A blog about what is new (and old) in the world of active implantable medical devices

Category Archives: Heart Failure (CHF)

Implantable devices for the treatment of Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

Neuromodulation Startup NeuroTronik Raises $13.1M for Development of System for Treating Acute Heart Failure Syndrome

Posted on by Posted in Heart Failure (CHF), Neural Stimulation, NeuroTronik

NeuroTronik Neuromodulation www.implantable-device.comNeuroTronik, a recent spin-off from Synecor, a Chapel Hill business accelerator, announced that it has raised $13.1M for the development of a neuromodulation system intended for the treatment of acute heart failure syndrome.

Douglas Reed, a partner in the VC group backing NeuroTronik said that the device aims to shorten hospital stays and reduce the need of patients to return to the hospital a few weeks later.  According to Reed:

“It’s a way of stimulating the heart to increase the pumping effectiveness, the effectiveness of the contractions, so it improves cardiac function while the device is in place.”

 

St Jude Receives CE Mark for Quadra Assura MP™ Multipoint CRT-D

Posted on by Posted in Bradycardia, Cardiac Pacing, Cardioversion/Defibrillation, Heart Failure (CHF), St. Jude Medical, Tachycardia

SJM_QuadraAssuraMPSt. Jude Medical today announced CE Mark approval of its next-generation quadripolar device, the Quadra Assura MP™ cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D). The device features MultiPoint™ Pacing (MPP) technology that enables physicians to pace multiple locations on the left side of the heart. This gives the clinician more choices to best optimize cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) pacing to meet individual patient needs.

According to the press release:

The Quadra Assura MP CRT-D is designed to work with the Quartet™ Lead, which has four electrodes to offer maximum flexibility for different pacing configurations. The new MPP capability allows physicians to program simultaneous or sequential delivery of two left ventricular (LV) pulses per pacing cycle, rather than the standard single pacing pulse. The capability to deliver two LV pulses per cycle allows physicians to tailor CRT pacing for each patient, potentially leading to more effective outcomes compared to single site pacing, which may be particularly beneficial in patients not responding to traditional bi-ventricular pacing therapy.

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FDA Approves St. Jude’s Ellipse™ and SJM Assura™ Portfolio of ICDs and CRT-D Devices

Posted on by Posted in Cardiac Pacing, Cardioversion/Defibrillation, Heart Failure (CHF), St. Jude Medical, Tachycardia

St Jude Medical Assura Ellipse ICD CRT-D www.implantable-device.com David Prutchi PhD

St. Jude Medical announced FDA approval of its next-generation Ellipse™ and SJM Assura™ portfolio of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) and cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (CRT-Ds). The new devices are designed to lower the risk of lead abrasion and to ensure high-voltage therapy delivery.

According to the announcement:

The Ellipse and SJM Assura family of devices feature the DynamicTx™ Over-Current Detection Algorithm, which automatically adjusts shocking configurations to ensure the delivery of high-voltage therapy even if an electrical short in one portion of the system were to occur. In addition, the next-generation Ellipse and SJM Assura portfolio of implantable defibrillators have a low-friction coating on the device can, which has been demonstrated in testing to significantly reduce the friction between the device and leads. As such, the low-friction coating provides an extra layer of insulation and is designed to reduce the risk for lead-to-can abrasion, the most common type of lead insulation failure in the industry.

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Sorin Receives FDA Approval for SMARTVIEW™ Remote Monitoring Solution

Posted on by Posted in Bradycardia, Cardiac Pacing, Cardioversion/Defibrillation, Heart Failure (CHF), Sorin, Tachycardia

Sorin Paradym Smartview www.implantable-device.com David Prutchi PhD

Sorin today announced it received FDA approval for and is beginning the U.S. launch of the SMARTVIEW™ remote monitoring solution for patients with CRM devices.  From the press release:

“Using the secure SMARTVIEW remote monitoring solution, physicians and nurses following patients with a Sorin PARADYMTM RF device can access valuable cardiac data and alert messages from the device while the patient is at home. Sorin launched the PARADYMTM RF VR and DR implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT-D) devices in the United States in May 2012.

