ISRAEL: Microtech Announces First Human Use of Implantable Microsensor to Detect Heart Failure

TEL AVIV, Israel , Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Microtech, a wholly owned subsidiary of Medinol, Inc., a leader in global medical technology research and development, announced that it has initiated clinical trials of a microsensor that measures atrial pressure, a critical factor in the treatment of heart failure. The first implantation of the microsensor was performed by Prof. Erez Sharoni of Beilinson Medical Center in Petach Tikva, Israel.

Microtech’s implantable microsensor platform is the culmination of decades

of work on a new class of sensor technology that can be used not only on its own but also in conjunction with an existing device. The sub-millimeter technology, with its completely passive operation and ultrasonic external communication, enables the transformation of existing implants into intelligent devices capable of collecting data and performing multiple functions simultaneously.

Speaking about the potential of the Microtech sensor platform, Prof Sharoni, Head of the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, said: "This extraordinary technology has the potential to transform the standard of care for heart failure patients, particularly those receiving left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) or heart transplants, which is the subject of this study."

Data generated by the implanted sensors will be aggregated so that heart failure specialists can make informed decisions about their patients. “Heart failure is characterized by periods of quiescence followed by worsening, requiring repeated hospitalizations. This groundbreaking technology will allow us to observe patient parameters in real time to intervene earlier and reduce patient morbidity and mortality,” said Dr. Tuvia Ben-Gal , head of the Heart Failure Department at Rabin Medical Center.

“Connecting sensors to existing devices enables physicians to treat patients based on measurable physiological parameters rather than symptoms alone and is a key step towards increasing equity in healthcare globally. Using a compact, home-based device, a patient implanted with Microtech technology can instantly transmit highly accurate blood pressure data directly to their physician, eliminating geographical distance and mobility challenges,” said Dr. Yoram Richter , CEO of Medinol. “This unique capability will completely transform many clinical scenarios, including for patients with heart failure, glaucoma, hydrocephalus, portal hypertension, abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) leaks and many other conditions, providing greater access to care and reducing the number of doctor visits and hospitalizations. Most importantly, for practicing physicians and medical device manufacturers, smart devices equipped with sensors will not only be used in emergencies to correct anatomical abnormalities, but will be used throughout the patient’s life.”

Medinol

Medinol is dynamically changing the paradigm of disease diagnosis and treatment. Whether developing groundbreaking medical devices for implanting stents in various body regions, contributing to a significant reduction in complications of structural heart procedures, or providing real-time information on physiological parameters of the body via implantable sensors, Medinol boldly modernizes existing technology and procedures, looking far into the future to create new medical devices and expand the capabilities of physicians in physical and geographical scope. Working with its partners, which include representatives of the medical community and entities from the industry, Medinol is creating the future today.