Merit Medical Releases Prelude Wave Sheath Introducer for Radial Access Procedures.

Merit Medical Systems has released the Prelude Wave Hydrophilic Sheath Introducer with SnapFix Securement Technology, a low-profile sheath designed to aid in radial access procedures and reduce arterial spasm and occlusion. The Prelude Wave is part of Merit's Access portfolio and features a hydrophilic sheath with best-in-class insertion and sheath retention. Radial access has many benefits, but complications like spasm and occlusion can still occur.

Merit Medical Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: MMSI) has announced the commercial release of the Prelude Wave™ Hydrophilic Sheath Introducer with SnapFix™ Securement Technology in the US market. This innovative medical device is designed to address critical challenges in radial access procedures, where complications such as radial artery spasm and occlusion are common.

The Prelude Wave features a low-profile, hydrophilic sheath with best-in-class insertion and sheath retention. It is part of Merit's comprehensive Access portfolio, which includes a wide range of dilators, micro-access systems, sheath introducers, and guide sheaths. The device is designed to aid in the reduction of arterial spasm and occlusion during radial access procedures.

Radial access offers numerous well-documented benefits over the femoral approach, including reduced patient discomfort and a lower risk of bleeding complications. However, complications such as radial artery spasm and occlusion can still occur, affecting up to 20% of patients and approximately 4.6% of cases, respectively [1]. These complications can lead to patient discomfort and procedural inefficiencies.

The Prelude Wave with SnapFix technology offers significant improvements over competing products. It provides twice the lubricity, twice the resistance to buckling and kinking, and requires 40% less insertion force compared to leading competitors [2]. The SnapFix technology offers twice the adhesive strength and is rated superior by physicians for performance and ease of use.

This launch aligns with the industry's shift toward radial-first approaches in interventional cardiology. The device complements Merit's recent acquisition of StatSeal, a patented hemostatic sealant used to protect access sites in radial procedures, demonstrating a cohesive strategy to build a comprehensive radial access ecosystem.

Merit Medical Systems, with approximately 7,300 employees and an 800-person sales and clinical support team, is well-positioned to drive the adoption of this innovation. The endorsement from Dr. Morton Kern, a recognized interventional cardiologist, adds credibility to the product's clinical benefits and potential market reception.

References

[1] Rathore et al. (2010). "Impact of Length and Hydrophilic Coating of the Introducer Sheath on Radial Artery Spasm during Transradial Coronary Intervention." JACC Cardiovasc Interv 3, no. 5 (May): 475 ̶ 83. doi: 10.1016/j.jcin.2010.03.009. [URL](https://www.streetinsider.com/Globe+Newswire/Merit+Medical+Launches+the+Prelude+Wave+Hydrophilic+Sheath+Introducer+with+SnapFix+Technology/25164515.html)

[2] Stocktitan. (2025). "Merit Medical Systems Launches the Prelude Wave Hydrophilic Sheath Introducer with SnapFix Securement Technology." [URL](https://www.stocktitan.net/news/MMSI/merit-medical-launches-the-prelude-wave-hydrophilic-sheath-hins0poyu3mo.html)