Minnesota Patent of the Month – December 2023
Cardio Flow, Inc., a privately held commercial-stage medical device company, is committed to innovation in the realm of minimally invasive peripheral vascular products. Recently, the company has been granted a patent for their atherectomy device.
Atherosclerosis, or the clogging of arteries with plaque, is a common outcome from coronary heart disease and other vascular problems. As fat and cholesterol accumulates, it hardens over time and causes the arteries to narrow. A narrow artery has limited blood-flow and impacts all regions of the body. An atherectomy is a standard procedure for removing or reducing these plaque blockages and requires bringing an abrasive surface into the blood vessel and rotating it at high speed to scrape out the hard plaque.
Cardio Flow’s device aims to address challenges associated with catheter-based interventions in treating blood vessel blockages. Their design offers a more versatile and precise tool. This, in turn, could lead to improved patient outcomes, reduced procedural complexities, and potentially shorter recovery times.
The versatile design is easy to operate, optimizes work flow, and minimizes capital costs and inventory. Designed with a flexible drive shaft and a comfortable handle, the drive shaft can be guided into even the most complex blood vessels. A unique spiral geometry leverages the physics of angular momentum — a rotational vortex that puts five diamond-coated spheres in constant contact with the vessel wall no matter if advancing or retracting. In addition, five diamond-coated spheres are mounted around the driveshaft which, when rotated, move outwards due to centrifugal force, providing constant and consistent contact with the vessel wall for efficient plaque modification or removal.
While the specifics of the patent are intricate, the overarching narrative revolves around a commitment to advancing medical technology for the benefit of both patients and healthcare practitioners. Cardio Flow’s foray into optimizing catheter-based procedures aligns with the broader industry trend of seeking innovative solutions to age-old medical challenges.
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