Synopsis:

AngioCure™ is an emerging medical device company focused on commercializing a state-of-the-art platform of Smart Balloon Catheters: miniaturized imaging- and catheter-based systems designed to improve surgical treatment of coronary artery and other vascular diseases, giving operating physicians and surgeons increased treatment capabilities with far better control, while affording patients lower complication rates and a better quality of life while and reducing the significant financial burdens of vascular disease to patients, employers and society.

AngioCure’s initial focus is its patented Telescoping Multi-Lumen, Multi-Balloon Occlusion  Perfusion Catheter: TOP-C™, which includes a patented therapeutic infusion catheter, capable of breaking plaque and dilating stenoses, then isolating vessel segments for delivery of physician-selected therapeutic drugs.  TOP-C is designed in such a way that delivery of therapeutic agents is maximized, limiting downstream loss.  Additionally, no implants are left behind; restenosis is far less likely, and additional surgery remains possible. TOP-C may be used instead of, or in addition to, other procedures such as stenting.

The single-patient use three-balloon TOP-C “smart” catheter may be manipulated with one hand.  Balloons may be inflated separately or together, allowing multiple maneuvers within the vessel operative space.  If the distal and proximal balloons are inflated together, an isolated segment within the vessel is created, in which the medial (central) balloon may inflate and deflate to dilate the segment.  Between each balloon is a port on the catheter shaft that may be used to infuse drugs into the isolated segment; the medial balloon may be inflated to create an osmotic pressure gradient that drives the drug solution across vessel wall membranes.  This is called extravasation.

The AngioSense™ console tracks and delivers information to the operators on the volume and pressure of inflation media to each balloon, and is capable of alternating pressures to compensate for the patient’s systolic and diastolic blood pressures, maximizing effective absorption of drugs.  The console may also control cyclical inflation and deflation to break up plaque.  Metrical data may be entered into the patient’s chart, contributing valuable information for later review.

In short, TOP-C isolates a region of the coronary or peripheral vasculature to create an operative treatment chamber.  Inside this space, a third (operative) balloon with a special textured surface is deployed to expand the diameter of the vessel so the healthy blood flow is restored.  Then, a chosen drug – or combination of drugs – may be delivered into the space, and pressurized (extravasated) into the surrounding vessel wall in a gentle, controlled manner.  When the procedure is finished, the catheter is withdrawn, leaving nothing behind to irritate the vessel wall or allow the buildup of clots or plaque.