MiCardia Corp.

Article preview from Start Up- January 1, 2011

Patients requiring mitral valve repair of the heart to reduce recurrent leakage of blood or residual regurgitation after initial implant can now avoid going under the knife for a second time. MiCardia's Dynaplasty platform has been designed to change the shape of an implantable medical device in response to fluctuations in anatomical conditions. For mitral valve repair, MiCardia's shape-memory nitinol device is similar to a standard annuloplasty ring, but when activated, pulls the two leaflets together in such a fashion as to significantly minimize regurgitation.

MiCardia Corp.

Article preview from Start Up- January 1, 2011

Patients requiring mitral valve repair of the heart to reduce recurrent leakage of blood or residual regurgitation after initial implant can now be effectively treated without having to go under the knife for a second time. MiCardia Corp. has designed its Dynaplasty platform to change the shape of an implantable medical device in response to fluctuations in anatomical conditions. For mitral valve repair, MiCardia's shape-memory nitinol (nickel titanium) device is similar to a standard annuloplasty ring, but when activated, it pulls the two leaflets together in such a fashion as to significantly minimize regurgitation. The company employs its Dynaplasty technology to address both the surgical and transcatheter markets.

Today, only 20% of diagnosed mitral valve disease patients are treated with either a repair or replacement of their heart valve. The valve repair option represents about 35,000 cases annually in the US and another roughly 17,000 cases in Europe, adding up to a combined yearly monetary opportunity of about $120 million. This compares to the much larger transcatheter market, which is estimated to be in the range of $1 billion to $2 billion annually because it can address the 80% of patients currently not treated.

MiCardia's enCor and enCorSQ mitral valve repair systems mend a regurgitant mitral valve with standard surgical implant techniques. However, the shape of the enCor can only be changed immediately after surgery while in the operating room to a reduced ring size to decrease the amount of residual regurgitation. The second-generation enCorSQ can be activated either at time of surgery or at a later date in a less-invasive manner, typically six months to one year after initial implanting since this is the time frame where 15 to 20% of patients experience significant recurrent mitral valve regurgitation.

 Purchase this article online or get it FREE when you subscribe to Start Up

Elsevier Business Intelligence announces the publication of a new Special Report "Bigger, Tougher,Faster"- Preparing for the New FDA. When the inspector comes calling ... will you be ready?


This 16-page report originally published in "The Silver Sheet". Learn more... 
About Start Up

No publication reviews leading edge companies and technology better than START-UP. Each issue of START-UP profiles the most important new product companies, identifies the hottest technology areas, reviews funds flowing into private companies and investment trends, and reports on university tech transfer licensing. Industries covered: pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical equipment & devices, and in vitro diagnostics.

Plus:
To find out about more about more about Elsevier Business Intelligence's medical device publications and databases, multi-user access and/or advertising with Medical Devices Today, please contact Kristy Kennedy at (480) 985 9512