6 Interventional Cardiology Advancements to Follow in 2022

You might be surprised to discover that there is a direct connection between developments in interventional cardiology equipment and social trends together with population profiles. Perhaps you’ve noticed discussions on rising percentages of the elderly demographic, people living with higher levels of stress, and many living sedentary lifestyles with unhealthy dietary habits. These groups are at the highest risk of living with cardiovascular diseases and count for as much as one-third of the world’s population. In the wake of Covid-19 many surgical procedures are given additional consideration due to avoid further complications and longer hospitalization. We’ve also seen an increase in concern over easily communicable diseases during surgical procedures (including Covid-19, HIV, Hep B, C, etc.).

The conditions have favored a steep rise in use and demand for Interventional Cardiology Procedures. The nature of these procedures has rendered them a tremendous success both with medical practitioners and patient. The Interventional cardiology segment – worth billions of dollars, is expected to register a CAGR of 8.5% by 2028.

Here are 6 advancements in the equipment used within Interventional Cardiology:

1- Robotic Technologies in Interventional Cardiology

Surgery is a highly precise and tedious operation that surgeons have had to perform in their own strength. Today however miniature surgical robots controlled by surgeons, enable them to perform minimally invasive surgeries with a great deal of stability, ease of movement and far better visibility than a traditional surgical procedure. For example: the electrophysiology program that uses robotic magnetic navigation to treat cardiac arrhythmias. 

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2 – Navigational Sensors in Interventional Cardiology

Minimally invasive procedures that are performed with the help of catheters are equipped with navigational sensors that aid surgeons visually and hepatically. These sensors operate based on magnetic or electromagnetic imaging. Recent developments in navigational sensors for interventional cardiology applications, provide surgeons ability to navigate and perform with far superior precision especially when it comes to complex procedures.

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3 – Drug-Eluting Stents For Interventional Cardiology

The stents coated with specific drugs are extremely useful when placed in peripheral or coronary arteries. The drug is slowly released to prevent the formation of scar tissue and clotting – post-treatment.

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4 – Vascular Closure Devices For Interventional Cardiology

Come in various forms, the likes of metallic clips, sutures, or patches made from various materials and used to seal the puncture sites after an angiogram or a catheterization procedure.

5 – Coronary Guidewires For Interventional Cardiology

These wires are used to navigate through blood vessels and deliver devices such as a balloon catheter to the narrowed arterial site.

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6 – Biodegradable Stents

Another promising innovation is the use of bio-absorbable (biodegradable) materials in the manufacture of stents. Using such devices improves patients’ overall health by minimizing the predisposition to late stent thrombosis.

The evolution of stenting materials

In the developmental evolution of stenting materials, you’ll find that they started out as non-degradable stainless steel, introduced nitinol (Nickel-Titanium alloys) that confer self-expandable properties to stents (which is a rarity among stents) and then evolved into biodegradable Magnesium. Stents are now set to be made with Zinc – which is Bio-adaptive, smart, and Anti-bacterial.

It often takes veteran manufacturers who are specialized in the field of interventional cardiology equipment, to be able to smoothly navigate through this ever-evolving market.

The Evolution of Navigational Systems for Minimally Invasive Procedures

Navigational systems started out as simple miniature video cameras attached to the end of a catheter to observe and help correct what’s out of place in the digestive system, respiratory system and sometimes in nephrology and urology. It has since moved on to fluoroscopic imaging, which has been quite successful, until sensors with greater precision and better safety characteristic were developed. These include electromagnetic sensors that operate in real time. In fact, navigational technology began in simple 2D form, evolving into 3D, then robotic and now includes Augmented and Virtual Reality navigation. These evolutionary stages have improved upon each other in terms of accuracy, radiation exposure (a major concern for physicians, technicians and patients), and economics.

With an experienced medical device manufacturer at your side, you will have access to in-depth knowledge about which types of sensors work best for specific purposes, the effectiveness of each and the most efficient way to manufacture them. 

Your Next Manufacturing Partner

At the end of the day, the healthcare practitioners and patients are inclined to choose safe and non-invasive medical procedures that avert possibly life-threatening conditions such as heart attacks, clotting of blood, blocked arteries, and other medical conditions. Veteran manufacturers such as Quasar Medical– with over thirty years of medical device manufacturing experience servicing for the largest OEMs and can be your next manufacturing partner for your next interventional cardiology device – from concept stage right through to production and packaging.