser energy source delivered through a single translating fiber that moves within the balloon. This allows cavitation to be precisely controlled — without stacking multiple fixed emitters or sacrificing balloon profile. The actuating emitter creates cavitation independently, freeing it from the design constraints of fixed targets.
This article examines how emitter design works across the four leading IVL systems, focusing on three critical aspects: the method used to create cavitation, the resulting sonic pressure coverage, and how emitter durability impacts therapeutic delivery throughout the procedure.
How Do Different Emitters Create Cavitation?
All IVL systems rely on cavitation — the rapid formation and collapse of vapor bubbles within the fluid of the angioplasty balloon — to generate sonic pressure waves that fracture calcified plaque. But each platform creates cavitation in its own way.
First-generation IVL systems: Use spark-gap technology to generate plasma arcs at fixed positions diametrically opposed to each other within the balloon.¹ Each electrical pulse of energy produces cavitation at those two points.
Other laser-based IVL systems: Use a stationary ND:YAG laser (neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet) to fire into fixed emitter targets spaced throughout the balloon. These stationary emitter targets are needed to create cavitation.
FastWave Artero™ (E-IVL): Uses spark-gap technology but features circumferential longitudinally-spaced emitters comprised of two electrodes. These ring-shaped electrodes generate plasma arcs that rotate dynamically around the emitter with each discharge. This design spreads energy delivery across the electrode surface, reducing localized wear and enabling consistent, 360° pressure coverage over the full treatment cycle.
FastWave Sola™ (L-IVL): Uses a customized laser energy source delivered through a single translating fiber that moves within the balloon. This allows cavitation to be precisely controlled — without stacking multiple fixed emitters or sacrificing balloon profile. The actuating emitter creates cavitation independently, freeing it from the design constraints of fixed targets.
This article examines how emitter design works across the four leading IVL systems, focusing on three critical aspects: the method used to create cavitation, the resulting sonic pressure coverage, and how emitter durability impacts therapeutic delivery throughout the procedure.
How Do Different Emitters Create Cavitation?
All IVL systems rely on cavitation — the rapid formation and collapse of vapor bubbles within the fluid of the angioplasty balloon — to generate sonic pressure waves that fracture calcified plaque. But each platform creates cavitation in its own way.
First-generation IVL systems: Use spark-gap technology to generate plasma arcs at fixed positions diametrically opposed to each other within the balloon.¹ Each electrical pulse of energy produces cavitation at those two points.
Other laser-based IVL systems: Use a stationary ND:YAG laser (neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet) to fire into fixed emitter targets spaced throughout the balloon. These stationary emitter targets are needed to create cavitation.
FastWave Artero™ (E-IVL): Uses spark-gap technology but features circumferential longitudinally-spaced emitters comprised of two electrodes. These ring-shaped electrodes generate plasma arcs that rotate dynamically around the emitter with each discharge. This design spreads energy delivery across the electrode surface, reducing localized wear and enabling consistent, 360° pressure coverage over the full treatment cycle.
FastWave Sola™ (L-IVL): Uses a customized laser energy source delivered through a single translating fiber that moves within the balloon. This allows cavitation to be precisely controlled — without stacking multiple fixed emitters or sacrificing balloon profile. The actuating emitter creates cavitation independently, freeing it from the design constraints of fixed targets.
This article examines how emitter design works across the four leading IVL systems, focusing on three critical aspects: the method used to create cavitation, the resulting sonic pressure coverage, and how emitter durability impacts therapeutic delivery throughout the procedure.
How Do Different Emitters Create Cavitation?
All IVL systems rely on cavitation — the rapid formation and collapse of vapor bubbles within the fluid of the angioplasty balloon — to generate sonic pressure waves that fracture calcified plaque. But each platform creates cavitation in its own way.
First-generation IVL systems: Use spark-gap technology to generate plasma arcs at fixed positions diametrically opposed to each other within the balloon.¹ Each electrical pulse of energy produces cavitation at those two points.
Other laser-based IVL systems: Use a stationary ND:YAG laser (neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet) to fire into fixed emitter targets spaced throughout the balloon. These stationary emitter targets are needed to create cavitation.
