Medtronic plc announced a distribution agreement with Merit Medical Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: MMSI) to offer the FDA-cleared ViaVerte basivertebral nerve ablation system for treating chronic vertebrogenic lower back pain.

The ViaVerte system is a minimally invasive, implant-free device that uses a physician-controlled steerable mechanism for precise basivertebral nerve targeting. According to the companies, it is the first basivertebral nerve ablation system with this steerable capability. The system will be available later this year as a same-day outpatient procedure.

Basivertebral nerve ablation is a therapy option for patients with chronic low-back pain caused by damaged vertebral endplates. The American Chronic Pain Association estimates that one in three Americans suffer from chronic pain.

"Adding ViaVerte Basivertebral Nerve Ablation expands our world-leading pain interventions portfolio and gives patients and their physicians another meaningful option for lasting relief," said Paolo Di Vincenzo, president of Medtronic Neuromodulation.

Merit Medical and Medtronic have an existing business relationship. Merit currently supplies Medtronic's Kyphon Xpander Inflation Syringes used in balloon kyphoplasty procedures and Kyphon KyphoFlex unipedicular steerable balloon catheter for treating vertebral compression fractures.

"We are thrilled to expand our ongoing business relationship with Medtronic by providing Merit's proprietary articulating technology," said Michael Blackham, executive vice president of Global OEM at Merit Medical Systems.

The agreement expands Medtronic's pain therapy portfolio, which includes spinal cord stimulation, vertebral augmentation, nerve ablation, bone tumor ablation, and targeted drug delivery.

Merit Medical Systems, founded in 1987, develops and manufactures medical devices used in interventional, diagnostic, and therapeutic procedures. The company employs approximately 7,600 people worldwide.