MaRVis Technologies GmbH
ANIMAL TRIALS
MaRVis guidewire prototypes have been tested in animal trials in pig. In a stepwise procedure X-ray visibility, mechanical handling by physicians, and MRI visualization have been examined. Overall, practical applicability of the novel medical devices in MRI-guided interventions should be demonstrated in comparison to conventionally X-ray-guided interventions.
In the first step X-ray visibility has been tested concurrently to evaluation of mechanical handling by radiologists in angiography. X-ray visibility proved to be well comparable to a Terumo standard guidewire with a conventional metal core. Two out of a number of positions in the body of a pig successfully reached with the guidewire and with catheters pushed over it are shown here as illustrative examples demonstrating the power of the MaRVis technology platform. Handling of the guidewire prototype has been rated by the radiologists to be comparable to that of the reference Terumo guidewire. Time periods required to perform the various interventions in angiography were almost identical for the commercial Terumo guidewire and the novel MaRVis guidewire prototype.
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Fig. 2-1: Guidewire in aortic arch in left ventricle of the heart
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- Fig. 2-2: Guidewire and catheter in right Arteria renalis
Proof-of-concept for the MRI-guided interventions was achieved by successfully demonstrating catheterization of the renal artery in the animal trial. Signals generated by the MaRVis guidewire could be clearly distinguished from the signals resulting from body tissue, and especially good tracking of the moving guidewire including the tip along the aorta and renal artery was possible. In Fig. 2-3 an exemplary video demonstration of the intervention into the kidney using magnetic resonance imaging is shown. For the first time a novel MRI compatible and visible guidewire - completely devoid of any metal wires but continuously doped with metal particles - has become available. The animal trials evidenced the superiority of the MaRVis technology platform over all other so far pursued concepts in development of such devices.
Fig. 2-3: Renal artery catheterization in pig under MRI visualization