FastWave Artero™ (E-IVL): Uses spark-gap technology but features circumferential longitudinally-spaced emitters comprised of two electrodes. These ring-shaped electrodes generate plasma arcs that rotate dynamically around the emitter with each discharge. This design spreads energy delivery across the electrode surface, reducing localized wear and enabling consistent, 360° pressure coverage over the full treatment cycle.
FastWave Sola™ (L-IVL): Uses a customized laser energy source delivered through a single translating fiber that moves within the balloon. This allows cavitation to be precisely controlled — without stacking multiple fixed emitters or sacrificing balloon profile. The actuating emitter creates cavitation independently, freeing it from the design constraints of fixed targets.
Therapy Delivery
240 seconds (1 Hz)
32 seconds (5 Hz)
Cycle Pause Periods
240 seconds
Few pulses at slower frequency
(1-2 Hz) result in longer procedures
0 seconds
More pulses at faster frequency
(4 Hz)
Treatment Length
12mm
Few pulses at slower frequency
(1-2 Hz) result in longer procedures
24mm
More pulses at faster frequency
(4 Hz)
Total Therapy Time
240 seconds*
32 seconds*
*FastWave's 24mm length balloon does not require repositioning compared to the 12mm length balloons
with first-generation IVL technology.
First-Generation IVL
Therapy Delivery
240 seconds (1 Hz)
Cycle Pause Periods
240 seconds
Treatment Length
12mm
Total Therapy Time
480 seconds*
First-Generation IVL
Therapy Delivery
240 seconds (1 Hz)
Cycle Pause Periods
240 seconds
Treatment Length
12mm
Total Therapy Time
480 seconds*
First-Generation IVL
Therapy Delivery
240 seconds (1 Hz)
Cycle Pause Periods
240 seconds
Treatment Length
12mm
Total Therapy Time
480 seconds*
First-Generation IVL
Therapy Delivery
240 seconds (1 Hz)
Cycle Pause Periods
240 seconds
Treatment Length
12mm
Total Therapy Time
480 seconds*
Side-by-side cavitation patterns from FastWave’s L-IVL and E-IVL systems, which both generate therapeutic cavitation to fracture calcium. FastWave’s L-IVL produces a more spherical cavitation pattern than is possible with E-IVL — delivering controlled, 360-degree energy distribution with each pulse.
Why it matters: Inconsistent energy delivery compromises IVL efficacy and creates unpredictable clinical outcomes. Fixed-point systems result in variable sonic pressure coverage and energy durability, requiring repeated movement of the balloon to deliver adequate therapy to the calcified lesion. FastWave's uniform cavitation mechanics reduce these limitations, ensuring more predictable energy distribution regardless of lesion complexity or anatomy.
Why it matters: Inconsistent energy delivery compromises IVL efficacy and creates unpredictable clinical outcomes. Fixed-point systems result in variable sonic pressure coverage and energy durability, requiring repeated movement of the balloon to deliver adequate therapy to the calcified lesion. FastWave's uniform cavitation mechanics reduce these limitations, ensuring more predictable energy distribution regardless of lesion complexity or anatomy.
Why it matters: Inconsistent energy delivery compromises IVL efficacy and creates unpredictable clinical outcomes. Fixed-point systems result in variable sonic pressure coverage and energy durability, requiring repeated movement of the balloon to deliver adequate therapy to the calcified lesion. FastWave's uniform cavitation mechanics reduce these limitations, ensuring more predictable energy distribution regardless of lesion complexity or anatomy.
Why it matters: Inconsistent energy delivery compromises IVL efficacy and creates unpredictable clinical outcomes. Fixed-point systems result in variable sonic pressure coverage and energy durability, requiring repeated movement of the balloon to deliver adequate therapy to the calcified lesion. FastWave's uniform cavitation mechanics reduce these limitations, ensuring more predictable energy distribution regardless of lesion complexity or anatomy.
How Does Energy Coverage Vary Across Systems?
Once the sonic pressure wave is created, how it is distributed within the artery is critical for effective calcium modification. Not all calcium deposits are the same — some are circumferential, others are eccentric or nodular — which means energy coverage patterns directly impact treatment efficiency and procedural outcomes.
