Sustainability report

Product design & innovation

Definition

At Edwards, we consider the topic of Product design & innovation to include our efforts to incorporate a needs-driven approach to designing products to better meet the needs of patients, physicians and health care systems; and our efforts to invest in research and development and employ innovative methods to improve design and performance of products.

Our aspirations

icon-aspirations-strengthen

Transforming patient lives with breakthrough medical technologies

icon-aspirations-excel

Passionate engagement that strengthens our communities

Material topics
Highlight story

SAPIEN 3 Ultra RESILIA packaging advancements

In 2022, Edwards launched in the U.S. the SAPIEN 3 Ultra RESILIA Valve, which incorporates proprietary and innovative dry valve technology for tissue treatment. This new technology provided an opportunity for the packaging team, and they partnered with our stakeholders and suppliers to develop an environmentally sustainable packaging solution. The team created a product-specific packaging system that offers a 74% reduction of the overall weight and a 60% reduction of the total volume, compared to the SAPIEN 3 Ultra packaging system.

As shown in the figure below, the SAPIEN 3 Ultra packaging system consisted of a jar containing the product along with a preservative solution in a shelf carton. Gel packs along with foam are used to protect and preserve the product from environmental hazards.

The new SAPIEN 3 Ultra RESILIA packaging consists of a thermoformed tray and valve clamshell sealed with a lid. The sealed tray is placed into a barrier pouch for environmental protection, which is contained within a shelf carton and shipper box. The new packaging solution eliminates the need for polystyrene foam and significantly reduces the amount of packaging waste at the hospital. With 60% less volume, the new packaging option increases efficiency in our supply chain, specifically for transportation, warehouse and hospital storage.

The new SAPIEN 3 Ultra RESLIA packaging is a testament to Edwards’ continuous investment in innovation that reduces the environmental burden and provides an end-to-end design solution.

Highlight story

FDA Approval for MITRIS RESILIA Valve

In March 2022, we announced that our MITRIS RESILIA valve received approval from the FDA for mitral valve replacement surgeries. The MITRIS RESILIA valve is a tissue valve replacement specifically designed for the heart's mitral position. By using our RESILIA tissue anti-calcification technology in this valve, the device can be stored under dry packaging conditions. The MITRIS RESILIA valve is built on the trusted Carpentier-Edwards PERIMOUNT platform, which in 2021 celebrated 40 years of innovative valve replacements for patients. The MITRIS RESILIA valve also received regulatory approval in Japan, Canada, and several other countries.

Important Risk Information

Edwards SAPIEN 3, Edwards SAPIEN 3 Ultra, and Edwards SAPIEN 3 Ultra RESILIA Transcatheter Heart Valve System
Indications:

The Edwards SAPIEN 3, SAPIEN 3 Ultra and SAPIEN 3 Ultra RESILIA Transcatheter Heart Valve system is indicated for relief of aortic stenosis in patients with symptomatic heart disease due to severe native calcific aortic stenosis who are judged by a Heart Team, including a cardiac surgeon, to be appropriate for the transcatheter heart valve replacement therapy.

The Edwards SAPIEN 3, SAPIEN 3 Ultra and SAPIEN 3 Ultra RESILIA Transcatheter Heart Valve system is indicated for patients with symptomatic heart disease due to failing (stenosed, insufficient, or combined) of a surgical or transcatheter bioprosthetic aortic valve, a surgical bioprosthetic mitral valve, or a native mitral valve with an annuloplasty ring who are judged by a Heart Team, including a cardiac surgeon, to be at high or greater risk for open surgical therapy (i.e., predicted risk of surgical mortality ≥ 8% at 30 days, based on the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) risk score and other clinical co-morbidities unmeasured by the STS risk calculator).

Contraindications (Who should not use):

The Edwards SAPIEN 3, Edwards SAPIEN 3 Ultra and SAPIEN 3 Ultra RESILIA Transcatheter Heart Valve System should not be used in patients who:

Warnings: Precautions:

The long-term durability of the Edwards SAPIEN 3 Ultra, SAPIEN 3 Ultra RESILIA and SAPIEN 3 transcatheter heart valves are not known at this time. Regular medical follow-up is recommended to evaluate how well a patient’s heart valve is performing. Limited clinical data are available for transcatheter aortic valve replacement in patients who are born with an aortic heart valve that has only two leaflets and who are determined to be at low risk for open heart surgery. A patient’s anatomical characteristics should be considered by their physicians when using the valve in this patient population. In addition, patient age should be considered as long-term durability of the valve has not been established. Patients who need a dental procedure should talk to their doctor about risk of infection and needing antibiotics. Patients should be treated post-procedure for heart infection as a precaution.

