TopSpin Medical has developed a breakthrough technology for a miniature, portable imaging probe containing all the magnetic field sources to perform local MRI with no external magnets. The primary application developed by TopSpin is high-resolution imaging of coronary artery walls during cardiac catheterization by a single-use, IntraVascular MRI (IVMRI) catheter. The IVMRI catheter is intended to be used for the detection of unstable lesions in high-risk patients by giving interventional cardiologists a tool for identification of lipid laden regions of the vascular wall*. The IVMRI catheter is designed to be free of motion artefacts problems related to cardiac MRI, since there is no relative motion between the catheter and the artery.
Following the first clinical cases, Dr. Hennen commented: “For years we have known that MRI is probably the best imaging modality for characterization of lesion composition. However, it was just unrealistic to have to send every patient for an MRI procedure. We now just put the miniature IVMRI catheter into the patient and get an image on the spot. We are proud to be the first clinical site to use the IVMRI catheter and are very pleased with the clinical cases we have performed to date.”
“TopSpin is opening the door to being able to image vascular pathologies in compositional details. We believe that there is great potential in having the intravascular MRI technology as an important tool for clinical decision making in the cath. lab.” said Prof. Grube.
Erez Golan, President & CEO of TopSpin Medical, noted that the clinical trial marks an important milestone for the company. “We have been working for more than three years to develop this proprietary technology for the IVMRI catheter. MRI is a highly versatile and powerful technology and can be potentially used to detect different tissue constituents. In addition, we have plans to test several MRI contrast agents to see whether the IVMRI catheter has the potential to identify regions of inflammation*
TopSpin Medical will be exhibiting at TCT 2003 (booth #1155), a cardiology congress being held in Washington, DC from September 15 to 19. The data from the initial clinical cases will be presented by Dr. Robert Wilensky at the one-day VP symposium at TCT to be held on Thursday, September 18.
