Reference #: 1698
The University of South Carolina is offering licensing opportunities for Semi-automated, dynamic system with mechanical feedback for intra-myocardial injection.
Background:
Current methods of payload (biomaterial/drug/cell) delivery to injured or diseased cardiac tissue (myocardium) involve invasive (e.g. open heart) surgery that can lead to complications and long recovery times. Additionally, the payload is typically delivered manually without much accuracy or precision on depth, location, or quantity.
Invention Description:
This invention is a minimally invasive, fully automated robotic injection device that is designed to deliver therapeutic payloads to the myocardium. The mechanisms of the device allow it to sense the mechanical and electrical signals of the hearts in order to be able to dynamically inject a known quantity of therapeutic payload within a precise time window at a specific location and myocardial depth. This robotic medical device is programmable and allows for repeated injections in prescribed patterns.
Potential Applications:
Medical field, specifically the delivery of therapeutic payloads to the myocardium.
Advantages and Benefits:
A major unmet medical need is a safe, reproducible, and scalable product which can provide precise payload delivery to the injured myocardium. The automated targeting and control systems of this robotic medical device, which rely on mechanical and electrical signals of the heart, reduce the potential errors associated with manual or catheter-based approaches and allow for rapid and repeated delivery to the target tissue. Furthermore, the minimally invasive nature of the invention allows for shorter recovery times and reduced likelihood of complications.