New Hampshire Patent of the Month – November 2023
Conformal Medical, Inc., a medical technology company focused on preventing stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation, has recently patented their left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion system.
Atrial fibrillation (Afib) is a condition in which the normal beating of the left atrium is chaotic and ineffective. Studies have shown that patients with Afib are also at an increased risk of stroke. The current standard of care for stroke prevention is a chronic oral anticoagulant. Unfortunately these introduce a new risk – excessive bleeding.
Conformal Medical’s solution removes the need for coagulants. The CLAAS System has a conformable, tubular foam body with an expandable support and a tether system, setting it apart from existing devices for LAA occlusion. As the device is deployed into the LAA from the delivery catheter, the tether wraps around the pin, which secures it within the foam body. Once deployed, the tether can be disengaged by cutting it, enabling the occlusion device to sit tension-free for final positioning before detachment.
The expanding form implant conforms to each patient’s unique anatomy. It comes in two sizes – large and regular – to reduce the imaging requirements. This streamlined process could convert LAA occlusion to a same day procedure, moving clinical practice away from general anesthesia and overnight hospitalizations.
By completely closing the LAA, blood clots are blocked from moving into the bloodstream. In this manner, stroke is prevented without the need for lifelong anticoagulants, offering a drastic improvement on patient outcomes.
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