Advancing Device Performance Through Clinical Simulation
Innovative cardiac technology
CroíValve, a Dublin-based medical device company, partnered with the MET Technology Gateway at Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Galway to simulate clinical implantation procedures for their innovative cardiac technology. By leveraging MET’s specialised imaging infrastructure and expertise, CroíValve gained critical insights into device performance under realistic clinical conditions, streamlining their R&D process and preparing for successful clinical outcomes.
For CroíValve, assessing the real-world performance of their device required specialised clinical imaging techniques that are typically unavailable in a standard laboratory setting. The company faced a technological bottleneck: the need to visualise device behaviour via echocardiography (echo) and fluoroscopy without having to invest in or master the complex equipment in-house. Understanding how the device interacts with cardiac anatomy in a clinically representative environment was essential before moving toward human clinical cases.
Specialised clinical imaging techniques
MET Technology Gateway provided CroíValve with access to state-of-the-art imaging facilities and technical expertise to bridge the gap between bench testing and clinical application.
- Advanced Clinical Imaging: MET provided echo visualisation on the bench using a Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE) probe, a capability CroíValve does not have in-house.
- Expert Support: MET’s expertise in fluoroscopy and echo allowed CroíValve to focus on device performance rather than the technical complexities of operating the imaging hardware.
- Integrated Testing Environment: The collaboration utilised MET’s facilities to incorporate model technology from LifeTec Group, allowing CroíValve to work with international partners within an Irish-based research hub.
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Irish Company
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Direct Consultancy
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Integrated Testing Environment
“The ability to have echo visualisation on the bench via TEE probe was a huge benefit. This is something we are unable to do in-house. Visualisation of the device via echo is key to assessing device performance.“.
Aoife Mulligan, Senior R&D/Clinical Engineer, CroíValve
CroíValve & MET Technology Gateway partnership
The partnership has fundamentally enhanced CroíValve’s approach to product development and procedural validation:
Improved Device Understanding: The ability to simulate implantation using clinical imaging has provided a deeper understanding of how the device performs during a procedure.
Overcoming Technological Bottlenecks: Access to MET’s specialised imaging suite removed the hurdle of acquiring and learning complex clinical equipment, accelerating the R&D timeline.
Clinical Readiness: The insights gained from these simulations are directly contributing to the preparation for successful clinical cases.
Local Access to Global Standards: The collaboration allowed CroíValve to use LifeTec Group models within Ireland, simplifying logistics while maintaining high experimental standards.