TMU professor steers a novel cardiovascular device to market
Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science professor Ali Tavallaei steers his novel CathPilot catheter to market
A patented novel biomedical device created by a Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) researcher outmanoeuvres conventional catheters and is poised to significantly improve this form of cardiovascular disease treatment.
Cardiovascular disease, which can decrease blood flow to the heart and other organs due to plaque build-up in arteries, is often treated using minimally invasive catheter-based procedures. However, many available catheters have technical limitations in device steering, visualization and support.
The unique CathPilot catheter, developed by TMU biomedical engineering professor and Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Systems and Devices for Cardiovascular Interventions Ali Tavallaei, addresses these challenges through its novel design and use of innovative technology.
Created in partnership with Sunnybrook Hospital, the CathPilot offers a promising advancement in minimally invasive cardiovascular interventions through improved navigation and visualization. It uses an advanced steering and tracking system and provides 3D visualization relative to the patient’s anatomy, while standard catheters rely on 2D X-ray projection imaging. During extensive peer-reviewed testing, the CathPilot exhibited a significantly larger reachable workspace and outperformed conventional steerable and non-steerable catheters in all areas.
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The CathPilot catheter utilizes a self-expandable frame that can be contracted or deployed as needed to travel through narrow vessels while allowing precise and reliable control of the device tip.
“The success of these interventions hinges on the ability of the device to travel across the plaque successfully,” said Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science professor Tavallaei. “The CathPilot will provide an inexpensive solution that will shorten procedure times and vastly improve patient outcomes.”
With support from a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Project Grant, professor Tavallaei and his team will work with industry partner Magellan Biomedical Inc. to finalize the CathPilot design and perform preclinical and clinical usability studies in preparation for its commercialization on a global scale.
Learn more about the CIHR Project Grant Spring 2024 results (external link, opens in new window) .
Learn more about professor Tavallaei’s research. (external link)
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