Advancing Structural Heart Procedures Utilizing 3D Shape Sensing Technology
Imagine a tool that allows physicians to access in-depth knowledge of a patient’s individualized biological template when planning and executing a minimally invasive operation. The Shape Sensing Company’s technology lessens the procedural time of endovascular aortic repairs (EVAR) and other complex structural heart procedures such as transcatheter mitral valve replacement and repair (TMVR) and transcatheter tricuspid valve repair (TTVR). Revolutionizing surgical navigation and interventional medicine in more ways than one, The Shape Sensing Company is changing the future of complex cardiovascular procedures like never before.
To illustrate how pressing of an issue structural heart disease in the U.S. is today, research done by Methodist DeBakey Cardiovascular Journal in 2017 found more than 1 in 8 people aged 75 and older have moderate or severe aortic stenosis and predicted between 1 and 6 million people have moderate or severe tricuspid regurgitation [1]. Today, we are looking into how 3D fiber optic shape sensing technology opens the door to a new and more comprehensive understanding of the patient. Specifically, patients undergoing structural heart operations.
Today, we are looking into how 3D fiber optic shape sensing technology opens the door to a new and more comprehensive understanding of the patient. Specifically, patients undergoing structural heart operations. Eliminating errors and minimizing procedure time due to a lack of visualization in structural heart procedures is the competitive advantage for the devices of the future which will have integrated 3D fiber optic shape sensing technology.
When a patient is assessed for a structural heart procedure, physicians are unable to fully comprehend the unique elements of a patient’s anatomy. Today, doctors and practitioners rely primarily on feel, intuition and on their understanding of the cardiovascular anatomy as a whole.
While current methods surrounding cardiovascular procedures have served physicians for years, The Shape Sensing Company believes that there is a better way to serve the patient, and created an innovative solution to support this thesis. Not only is The Shape Sensing Company’s technology minimally invasive, patient-friendly and cost effective, the technology directly addresses procedures which treat structural heart diseases. Aging related structural heart diseases such as abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and heart valve disease are bound to increase with an aging society [2], further stressing the need for effective and innovative technology.
AAA refers to individuals who have an aortic diameter 1.5x the normal diameter. It occurs when the elastic tissue degenerates, and the vascular smooth muscle depletes in the arterial media. It typically affects those who are 60+ years old, male, have a family history of AAA, and are smokers. EVAR is the minimally invasive approach to treating AAA and is an alternative to open surgery. Despite being minimally invasive, major risks of the procedures include kidney damage, damage to surrounding blood vessels and organs, and more [3].
When integrated into existing medical devices such as complex catheters and guidewires, 3D fiber optic shape sensing provides critical, real-time feedback of bends, twists and device position and orientation for improved navigation within tortuous anatomies. The Shape Sensing Company’s technology provides 3D perspectives with 6 degrees of freedom which are not currently available using ultrasound or harmful radiative imaging alternatives. A 3D rendering of the device can be overlaid with advanced anatomical imaging software to enhance pre-procedural planning and procedural execution.
There is no other 3D fiber optics sensing technology that is as customizable, approachable, patient-focused and cutting edge. The Shape Sensing Company technology enhances procedures like TMVR, TTVR and EVAR while eliminating the harmful steps that have been engrained in these operations for decades. For example, the Shape Sensing Company has the potential to minimize risk for kidney, blood vessel and organ damage when treating AAA and other structural heart procedures.
With the ability to have a 3D perspective, physicians eliminate inaccuracy, excess time spent in the procedure and their reliance on fluoroscopy, ultimately benefiting the whole medical network involved. Proactively addressing structural heart procedures with technology that increases their effectiveness and efficiency is necessary considering our aging population. Learn more about the Shape Sensing technology here. Ready to start your journey with our 3D technology? Get in touch with us. Contact us online today.
[1]Little, Stephen H. “Structural Heart Interventions.” Methodist DeBakey cardiovascular journal vol. 13,3 (2017): 96-97. doi:10.14797/mdcj-13-3-96
[2] Umebayashi, Ryoko et al. “Abdominal aortic aneurysm in aged population.” Aging vol. 10,12 (2018): 3650-3651. doi:10.18632/aging.101702
