UPDATE 1-Medtronic to study stent in erectile dysfunction

CHICAGO, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Medical device maker Medtronic Inc (MDT.N) on Tuesday said it has begun a feasibility study for a treatment for erectile dysfunction that uses a specially designed drug-eluting stent.

The study, called Zen, is expected to enroll 50 subjects at up to 10 U.S. medical centers over the next year.

"The link between erectile dysfunction and coronary artery disease has been well established. Based on this evidence, we are investigating the use of stents in pelvic arteries to determine whether it may provide a new treatment approach and enable better response to drug therapies," Dr. Jason Rogers, director of interventional cardiology at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento and a lead investigator for the study, said in a statement.

The study is intended for men who have not responded well to PDE5 inhibitors such as Viagra, Cialis and Levitra.

The study will evaluate the safety and improved erectile function of pelvic artery stenting. Results are expected in 2011. (Reporting by Susan Kelly; Editing Bernard Orr)