Subventions et des contributions :

Subvention ou bourse octroyée s'appliquant à plus d'un exercice financier. (2017-2018 à 2018-2019)

Cardiovascular diseases affect 36.9% of the population. It is estimated that 4-5 million people are affected byx000D
atrial fibrillation (irregular heart beat) in the US and about 350000 in Canada. An important treatment isx000D
catheter ablation of the erratic conductive cells causing the fibrillation, located near the pulmonary veins ostiax000D
in the left atrium. Catheter ablation involves the insertion of a catheter in the groin and directed via the venax000D
cava into the right atria. The septal wall between the right atrium and the left atrium is punctured to access thex000D
pulmonary veins ostia. The catheter tip delivers energy (radio frequency, cryogenic, ultrasound) to isolate thex000D
erratic conductive cells. However, catheter ablation is associated with complications rates of about 4.5%x000D
including atrio-esophageal fistula, a life threatening condition. Improvement of the technology requires ax000D
precise assessment of the orientation, positioning, contact forces and navigation through the tissue and deliveryx000D
of the energy for achieving the desired isolation while avoiding unwanted perforation and burn/freeze. Agilex000D
MV is developing an adjunctive device to ablation catheters that has the potential to provide better positioning,x000D
reduce associated potential vessel damage while decreasing the intervention time for an improved patientx000D
outcome and lower hospital/physician costs. In this project, we propose to use a methodology that wex000D
developed for making anatomically and biomechanically correct hydrogel vascular phantoms to reproduce thex000D
specific anatomy of the left atrium, right atrium and vena cava to optimize the biomechanical parameters ofx000D
Agile MV's design to ensure most favorable treatment. We will use an approach that we developed for otherx000D
vascular structures (ascending aorta, AAA) and customize it for Agile's project by reconstructing the vena cava,x000D
right atrium and left atrium. This approach makes uses of PVA (PolyVinyl Alcohol) to reproduce the elasticx000D
properties of vascular tissue. This provides realistic and reproducible vascular phantoms for testingx000D
interventional technology.