First-generation IVL: Use catheters that generate sonic pressure waves at 180° points diametrically opposed to each other. The design results in non-uniform energy directionality and relatively high pulse-to-pulse pressure variability, which can lead to under-treated plaque, especially eccentric or nodular lesions.
Other laser-based IVL systems: Features multiple emitters that can be activated selectively, but coverage uniformity remains unclear and may be limited by the fixed target configuration.
FastWave Artero™: Produce uniform, 360° circumferential pressure waves coverage across a 30-pulse cycle, which results in improved longitudinal and cross-sectional energy distribution.
FastWave Sola™: Delivers true 360° coverage with every energy pulse, even as the fiber is translated longitudinally by the physician. The consistent distribution of therapy is especially valuable for eccentric, nodular, or irregular calcium patterns that are difficult to treat.
How Does Energy Coverage Vary Across Systems?
Once the sonic pressure wave is created, how it is distributed within the artery is critical for effective calcium modification. Not all calcium deposits are the same — some are circumferential, others are eccentric or nodular — which means energy coverage patterns directly impact treatment efficiency and procedural outcomes.
First-generation IVL: Use catheters that generate sonic pressure waves at 180° points diametrically opposed to each other. The design results in non-uniform energy directionality and relatively high pulse-to-pulse pressure variability, which can lead to under-treated plaque, especially eccentric or nodular lesions.
Other laser-based IVL systems: Features multiple emitters that can be activated selectively, but coverage uniformity remains unclear and may be limited by the fixed target configuration.
FastWave Artero™: Produce uniform, 360° circumferential pressure waves coverage across a 30-pulse cycle, which results in improved longitudinal and cross-sectional energy distribution.
FastWave Sola™: Delivers true 360° coverage with every energy pulse, even as the fiber is translated longitudinally by the physician. The consistent distribution of therapy is especially valuable for eccentric, nodular, or irregular calcium patterns that are difficult to treat.
How Does Energy Coverage Vary Across Systems?
Once the sonic pressure wave is created, how it is distributed within the artery is critical for effective calcium modification. Not all calcium deposits are the same — some are circumferential, others are eccentric or nodular — which means energy coverage patterns directly impact treatment efficiency and procedural outcomes.
First-generation IVL: Use catheters that generate sonic pressure waves at 180° points diametrically opposed to each other. The design results in non-uniform energy directionality and relatively high pulse-to-pulse pressure variability, which can lead to under-treated plaque, especially eccentric or nodular lesions.
Other laser-based IVL systems: Features multiple emitters that can be activated selectively, but coverage uniformity remains unclear and may be limited by the fixed target configuration.
FastWave Artero™: Produce uniform, 360° circumferential pressure waves coverage across a 30-pulse cycle, which results in improved longitudinal and cross-sectional energy distribution.
FastWave Sola™: Delivers true 360° coverage with every energy pulse, even as the fiber is translated longitudinally by the physician. The consistent distribution of therapy is especially valuable for eccentric, nodular, or irregular calcium patterns that are difficult to treat.
How Does Energy Coverage Vary Across Systems?
Once the sonic pressure wave is created, how it is distributed within the artery is critical for effective calcium modification. Not all calcium deposits are the same — some are circumferential, others are eccentric or nodular — which means energy coverage patterns directly impact treatment efficiency and procedural outcomes.
First-generation IVL: Use catheters that generate sonic pressure waves at 180° points diametrically opposed to each other. The design results in non-uniform energy directionality and relatively high pulse-to-pulse pressure variability, which can lead to under-treated plaque, especially eccentric or nodular lesions.
Other laser-based IVL systems: Features multiple emitters that can be activated selectively, but coverage uniformity remains unclear and may be limited by the fixed target configuration.
FastWave Artero™: Produce uniform, 360° circumferential pressure waves coverage across a 30-pulse cycle, which results in improved longitudinal and cross-sectional energy distribution.
FastWave Sola™: Delivers true 360° coverage with every energy pulse, even as the fiber is translated longitudinally by the physician. The consistent distribution of therapy is especially valuable for eccentric, nodular, or irregular calcium patterns that are difficult to treat.
FastWave’s E-IVL delivers 360° energy coverage across one pulse cycle for more uniform calcium modification. By comparison, the emitters in first-generation IVL designs fire in opposite directions, resulting in narrow pressure coverage.