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Biotronik Receives FDA Approval for Ilesto 7 ICD/CRT-D Series

Posted on by Posted in Biotronik, Bradycardia, Cardiac Pacing, Cardioversion/Defibrillation, Heart Failure (CHF), Tachycardia

Biotronik Ilesto ICD CRTD David Prutchi PhD www.implantable-device.comBiotronik announced that FDA granted approval for its Ilesto 7 implantable cardioverter-defibrillator/cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (ICD/CRT-D) series. According to the press release:

“BIOTRONIK lives up to its reputation for excellence in design and manufacturing with the introduction of the Ilesto family, and the new Ilesto DX device. Physicians depend on complete and timely information, and Ilesto DX with BIOTRONIK Home Monitoring® certainly delivers. With this device, physicians can receive atrial information to ensure diagnostic accuracy and identify previously undetected atrial fibrillation. They also receive peace of mind that there is less risk of complications due to the single lead,” said Paul Woodstock, executive vice president of sales and marketing at BIOTRONIK, Inc., USA. “Ilesto’s smaller footprint will be more comfortable as well, which may present a win-win solution for patients and physicians alike.”

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Medtronic Announces FDA Approval of Next-Generation CRT-D and ICD IPG Families

Posted on by Posted in Bradycardia, Cardiac Pacing, Cardioversion/Defibrillation, Heart Failure (CHF), Medtronic, Tachycardia

Medtronic Evera ICD www.implantable-device.com David Prutchi PhD

Medtronic announced today the FDA approval of its new Viva® portfolio of cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillation (CRT-D) devices, and the Evera® portfolio of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD).  According to the press release:

“The Viva CRT-D significantly improves response rate to the therapy for many indicated heart failure patients, with a demonstrated 21 percent reduction in overall heart failure hospitalizations within the first year after implant as compared to historical CRT trials. According to economic analyses presented at ISPOR Europe, with this device both payers and hospital providers will experience reductions in overall healthcare costs as compared to CRT-D devices with traditional programming.

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St. Jude Launches Allure Quadra™ CRT-P IPG with Quadripolar Lead Technology

Posted on by Posted in Bradycardia, Cardiac Pacing, Heart Failure (CHF), St. Jude Medical

St. Jude Launches Allure Quadra™ CRT-P IPG with Quadripolar Lead TechnologySt. Jude Medical today announced CE Mark approval and European launch of its Allure Quadra™ Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Pacemaker (CRT-P), which brings the quadripolar lead technology to the pacemaker market for the first time.  According to the press release:

“Quadripolar leads allow for increased implant efficiencies, which clinical data indicates can result in fewer surgical revisions. The Allure family of devices also offer enhanced heart failure (HF) diagnostics, including CorVue™ Impedance Monitoring, for improved patient management.

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Impulse Dynamics Launches CE-Marked OPTIMIZER IVs System for the Treatment of Heart Failure

Posted on by Posted in Cardiac Stimulation (other), Dr. Shlomo Ben-Haim (Medinvest), Heart Failure (CHF), Impulse Dynamics, My Portfolio

Impulse Dynamics OPTIMIZER IVs IPG for treatment of heart failure

Impulse Dynamics (yes, the company for which I work) launched its new, CE-marked OPTIMIZER™ IVs implantable device for the treatment of heart failure at the 79th Annual Meeting of the German Cardiac Society (Mannheim, Germany, 3–6 April 2013).

The OPTIMIZER™ IVs Implantable Pulse Generator (IPG) is a programmable telemetric device intended to treat moderate to severe heart failure resulting from left ventricular dysfunction by monitoring intrinsic cardiac electrical activity and delivering Cardiac Contractility Modulation (CCM) signals during the ventricular absolute refractory period.  These electrical signals are intended to influence myocardial properties in patients, thereby reducing their symptoms and improving quality of life and exercise tolerance.

