ATRC

Atricure, Inc.

A maker of surgical tools for treating atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat, this Ohio company's devices include the AtriClip, a clamp that seals a small heart pouch to cut stroke risk, plus ablation systems and cryo probes that numb nerves to ease post-surgery pain. Founded in 2000 by engineer Michael Hooven, the company grew out of his drive to fill a gap in treating serious heart-rhythm problems. Its name blends "atria"—the heart's upper chambers where the condition starts—with "cure."