The safety and effectiveness of the transcatheter heart valves are also not known for patients who have:

Potential risks associated with the procedure include: Additional potential risks specifically associated with the use of the heart valves include:
CAUTION: Federal (United States) law restricts these devices to sale by or on the order of a physician.

Important Risk Information

The Edwards SAPIEN 3 Transcatheter Heart Valve System With The Edwards Commander Delivery System - Important Risk Information for Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Therapy
Indications:

The Edwards SAPIEN 3 transcatheter heart valve (THV) system with Edwards Commander delivery system is indicated for use in the management of pediatric and adult patients who have a clinical indication for intervention on a dysfunctional right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) conduit or surgical bioprosthetic valve in the pulmonic position with ≥ moderate regurgitation and/or a mean RVOT gradient of ≥ 35 mmHg.

Contraindications (Who should not use):

The Edwards SAPIEN 3 transcatheter heart valve and delivery system cannot be used in patients who:

Warnings: Precautions:

How long the Edwards SAPIEN 3 tissue valve will last depends on many patient factors and medical conditions. Follow all care instructions to ensure the best possible results. The Edwards SAPIEN 3 pulmonic valve has been tested in a laboratory to mimic 5 years of use without failure. Regular follow-ups will help your doctor know how your valve is working.

Potential risks associated with the procedure include:

Death; stroke; risks to the lungs including: difficulty breathing, buildup of fluid in or around the lungs, collapsed lung, loss of lung volume; risks to the heart including: injury to the heart, arteries, heart muscle or valves including the pulmonary RVOT that may require intervention, heart attack, heart failure or heart does not pump properly, irregular heartbeat that may result in a need for a permanent pacemaker, too much fluid around the heart, sudden loss of heart function, disruption or blockage of blood flow through the heart, infection of the heart, injury to your tricuspid valve, additional heart surgery; dislodgement of calcified material, air embolism (air bubbles in the blood vessels), blood clots, or pieces of the device; injury to blood vessels; valve movement after deployment requiring reintervention; transcatheter valve not working properly; life-threatening infection; poor kidney function or failure; abnormal connection between an artery and vein; nerve injury; limited blood supply; severe bleeding requiring transfusion; decrease in red blood cells including at a fast rate; formation of a blood clot; abnormal lab values; high or low blood pressure; allergic reaction to anesthesia or dye; fainting; pain; weakness or inability to exercise; swelling; chest pain; fever

CAUTION: Federal law (USA) restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician

Important Risk Information

MITRIS RESILIA Mitral Valve
Indications:

For use in replacement of native or prosthetic mitral heart valves.

Contraindications:

There are no known contraindications with the use of the MITRIS RESILIA mitral valve.

Complications and Side Effects:

Thromboembolism, valve thrombosis, hemorrhage, hemolysis, regurgitation, endocarditis, structural valve deterioration, nonstructural dysfunction, stenosis, arrhythmia, transient ischemic attack/stroke, congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, ventricular perforation by stent posts, any of which could lead to reoperation, explantation, permanent disability, and death.

CAUTION: Federal (USA) law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician. See Instructions for Use for full prescribing information.

Important Risk Information

Edwards PASCAL Precision Transcatheter Valve Repair System
Who can be treated:

The PASCAL Precision transcatheter valve repair system (the PASCAL Precision system) is approved for treating patients with abnormality of the mitral valve leaflets and/or its structure, which may be referred to as Degenerative Mitral Regurgitation or Primary Mitral Regurgitation. Patients should work with their doctor and a specialized Heart Team, which should include a cardiac surgeon experienced in mitral valve surgery and a cardiologist experienced in mitral valve disease, to confirm their surgical risk. The specialized Heart Team will determine if the patient is a suitable candidate for the PASCAL procedure.

Who should not use:

The PASCAL Precision system should not be used in patients who:

Warnings: Precautions:
Precautions Prior to Use Precautions After Use Potential Risks
The most serious risks associated with the procedure are: Additional potential risks include:
CAUTION: Federal (United States) law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.

Important Risk Information

HemoSphere Monitor
CAUTION: Federal (USA) law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician. See instructions for use for full prescribing information.

Edwards, Edwards Lifesciences, the stylized E logo, Carpentier-Edwards, Carpentier-Edwards PERIMOUNT, Commander, Edwards Commander, Edwards SAPIEN, Edwards SAPIEN 3, Edwards SAPIEN 3 Ultra, HemoSphere, Life is Now, MITRIS, MITRIS RESILIA, NewHeartValve.com, PASCAL, PASCAL Precision, PERI, PERIMOUNT, Reach for the Heart, RESILIA, SAPIEN, SAPIEN 3, SAPIEN 3 Ultra, and SAPIEN 3 Ultra RESILIA are trademarks or service marks of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation or its affiliates. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

© 2023 Edwards Lifesciences Corporation. All rights reserved