The OPTIMIZER™ IVs IPG was designed to deliver CCM signals during the ventricular absolute refractory period in synchrony with locally-sensed electrical activity. The microprocessor controlled implantable device comprises intracardiac electrogram sensing circuits, control logic, communications circuitry, and circuitry to generate the CCM signals.  Electrogram signals are detected from and CCM signals are delivered to the heart using standard chronically-implantable bipolar pacing leads.  The implant procedure is similar to implantation procedures for other cardiac rhythm management devices.

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Sorin Receives Conditional FDA IDE Approval to Study its Paradym CRT-D IPG and SonRtip Hemodynamic Sensor Lead

Posted on by Posted in Bradycardia, Cardiac Pacing, Cardioversion/Defibrillation, Heart Failure (CHF), Sorin, Tachycardia

Sorin Paradym CRT-D David Prutchi PhD www.implantable-device.comSorin announced it received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conditional approval for its Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) application and clinical trial protocol for RESPOND CRT. The trial will study the safety and effectiveness of the innovative SonR cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) optimization system in patients with advanced heart failure. RESPOND CRT is a multi-center, randomized, two-arm, double-blinded, prospective trial that will enroll more than 1,000 patients in the United States and other geographies.

The SonR optimization system is comprised of the SonR hemodynamic sensor embedded in the SonRtip atrial pacing lead and the PARADYM RF SonR CRT-D device, which includes a unique algorithm to automatically optimize the patient’s atrioventricular (AV) delay and interventricular (VV) delay timing. While there are several CRT systems on the market, studies have shown that approximately one-third of patients with advanced heart failure do not effectively respond to CRT. The SonR system is the first and only CRT hemodynamic sensor based system designed to automatically adjust on a weekly basis. The timing of electrical impulses delivered to the heart is based on the patient’s heart activity and need – with the goal of improving the patient’s response to CRT. Typically this device re-programming is done manually in the clinic using echocardiography.

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Biotronik’s Iforia DF4 ICD/CRT-D CE-Approved as Compatible with MRI

Posted on by Posted in Biotronik, Cardiac Pacing, Cardioversion/Defibrillation, Heart Failure (CHF), MRI-safe, Tachycardia

Iforia MRI-compatible ICD/CRT CRT-D David Prutchi PhD www.implantable-device.comBiotronik announced that it had received CE-approval for the world’s first DF4 ICD/CRT-D series approved for MRI. In addition, this series contains one of the world’s smallest ICDs– the Iforia single chamber ICD.

Aside from featuring ProMRI®technology, which allows patients to undergo potentially life saving MRI scans, Iforia also includes the industry standard DF4 connector system, which is designed to simplify and shorten the implantation procedure. The DF4 connector combines the traditional three connectors into one, allowing for a more convenient implantation procedure without compromising safety.

Click here for the press release.

CircuLite Receives Approval to Start IDE Trial of its SYNERGY Circulatory Support System

Posted on by Posted in Circulatory Support, CircuLite, Heart Failure (CHF)

CircuLite Vascular Support Pump www.implantable-device.com David Prutchi PhDThe SYNERGY Circulatory Support System is a micro-blood pump that provides up to 4.25 liters of blood per minute and reduces the heart’s workload, while improving blood flow to vital organs. The system is surgically implanted using a mini-thoracotomy and the micro-pump is placed in a pacemaker-like pocket. The system’s less invasive procedure is intended to reduce the surgical risks associated with cardiopulmonary bypass support. In addition, SYNERGY is intended to reduce rehospitalizations associated with heart failure symptoms. SYNERGY is designed and manufactured in Aachen, Germany.

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Boston Scientific Defibrillators Receive CE Mark for 10-Year Longevity Projections

Posted on by Posted in AIMD Business, Boston Scientific, Bradycardia, Cardiac Pacing, Cardioversion/Defibrillation, Heart Failure (CHF), Power Sources, Tachycardia

 

Boston Scientific Incepta ICD with DF-4 connector

Image Credit: Boston Scientific

Boston Scientific has received CE Mark approval for increased longevity projections for the INCEPTA™, ENERGEN™, PUNCTUA™, COGNIS® and TELIGEN® implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) and cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (CRT-Ds). The longevity projections are based on data submitted to the European authorities and vary for each device dependent on the model type and settings.

