FastWave’s Sola IVL device completes first-in-human procedures as the company builds a two-pronged approach to vascular calcification.
Treating calcified coronary arteries remains one of the more technically demanding tasks in cardiovascular medicine. As cardiovascular disease continues to be the leading cause of death worldwide – and as populations age and comorbidities become more complex – the need for devices that can safely and efficiently navigate fragile anatomy continues to grow. FastWave Medical, a Minneapolis-based company operating in the intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) space, has announced the successful completion of its first-in-human (FIH) cases using Sola – a laser-based system designed for coronary application.
Sola joins FastWave’s existing peripheral IVL platform, Artero, and signals a commitment to modular yet scalable technologies aimed at different vascular territories. The new device deploys controlled 360-degree laser pulses via a rupture-resistant balloon catheter – a design intended to improve both deliverability and energy transmission without complicating procedural workflow. While these early feasibility cases mark just the beginning of Sola’s clinical journey, they offer an early glimpse into the system’s potential role in managing one of the more persistent contributors to cardiovascular aging.
Longevity.Technology: Coronary calcification is a defining challenge of cardiovascular aging – one that demands smarter tools rather than simply stronger ones. FastWave’s laser IVL platform promises a more targeted approach, delivering consistent 360-degree energy while preserving procedural simplicity – a rare combination in interventional cardiology. What’s especially compelling is the early signal that Sola may reduce ischemic time, a critical factor in frail or high-risk patients where every second matters. This isn’t just another device iteration – it’s a platform designed for scalability and adaptability across vascular territories. If these initial results hold up through larger trials, FastWave’s technology could play a foundational role in how we intervene earlier and more precisely in the vascular aging process. To find out more, we sat down with Scott Nelson, FastWave’s co-founder and CEO.
A platform tailored to vascular aging
For older adults with calcified arteries, the clinical stakes are high and the anatomical challenges significant – especially when reduced cardiac reserve limits the time and tools available to intervene safely. FastWave’s co-founder and CEO Scott Nelson believes this is where Sola offers a new pathway.
“Sola was engineered to navigate the tortuous, calcified vessels we see in elderly patients,” Nelson explains. “Its flexible, low-profile catheter and 360-degree energy delivery allow us to treat these cases with more control and much less trauma.”
The system uses a rupture-resistant balloon and a translating laser emitter, which can be moved along the length of the artery to deliver treatment without repeated inflations. “That’s an important difference,” Nelson says. “Traditional IVL catheters often rely on multiple fixed emitters, which require you to reposition the balloon again and again. With Sola, we can treat longer segments of disease more efficiently and with less vessel irritation.”
Designing for frailty and procedural efficiency
Sola operates at a pulse frequency of 5Hz – five times faster than legacy IVL platforms – reducing the duration the heart is under stress. “That higher speed allows us to complete therapy more quickly, which is critical when the patient has limited cardiac output,” Nelson explains.
The design also avoids the need for high-pressure balloon inflation or atherectomy. The system uses sonic pressure waves generated by laser energy to modify calcified plaque – a strategy intended to be more targeted and less traumatic than conventional tools, particularly in complex or fragile anatomy.
Sola’s approach not only improves procedural safety but may also contribute to better long-term outcomes. In calcified vessels, poor stent expansion can lead to restenosis or thrombosis – complications that are particularly dangerous in older patients. “By creating a more uniform modification of calcium, Sola enables optimal stent placement,” he said.
Improving outcomes with earlier, safer intervention
While Sola is currently being used in patients with complex, heavily calcified disease, Nelson sees potential for broader application – particularly as cardiovascular care shifts toward earlier, preventive strategies.
“Because Sola delivers targeted therapy with minimal vessel trauma, it offers a safer option for intervening earlier in the disease process — before calcified plaques become too difficult to treat,” he adds. This, he believes, fits well with a longevity-focused approach to healthspan: stabilising plaque before it causes significant obstruction or cardiac events, and preserving the structural integrity of the artery for future interventions if needed.
The goal, Nelson notes, is not just to address the blockage, but to leave the vessel in a condition that preserves long-term cardiovascular function – particularly for patients who may not tolerate repeat procedures.
Supporting recovery, mobility and healthspan
For older patients, the benefits of a shorter, less traumatic procedure extend far beyond the cath lab. Avoiding bypass surgery can mean a significantly quicker return to normal activity – a meaningful shift for preserving independence, mobility and long-term cardiovascular function in older patients.
Nelson also believes Sola could have a meaningful role in extending healthspan by improving how calcified coronary disease is managed. “Sola could play a significant role in extending healthspan by transforming the treatment of calcified coronary disease through three key mechanisms: enabling less invasive procedures with faster recovery, reducing immediate procedural complications, and improving long-term cardiovascular outcomes.”
More than a pipe dream
Does Nelson see a future where coronary IVL systems like Sola could be integrated into earlier-stage intervention or prevention strategies as part of a longevity-focused healthcare model?
“It’s one of the exciting possibilities with next-generation IVL technologies,” he says. “While lifestyle changes and medication will always be the first line of defense, Sola could play a growing role in proactive cardiovascular care. It’s quickly being thought of as more of a frontline interventional therapy, thanks to its safety profile and ease of use.”
Article photographs courtesy of FastWave Medical
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