Why it matters: While current IVL systems with directional coverage may leave segments under-treated and require additional movement of the balloon, uniform energy distribution ensures consistent calcium modification across the entire diseased segment of the vessel — reducing procedure time and improving clinical outcomes, especially when plaque is asymmetrical or diffusely distributed.
Why it matters: While current IVL systems with directional coverage may leave segments under-treated and require additional movement of the balloon, uniform energy distribution ensures consistent calcium modification across the entire diseased segment of the vessel — reducing procedure time and improving clinical outcomes, especially when plaque is asymmetrical or diffusely distributed.
Why it matters: While current IVL systems with directional coverage may leave segments under-treated and require additional movement of the balloon, uniform energy distribution ensures consistent calcium modification across the entire diseased segment of the vessel — reducing procedure time and improving clinical outcomes, especially when plaque is asymmetrical or diffusely distributed.
Why it matters: While current IVL systems with directional coverage may leave segments under-treated and require additional movement of the balloon, uniform energy distribution ensures consistent calcium modification across the entire diseased segment of the vessel — reducing procedure time and improving clinical outcomes, especially when plaque is asymmetrical or diffusely distributed.
How Does Emitter Degradation Affect IVL Performance?
Emitter design also affects device durability — and the number and quality of pulses an operator can count on. While early pulses may deliver the intended pressure output, emitter degradation causes variability and progressive reduction in subsequent energy production.
First-generation IVL systems: Use repeated arc discharges at fixed, 180° points degrade the electrodes over time, which can lead to pulse-to-pulse variability and diminished sonic pressure output. For example, existing coronary catheters are capped at 120 pulses and delivered at a 1 Hz frequency. In the peripheral setting, longer balloons (up to 80 mm) include more emitters, resulting in more pulses (300-400). But the increased number of emitters can lead to more balloon stiffness and limit crossability – or the ability to navigate tight or curved vessels.
Other laser-based IVL systems: Use fixed emitter targets that remain stationary, which may lead to similar challenges, although public data on this is limited.
FastWave Artero™: Minimizes degradation by distributing energy around the entire emitter surface. No single point experiences repetitive wear, allowing for predictable output and more energy availability (420 pulses) at a 4 Hz frequency.² This delivers treatments 4x faster than traditional 1 Hz systems.
FastWave Sola™: Eliminates emitter degradation altogether. With no electrical discharge or mechanical target required, the translating optical emitter delivers consistent energy across 300+ pulses, even at a frequency of 5 Hz — 5x faster and nearly 3x the amount of energy in comparison to legacy systems. This design reduces procedure time, shortens the ischemic window, and enhances overall efficiency.
How Does Emitter Degradation Affect IVL Performance?
Emitter design also affects device durability — and the number and quality of pulses an operator can count on. While early pulses may deliver the intended pressure output, emitter degradation causes variability and progressive reduction in subsequent energy production.
First-generation IVL systems: Use repeated arc discharges at fixed, 180° points degrade the electrodes over time, which can lead to pulse-to-pulse variability and diminished sonic pressure output. For example, existing coronary catheters are capped at 120 pulses and delivered at a 1 Hz frequency. In the peripheral setting, longer balloons (up to 80 mm) include more emitters, resulting in more pulses (300-400). But the increased number of emitters can lead to more balloon stiffness and limit crossability – or the ability to navigate tight or curved vessels.
Other laser-based IVL systems: Use fixed emitter targets that remain stationary, which may lead to similar challenges, although public data on this is limited.
FastWave Artero™: Minimizes degradation by distributing energy around the entire emitter surface. No single point experiences repetitive wear, allowing for predictable output and more energy availability (420 pulses) at a 4 Hz frequency.² This delivers treatments 4x faster than traditional 1 Hz systems.
FastWave Sola™: Eliminates emitter degradation altogether. With no electrical discharge or mechanical target required, the translating optical emitter delivers consistent energy across 300+ pulses, even at a frequency of 5 Hz — 5x faster and nearly 3x the amount of energy in comparison to legacy systems. This design reduces procedure time, shortens the ischemic window, and enhances overall efficiency.
How Does Emitter Degradation Affect IVL Performance?
