Johnson & Johnson has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Atraverse Medical, bringing the developer of a novel transseptal access platform into its cardiovascular portfolio. The transaction, expected to close in the second quarter of 2026 subject to customary conditions, will add the company’s Hotwire system to Johnson & Johnson’s expanding suite of cardiac ablation technologies. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
Atraverse Medical is known for its Hotwire transseptal access system, a radiofrequency guidewire designed for left-heart access. The device enables zero-exchange access while also functioning as a support rail for catheter-based therapies. Developed by Steven Mickelsen alongside co-founder Eric Sauter, the system reflects continued innovation in electrophysiology tools. Mickelsen previously founded Farapulse, which was acquired by Boston Scientific in 2021. The system has already been deployed in more than 3,000 clinical procedures, underscoring its early adoption in interventional cardiology settings.
Regulatory milestones have supported the platform’s progress. The device initially received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in May 2024, followed by an additional clearance in December 2025 for the Hotwire RF generator integrated with the guidewire. This generator is designed to mitigate the risk of uncontrolled energy delivery once access to the left atrium is achieved, while also allowing activation within the sterile field to improve procedural control. Earlier this year, Atraverse reported positive clinical findings associated with the system.
According to Johnson & Johnson, the addition of Atraverse Medical will enhance its cardiac ablation portfolio, which includes platforms such as Varipulse and the Carto 3 mapping system. The Hotwire system’s features — including impedance sensing with automatic energy shutoff, compatibility with multiple sheaths, and visibility under intracardiac echocardiography — are expected to complement existing technologies. The Atraverse Medical acquisition reflects the company’s continued focus on advancing minimally invasive solutions in electrophysiology.
