Innovative, internationally patented surgical clamp for the Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion (LAAO)
AtriClamp is an epicardial cardiac surgical clamp for the LAAO procedure. The devices is a set of an implant and a dedicated applicator.
About the invention
A left atrial appendage is an anatomical structure located near the left atrium that fills with blood during contraction of the heart chambers. LAAO procedures are performed to prevent stroke that occurs in patients suffering from atrial fibrillation. This type of arrhythmia often leads to the accumulation of blood clots inside the left atrial appendage due to the impaired blood flow in this area. In such a situation there is a high risk that the thrombus may flow into the vessels resulting in an ischemic stroke. The breakthrough of the invention consists, among others, in the fact that the implant is placed on the external side of the heart and at the same time the risk of blood clots leaking out of the appendage during the surgery is reduced. The effect is achieved by a new approach to the method of placing the implant, so the blood and thrombus remain enclosed inside the appendage.
Project assumptions
One of the main objectives of the project is to enable high product availability due to its cost-effectiveness. As a result, this innovative procedure has the chance to help as many patients as possible and has the potential to be performed routinely for other cardiac surgical procedures requiring the chest to be opened.