How Medtronic uses nitinol to improve the structure and effectiveness of heart devices

June 9, 2023 By Danielle Kirsh

Tim Laske is Medtronic’s VP of Research & Business Development, Cardiac Ablation Solutions. [Photo courtesy of Medtronic]

The heart is often one of the most underappreciated aspects of human anatomy, and its atrial appendages are often overlooked even in cardiac anatomy.

These delicate and astonishingly thin structures are challenges for medical device developers.

Some intricate structures within the heart are so thin that a business card can be read through them, said Tim Laske, VP of research and business development for the cardiac ablation solutions business at Medtronic. When observing the heart in a surgical space, it becomes evident that atrial appendages carry blood, emphasizing the need to visualize their unique properties and thickness.

Rather than relying solely on “textbook depictions,” designing medical tubing that accommodates the true characteristics of this delicate anatomy is crucial for optimal device performance.

“The ventricular anatomy is incredibly complex,” Laske said during a presentation at DeviceTalks Boston. “Everyone has a slightly different anatomy, and their conduction system is slightly different. Please consider that when designing devices.”

By acknowledging these differences, engineers can develop tubing solutions that seamlessly integrate with the diverse ventricular anatomy, ultimately enhancing device performance and patient outcomes.

Get the full story on our sister site, Medical Tubing + Extrusion.