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.
Are you developing new technology for an existing application? Did you know your development work could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? Even if your development isn’t successful your work may still qualify for R&D credits (i.e. you don’t need to have a patent to qualify). To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.
Who We Are:
Swanson Reed is one of the U.S.’ largest Specialist R&D tax advisory firms. We manage all facets of the R&D tax credit program, from claim preparation and audit compliance to claim disputes.
Swanson Reed regularly hosts free webinars and provides free IRS CE and CPE credits for CPAs. For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.
