Catheter that detects damaged and healthy heart tissue during atrial fibrillation ablation
New generation of catheters for treatment of atrial fibrillation
This project is creating a catheter for people with atrial fibrillation that helps doctors see during ablation which heart tissue is permanently damaged and where gaps remain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Luxmed Systems, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Weston, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11035151 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have atrial fibrillation and are getting catheter ablation, this project aims to bring a new catheter that can tell the difference between tissue that has been permanently damaged and tissue that is still alive. The catheter uses sensors to detect tissue injury in real time while the doctor applies radiofrequency energy, helping to reveal gaps in the lines of lesions around the pulmonary veins. By guiding immediate additional treatment where needed, it could reduce the chance that the arrhythmia comes back. The program includes preclinical testing and steps toward clinical testing and commercialization to make the device available at treating hospitals.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with symptomatic atrial fibrillation who are scheduled for or considering catheter ablation are the most likely candidates.
Not a fit: People whose atrial fibrillation is treated without ablation or who are not eligible for invasive catheter procedures are unlikely to benefit from this device.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lower the need for repeat ablation procedures and improve long-term rhythm control by confirming complete, permanent lesions during the procedure.
How similar studies have performed: Other tools such as contact-force sensing and lesion indices provide indirect guidance but do not directly measure permanent tissue death, so this direct-sensing approach is relatively new and not yet widely proven in clinical practice.
Where this research is happening
Weston, UNITED STATES
- Luxmed Systems, INC. — Weston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ransbury, Terry — Luxmed Systems, INC.
- Study coordinator: Ransbury, Terry
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.