Emitter design also affects device durability — and the number and quality of pulses an operator can count on. While early pulses may deliver the intended pressure output, emitter degradation causes variability and progressive reduction in subsequent energy production.
First-generation IVL systems: Use repeated arc discharges at fixed, 180° points degrade the electrodes over time, which can lead to pulse-to-pulse variability and diminished sonic pressure output. For example, existing coronary catheters are capped at 120 pulses and delivered at a 1 Hz frequency. In the peripheral setting, longer balloons (up to 80 mm) include more emitters, resulting in more pulses (300-400). But the increased number of emitters can lead to more balloon stiffness and limit crossability – or the ability to navigate tight or curved vessels.
Other laser-based IVL systems: Use fixed emitter targets that remain stationary, which may lead to similar challenges, although public data on this is limited.
FastWave Artero™: Minimizes degradation by distributing energy around the entire emitter surface. No single point experiences repetitive wear, allowing for predictable output and more energy availability (420 pulses) at a 4 Hz frequency.² This delivers treatments 4x faster than traditional 1 Hz systems.
FastWave Sola™: Eliminates emitter degradation altogether. With no electrical discharge or mechanical target required, the translating optical emitter delivers consistent energy across 300+ pulses, even at a frequency of 5 Hz — 5x faster and nearly 3x the amount of energy in comparison to legacy systems. This design reduces procedure time, shortens the ischemic window, and enhances overall efficiency.
How Does Emitter Degradation Affect IVL Performance?
Emitter design also affects device durability — and the number and quality of pulses an operator can count on. While early pulses may deliver the intended pressure output, emitter degradation causes variability and progressive reduction in subsequent energy production.
First-generation IVL systems: Use repeated arc discharges at fixed, 180° points degrade the electrodes over time, which can lead to pulse-to-pulse variability and diminished sonic pressure output. For example, existing coronary catheters are capped at 120 pulses and delivered at a 1 Hz frequency. In the peripheral setting, longer balloons (up to 80 mm) include more emitters, resulting in more pulses (300-400). But the increased number of emitters can lead to more balloon stiffness and limit crossability – or the ability to navigate tight or curved vessels.
Other laser-based IVL systems: Use fixed emitter targets that remain stationary, which may lead to similar challenges, although public data on this is limited.
FastWave Artero™: Minimizes degradation by distributing energy around the entire emitter surface. No single point experiences repetitive wear, allowing for predictable output and more energy availability (420 pulses) at a 4 Hz frequency.² This delivers treatments 4x faster than traditional 1 Hz systems.
FastWave Sola™: Eliminates emitter degradation altogether. With no electrical discharge or mechanical target required, the translating optical emitter delivers consistent energy across 300+ pulses, even at a frequency of 5 Hz — 5x faster and nearly 3x the amount of energy in comparison to legacy systems. This design reduces procedure time, shortens the ischemic window, and enhances overall efficiency.
FastWave’s E-IVL emitters create cavitation evenly across the inner surface edges, minimizing degradation. In contrast, first-generation IVL emitters degrade at fixed points opposite of each other, leading to reduced energy delivery over the course of a treatment.
Why it matters: Emitter degradation creates procedural challenges — reduced pulse counts, inconsistent energy delivery, and compromised treatment control. With higher pulse limits and faster delivery rates, FastWave platforms allow physicians to treat longer lesions without excess balloon movement, reducing procedural time and complexity.
Why it matters: Emitter degradation creates procedural challenges — reduced pulse counts, inconsistent energy delivery, and compromised treatment control. With higher pulse limits and faster delivery rates, FastWave platforms allow physicians to treat longer lesions without excess balloon movement, reducing procedural time and complexity.
Why it matters: Emitter degradation creates procedural challenges — reduced pulse counts, inconsistent energy delivery, and compromised treatment control. With higher pulse limits and faster delivery rates, FastWave platforms allow physicians to treat longer lesions without excess balloon movement, reducing procedural time and complexity.
Why it matters: Emitter degradation creates procedural challenges — reduced pulse counts, inconsistent energy delivery, and compromised treatment control. With higher pulse limits and faster delivery rates, FastWave platforms allow physicians to treat longer lesions without excess balloon movement, reducing procedural time and complexity.
