Novel Educational Tools to Understand the Cardiac Device Delivery Pathways

Abstract

ObjectivesIn the field of cardiac devices, there is a transition from surgical approaches to less-invasive, transcatheter therapies. Vascular pathways that were previously untouched are now directly affected by these delivery systems. The aim of this work is to create educational tools that assist physicians and device designers in understanding the vascular pathways relative to transcatether procedures. Methods Datasets were collected from human cadaveric specimens, isolated hearts, and clinical images. These datasets were analyzed for the cardiac device delivery pathways and the device-tissue interactions in both static and dynamic settings. Results Generated instructional videos and 3D printed models for physician training and pre-clinical testing demonstrate the device-tissue interfaces as they relate to a variety of transcatheter products. Quantitative measurements of the vascular movements induced by the device-tissue interactions show the negative effects these transcatheter procedures can have in living patients. Results from the dynamic studies indicate that significant tissue modulations occur with the array of tested transcatheter procedures. Conclusion The research platforms and educational tools created highlight the impact that various transcatheter therapies have on the delivery pathways. These learnings will improve the procedure and device designs of future cardiac therapies.