Gel, a new matter for the heart?
13.12.2010
Cardiovascular disease accounts for about a third of all deaths in the world. In Europe it is the main single cause of death. A key challenge in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases is the development of novel medical devices that are less invasive, less expensive, and safer. The European Commission has launched a project called “Heart-e-Gel”, funded under the FP7 Specific Programme “Cooperation”, to develop such devices for treating conditions like varicose veins and abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). The research project started in September 2010 for a duration of 3 years and is coordinated by the Tyndall National Institute, UCC.

The new devices are based on Electro Active Polymers (EAP’s) which can change size and shape when electrically activated, and thus will have an ability to close, fill, and seal, vessels and cavities. Particularly, in cases where external vessel surgery is required, alternative, less invasive, procedures might now become possible. When used in combination with stents and endografts more effective and longer lasting treatments might be achieved.

A further future prospect could be the utilisation of wireless technology in conjunction with these new EAP materials, which for instance could facilitate readjusting an implant fitting over time without surgical intervention. Or another example could be the reduction of the number of repeat-operations a growing child has to undergo as a result of congenital heart disease.

The project includes leading material & microelectronics scientists, surgeons and medical device companies in collaboration with European partners.

<<Previous Item Next Item>>

« Back to 2010 Press Releases