How Do Emitter Designs Affect Balloon Specs?
Emitter configuration doesn’t just impact how energy is created — it influences balloon profile (diameter), catheter flexibility, and treatment length. Adding more emitters to extend treatment zones seems logical, but each additional component increases catheter stiffness and bulk. This creates an engineering challenge: how do you maximize treatment coverage without compromising deliverability?
With first-generation IVL systems and other laser-based approaches, longer balloons require additional emitters or emitter targets. But each added mechanical fixture can increase catheter stiffness and balloon profile, making deliverability more difficult — especially in complex anatomy. This is one reason why their coronary balloons are limited to 12mm.³ Any longer, and the catheter can become too difficult to deliver for real-world use.
FastWave Artero™: Balances treatment length and deliverability by using dual-electrode emitters that are embedded within the guidewire lumen. This allows for longer balloon lengths while maintaining flexibility and trackability in complex anatomy.
FastWave Sola™: Aim to avoid this tradeoff altogether. Its physician-controlled translating emitter can cover longer treatment zones without adding mechanical components inside the balloon. This allows for 24mm balloon lengths — double the coronary length of competitors — without sacrificing deliverability or crossability.
How Do Emitter Designs Affect Balloon Specs?
Emitter configuration doesn’t just impact how energy is created — it influences balloon profile (diameter), catheter flexibility, and treatment length. Adding more emitters to extend treatment zones seems logical, but each additional component increases catheter stiffness and bulk. This creates an engineering challenge: how do you maximize treatment coverage without compromising deliverability?
With first-generation IVL systems and other laser-based approaches, longer balloons require additional emitters or emitter targets. But each added mechanical fixture can increase catheter stiffness and balloon profile, making deliverability more difficult — especially in complex anatomy. This is one reason why their coronary balloons are limited to 12mm.³ Any longer, and the catheter can become too difficult to deliver for real-world use.
FastWave Artero™: Balances treatment length and deliverability by using dual-electrode emitters that are embedded within the guidewire lumen. This allows for longer balloon lengths while maintaining flexibility and trackability in complex anatomy.
FastWave Sola™: Aim to avoid this tradeoff altogether. Its physician-controlled translating emitter can cover longer treatment zones without adding mechanical components inside the balloon. This allows for 24mm balloon lengths — double the coronary length of competitors — without sacrificing deliverability or crossability.
How Do Emitter Designs Affect Balloon Specs?
Emitter configuration doesn’t just impact how energy is created — it influences balloon profile (diameter), catheter flexibility, and treatment length. Adding more emitters to extend treatment zones seems logical, but each additional component increases catheter stiffness and bulk. This creates an engineering challenge: how do you maximize treatment coverage without compromising deliverability?
With first-generation IVL systems and other laser-based approaches, longer balloons require additional emitters or emitter targets. But each added mechanical fixture can increase catheter stiffness and balloon profile, making deliverability more difficult — especially in complex anatomy. This is one reason why their coronary balloons are limited to 12mm.³ Any longer, and the catheter can become too difficult to deliver for real-world use.
FastWave Artero™: Balances treatment length and deliverability by using dual-electrode emitters that are embedded within the guidewire lumen. This allows for longer balloon lengths while maintaining flexibility and trackability in complex anatomy.
FastWave Sola™: Aim to avoid this tradeoff altogether. Its physician-controlled translating emitter can cover longer treatment zones without adding mechanical components inside the balloon. This allows for 24mm balloon lengths — double the coronary length of competitors — without sacrificing deliverability or crossability.
How Do Emitter Designs Affect Balloon Specs?
Emitter configuration doesn’t just impact how energy is created — it influences balloon profile (diameter), catheter flexibility, and treatment length. Adding more emitters to extend treatment zones seems logical, but each additional component increases catheter stiffness and bulk. This creates an engineering challenge: how do you maximize treatment coverage without compromising deliverability?
With first-generation IVL systems and other laser-based approaches, longer balloons require additional emitters or emitter targets. But each added mechanical fixture can increase catheter stiffness and balloon profile, making deliverability more difficult — especially in complex anatomy. This is one reason why their coronary balloons are limited to 12mm.³ Any longer, and the catheter can become too difficult to deliver for real-world use.
