Hickey Cardiac Monitoring System
Scivanta is developing a minimally invasive cardiac monitoring device using an esophageal balloon catheter that provides cardiac performance data similar to that obtained through pulmonary artery catheters (PACs), such as the Swan-Ganz catheter.
Scivanta’s Hickey Cardiac Monitoring System (“HCMS”) addresses many of the shortcomings of PACs, and is intended to bring minimally-invasive cardiac monitoring technology to intensive care units
and to cardiology, surgical, and anesthesia markets.
Because Swan-Ganz and other PACs must be inserted through an artery by a trained physician, the use of these devices is limited to critical care settings. In addition to the usual risks associated with cardiac catheterization, such as infection and pneumothorax (compressed lung), controlled studies have suggested that patients undergoing monitoring with PACs have a significantly higher death rate during hospitalization due to the invasive nature of the procedure. There is a considerable lack of consensus on how to use the readouts from a Swan-Ganz catheter, and which relevant clinical parameters the device actually measures.
The HCMS uses a minimally invasive, two-balloon esophageal catheter, which is attached to a specialized computer and monitor containing proprietary software. The HCMS allows continuous, long-term cardiac performance monitoring at lower cost and reduced patient risk as compared with PACs devices currently on the market.
Positioning of the two-balloon catheter in the esophagus capitalizes on the unique anatomic relationship of the left atrium and the aortic arch proximate to the esophagus. Once a caregiver positions the catheter, the balloons are inflated. Wall motion in the left atrium and aorta generates pressure changes in the respective balloons. The electronic monitoring system captures and processes signals from these pressure changes as well as data from an electrocardiogram (ECG), phonocardiogram, and automated blood pressure cuff. The monitoring system then translates this raw data into relevant, real-time clinical measurements.
The HCMS catheter is inserted through the mouth or nose into the esophagus. Since no surgery is required, a physician, nurse, or medical technician can insert the catheter. Because the HCMS catheter is less invasive than the Swan-Ganz catheter, Scivanta believes the HCMS will be utilized in applications outside of surgical and intensive care settings. For example, patients can eat or drink with the catheter in place.
Performance, Benefits and Advantages
