David Rott, MD, Heart Institute, Hadassah University Hospital.
Background
Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is the mechanical alteration of a narrowed or totally obstructed vascular lumen, generally caused by atherosclerosis. During PTCA procedures, there is a need to administer to the patient’s coronary artery system contrast media and/or drugs. To achieve continuous release, these substances are currently administered systemically through the venous system; otherwise, they are injected in pulses through a catheter directly to the coronary artery system. As a result, drugs have local and limited effect on the treated area, and contrast media provide short snapshots of the coronary artery system.
The Need for Direct and Continuous Delivery of Drugs and Contrast Media to the Coronary Arteries
Today, the use of guiding catheters does not allow for continuous release of drugs in order to maintain the necessary therapeutic effect during the procedure. Such practice entails two inherent disadvantages:
- The administration of contrast media and drugs by pulses provides limited and insufficient effect of the therapeutic substances as well as limited visualizations during the procedure.
- Systemic delivery of contrast media and drugs causes unnecessary exposure throughout the patient’s body to these substances, although they are required only in the coronary artery system.
The proposed improved guiding catheter will allow for the release of the drugs and/or contrast agents directly to the coronary artery in a uniform dosage and measurements. This will allow for a more effective treatment with smaller dosages and minimal side effects to the patient.
Market
In 2005, an estimated 1,089,000 percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures were performed in the US alone, with market cap estimated at over $3 billion. This booming market is expected to continue and grow, driven by innovative technologies such as drug eluting stents and novel delivery systems.
The Innovation
The new PTCA set will be equipped with an additional inner lumen that runs along the full length of the main lumen. This lumen allows continuous intra-coronary infusion of medications, e.g., Nitroglycerin, Thrombolytic agents, IIb and IIIa inhibitors, anti-arrhythmic medications etc. during the procedure without interrupting the procedure-carried out using the main lumen.
R&D Program
The investigators completed the first prototype for the proposed Virtual Reality System including:
- Prototype build-up
- Pre-clinical trials
Contact
Stuart Bernstein
Business Development, Medical Devices
Tel: +972-2-6777906
Email: stuart@hadasit.co.il