FastWave Artero™: Balances treatment length and deliverability by using dual-electrode emitters that are embedded within the guidewire lumen. This allows for longer balloon lengths while maintaining flexibility and trackability in complex anatomy.
FastWave Sola™: Aim to avoid this tradeoff altogether. Its physician-controlled translating emitter can cover longer treatment zones without adding mechanical components inside the balloon. This allows for 24mm balloon lengths — double the coronary length of competitors — without sacrificing deliverability or crossability.
Unlike first-generation IVL systems that require additional emitters with longer-length balloons — making catheters stiffer and harder to deliver — FastWave’s L-IVL design uses a single translating emitter, resulting in a constant crossing profile regardless of the balloon length.
Why it matters: Traditional emitter designs result in a tradeoff between balloon length and deliverability. By decoupling treatment coverage from internal component constraints, FastWave enables calcium modification across longer lesions with a highly deliverable catheter.
Why it matters: Traditional emitter designs result in a tradeoff between balloon length and deliverability. By decoupling treatment coverage from internal component constraints, FastWave enables calcium modification across longer lesions with a highly deliverable catheter.
Why it matters: Traditional emitter designs result in a tradeoff between balloon length and deliverability. By decoupling treatment coverage from internal component constraints, FastWave enables calcium modification across longer lesions with a highly deliverable catheter.
Why it matters: Traditional emitter designs result in a tradeoff between balloon length and deliverability. By decoupling treatment coverage from internal component constraints, FastWave enables calcium modification across longer lesions with a highly deliverable catheter.
The Bottom Line on Emitter Design
Emitter design is not a minor detail; it is the core of an IVL system's functionality. The method of cavitation, uniformity of pressure coverage, and resistance to degradation directly translate into procedural efficiency, control, and the ability to treat more complex cases. By engineering solutions that specifically address the known limitations of conventional emitters — from pulse-to-pulse variability to the challenges of treating diffuse disease — FastWave’s Artero™ and Sola™ platforms demonstrate how intelligent design can elevate IVL therapy to a new standard of performance.
As IVL technology continues to evolve, emitter design will remain the critical factor determining which systems can meet the increasing demands of complex cardiovascular interventions.
The Bottom Line on Emitter Design
Emitter design is not a minor detail; it is the core of an IVL system's functionality. The method of cavitation, uniformity of pressure coverage, and resistance to degradation directly translate into procedural efficiency, control, and the ability to treat more complex cases. By engineering solutions that specifically address the known limitations of conventional emitters — from pulse-to-pulse variability to the challenges of treating diffuse disease — FastWave’s Artero™ and Sola™ platforms demonstrate how intelligent design can elevate IVL therapy to a new standard of performance.
As IVL technology continues to evolve, emitter design will remain the critical factor determining which systems can meet the increasing demands of complex cardiovascular interventions.
The Bottom Line on Emitter Design
Emitter design is not a minor detail; it is the core of an IVL system's functionality. The method of cavitation, uniformity of pressure coverage, and resistance to degradation directly translate into procedural efficiency, control, and the ability to treat more complex cases. By engineering solutions that specifically address the known limitations of conventional emitters — from pulse-to-pulse variability to the challenges of treating diffuse disease — FastWave’s Artero™ and Sola™ platforms demonstrate how intelligent design can elevate IVL therapy to a new standard of performance.
As IVL technology continues to evolve, emitter design will remain the critical factor determining which systems can meet the increasing demands of complex cardiovascular interventions.
The Bottom Line on Emitter Design
Emitter design is not a minor detail; it is the core of an IVL system's functionality. The method of cavitation, uniformity of pressure coverage, and resistance to degradation directly translate into procedural efficiency, control, and the ability to treat more complex cases. By engineering solutions that specifically address the known limitations of conventional emitters — from pulse-to-pulse variability to the challenges of treating diffuse disease — FastWave’s Artero™ and Sola™ platforms demonstrate how intelligent design can elevate IVL therapy to a new standard of performance.
As IVL technology continues to evolve, emitter design will remain the critical factor determining which systems can meet the increasing demands of complex cardiovascular interventions.
Sources and References
Sources and References
Sources and References
Sources and References
