Founded and led by serial entrepreneur Amr Salahieh, Apama Medical is developing a system that aims to combine the advantages of two approaches for treating atrial fibrillation: point-by-point radiofrequency-based ablation and cryoballoon ablation.

The market for atrial fibrillation catheter ablation devices continues to grow even as the field wrestles with basic questions and as new study results may dampen enthusiasm for some technologies. Though strategics dominate this sector, innovators with new approaches to ablation and mapping hope to help resolve unknowns and take a piece of this vast and underpenetrated market.

Device companies raised 50% more in Q1 2016 than the previous quarter, reaching $1.8 billion and led by debt offerings; diagnostic imaging acquisitions, such as Toshiba Medical Systems, were abundant. Diagnostics financings double in Q1, mostly from venture funding, including strong showing from liquid biopsy companies.

Following two years of strong exits from biopharma and medtech investment, New Enterprise Associates raised over $3.1 billion for its 15th fund raising. The new pool of capital consists of $2.8 billion for a traditional venture fund – the fourth consecutive fund to top $2.5 billion – and a $350 million “Opportunity Fund” that will be co-invested with the new and prior fund in late-stage growth equity deals.