Minnesota Patent of the Month – January 2024
Cardio Flow, Inc., a privately held commercial-stage medical device, is bringing minimally invasive procedures to improve patient outcomes. The company made headlines in 2023 when their market-disruptive FreedomFlow® Orbital Atherectomy Platform received FDA clearance. In another round of success, the company has been granted a patent for their device.
The company’s Rotational Atherectomy Device is a sophisticated tool designed to remove or reduce stenotic lesions in blood vessels, particularly those caused by atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is known as the clogging of arteries with plaque, often the result of coronary heart disease.
At the heart of this invention is a dynamic control handle which integrates advanced features to enhance precision, safety, and user control. The handle houses a torque-transmitting coil, slidably and rotatably disposed within a sheath. This coil is equipped with eccentric abrasive elements at its distal end, strategically positioned for optimal efficacy.
The outer handle housing encapsulates an electric motor responsible for driving the rotation of the torque-transmitting coil. Cardio Flow’s innovation doesn’t stop there; a sophisticated controller assembly regulates the rotational speed of the coil. This controller is activated through an atherectomy trigger button, creating a seamless and responsive user experience.
What sets Cardio Flow’s invention apart is the meticulous attention to user interface design. The handle incorporates a longitudinal slot, along which the atherectomy trigger button moves. Additionally, a series of rotation speed control buttons enable clinicians to set precise rotational speed settings, ensuring adaptability to diverse clinical scenarios.
The integration of a guidewire access port and a guidewire clamp actuator adds another layer of functionality. Cardio Flow’s invention excels in safety measures, with the controller assembly preventing the electric motor from driving rotation when the guidewire clamp actuator is in an unlocked position.
A unique feature is the inclusion of a guidewire clamp light that emits a signal in response to the activation of the guidewire clamp actuator. This intuitive visual cue enhances user awareness during procedures.
Cardio Flow’s invention incorporates a fluid delivery button for initiating the delivery of fluid through the sheath, promoting lubrication and preventing blood backflow. The control handle also houses a pump for efficient fluid delivery, eliminating the need for external pump connections.
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