Projected device longevity exceeds 10 years for some models, approaches eight years for its CRT-D devices, and according to the press release is up to double that of comparable competitive device models. The company supports these devices with warranties of up to 10 years:

Warranties: INCEPTA and ENERGEN VR ICD: 10 years; INCEPTA and ENERGEN DR ICD: eight years; PUNCTUA and TELIGEN ICD: seven years; INCEPTA and ENERGEN CRT-D: six years; and PUNCTUA & COGNIS CRT-D: five years.

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Boston Scientific Receives CE Mark for RELIANCE® 4-FRONT™ Defibrillation Lead

Posted on by Posted in Boston Scientific, Bradycardia, Cardiac Pacing, Cardioversion/Defibrillation, Heart Failure (CHF), Tachycardia
Boston Scientific ENDOTAK RELIANCE® 4-SITE™ Defibrillation Lead www.implantable-device.com David Prutchi, Ph.D.

Image Credit: Boston Scientific

Boston Scientific has received regulatory approval to market the RELIANCE® 4-FRONT™ lead, its next generation implantable defibrillation lead now available in Europe and Asia.   According to the press release, “The RELIANCE 4-FRONT lead is built upon the demonstrated performance and reliability of the RELIANCE lead platform with design enhancements intended to simplify the implant procedure. With more than 350,000 implants worldwide, RELIANCE leads have demonstrated a 98.9 percent survival probability at 8 years.

“Leveraging the RELIANCE platform, we made a series of targeted design enhancements with RELIANCE 4-FRONT to improve and simplify implantation,” said Kenneth Stein, M.D., chief medical officer of Boston Scientific’s Cardiac Rhythm Management Group. “RELIANCE 4-FRONT represents our continued dedication to product innovation to meet the needs of patients and physicians.”

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FDA Approves St. Jude’s Assura™ ICDs That Reduce Inappropriate Shocks

Posted on by Posted in Cardioversion/Defibrillation, Heart Failure (CHF), St. Jude Medical, Tachycardia
St Jude Medical's Assura series of implantable defibrillators and CRT-Ds www.implantable-device.com David Prutchi, Ph.D.

Image Credit: St. Jude Medical

St. Jude Medical today announced FDA approval of its Assura™ portfolio of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) and cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (CRT-Ds).The new implantable defibrillators feature SecureSense™ RV Lead Noise Discrimination, an algorithm that expands the St. Jude Medical ShockGuard® Technology and offers advanced sensing options designed to reduce the incidence of inappropriate shocks for patients with these devices.

According to St. Jude’s announcement:

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St. Jude Warns Physicians of Potential Problem with QuickSite and QuickFlex LV CRT Leads

Posted on by Posted in Cardiac Pacing, Heart Failure (CHF), St. Jude Medical
St Jude QuickFlex lead

Image Credit: St. Jude Medical

St. Jude announced it is proactively informing physicians about visual observations of externalized conductors on the silicone end of QuickSite® and QuickFlex® Left-Ventricular Leads, used to connect Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy devices to the heart.

The announcement noted that there have been no reports of patient injury or loss of therapy due to externalized conductors in these leads, but as a conservative measure, St. Jude Medical is communicating with physicians about the incidence rate so they have the most updated lead performance information with which to make important patient care decisions.

According to the announcement, “St. Jude Medical has confirmed 39 cases of externalized conductors, out of 171,000 QuickSite and QuickFlex leads sold worldwide, resulting in a current reported incidence rate of 0.023 percent, or 2.3 in 10,000. Because these leads continue to function normally, the company expects that this rate is under-reported. Based on an analysis of leads returned to the company and recent fluoroscopic images of implanted leads still in clinical use, St. Jude Medical estimates that 3 to 4 percent of QuickSite and QuickFlex leads may exhibit externalized conductors. As a result of this estimated rate, the company felt it was prudent to communicate with physicians about the externalized conductors at this time.”

St. Jude also announced they will no longer sell these lead models.