Design and technology consultancy Cambridge Design
Partnership today announces that it has completed a research project to
identify the future of medical technology to treat Atrial Fibrillation; a
common and dangerous Cardiac condition affecting millions of people across the
world. The report is designed to explore the emerging technologies that will
lead to innovation in this field, and provide an unparalleled resource for
organisations looking to develop treatments.
Atrial fibrillation is a type of cardiac arrhythmia
(irregular heart beat) that affects up to 7 million people in Western Europe
and the United States
alone. There has been a 66%[1]increase
in associated hospital admissions in the last 20 years and these figures are
projected to grow over the coming decades[2]. Drugs are used to treat the condition,
but are less than 50% effective and often have associated side effects. Atrial
Fibrillation is a major contributory factor to strokes, and if left untreated
can lead to congestive heart failure.
In the past, surgical treatments for Atrial Fibrillation
required open-heart access followed by full-thickness incisions through the
atrial walls. In recent times there has been a shift towards low-invasive
treatments using ablation catheters, with Radio Frequency (RF) ablation being
the leading method. With the annual cost per patient at around $3,600[3], the total cost of Atrial
Fibrillation in the EU is estimated to be about $15.7 billion.
Dr Keith Turner who achieved his PhD at Oxford University, UK,
has worked in medical device technology development for 20 years. He will
attending Heart Rhythm 2012 9th-12th May,
at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Centre in Boston, MA, USA. The Heart Rhythm Society is
the international leader in science, education and advocacy for cardiac
arrhythmia professionals and Keith will be talking to other industry
professionals about the future of AF Catheter technology.
Drawing on a cross-section of top industry and clinical
figures including leading electrophysiologists, as well as its own extensive
experience in designing medical products, Cambridge Design Partnership’s report
describes the future of ablation catheter technology as a means of treatment.
It deals comprehensively and expertly with a wide range of subjects, from fluidics,
through thermal management and the monitoring of lesion formation. Cambridge
Design Partnership has been able to compile a comprehensive review of current
solutions and identify future technologies that will form the fundamental
drivers in this growing market.
Examples of enabling technologies that might feature in
catheters in the longer term, and which are included in the report, are MEMS
technologies, MRI-compliant components, force monitoring, advanced imaging
techniques, real-time thermal modelling, and plastic electronics. All of these
elements are currently undergoing exciting developments that may well make them
ideally suited to incorporation in catheters within the coming years.
Major manufacturers are currently competing on efficacy of
their solutions. Several technologies are now being brought to market and the
quest for commercially successful, next generation ablation catheters are
driving a significant innovation effort across the industry. During the
research process Cambridge Design Partnership spoke to leading
electrophysiologists who described the drivers in their decision to adopt a
particular technology and the forthcoming directions that could best meet their
needs. The results found that the crucial goal was to create repeatable, contiguous,
lasting lesions, and that device choice was substantially determined by the
perception of the ability to achieve this.
Dr Keith Turner, Partner, Cambridge Design Partnership
commented, “This is a hugely important area in medical development. The market
is competing to create more effective ablation catheters and so the ability to
identify inspired engineering solutions and implement them rapidly into new
products is essential. The part I find most fascinating is hearing the views of
the electrophysiologists on each of the new technologies currently under
development because it implies that certain projects need a change of direction
if they are to provide a return on investment. The report should prove
interesting reading for senior strategic marketing and R&D managers who are
directing these programmes. As a result of this research we are now in a
position to help accelerate the progress of these vitally important
technologies and offer companies a true insight into the needs of the experts
on the front line who are treating this condition.”
An executive summary of the report is available of Cambridge
Design Partnership’s website http://www.cambridge-design.co.uk/ and the full
report entitled ‘The future of AF ablation catheter technologies’ is available
to interested parties on request. To request a copy please contact Dr Keith
Turner at Cambridge Design Partnership on +44 (0)1223 264428 or by e-mail at
[email protected]
References
[1] Fuster V, Rydn LE, Cannom DS, et al, 2006. ACC/AHA/ESC 2006 Guidelines for
the management of patients with atrial fibrillation. Circulation, 114:e257-e354
Abhayaratna WP, Seward JB, Tsang TSM, 2006. Secular Trends in Incidence of
Atrial Fibrillation in Olmsted County, Minnesota, 1980 to 2000, and
Implications on the Projections for Future Prevalence. Circulation, 114:119-125 [3] Fuster V, Rydn LE, Cannom DS, et al, 2006. ACC/AHA/ESC
2006 Guidelines for the management of patients with atrial fibrillation.
Circulation, 114:e257-e354
