Services

Design and Development of Medical Devices

In collaboration with major biomedical industries, members of our team have taken part to the invention and developed a number of innovative prosthetic devices for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases (more than 30 patents), that are now established products in the EU and US markets and have been implanted in thousands of patients.

Now we actively work on the conception, development and clinical implementation of improved therapeutic solutions for cardiovascular diseases, which would contribute to redefine next generation healthcare, and improve patients’ health and quality of life.

EXAMPLES OF INVENTIONS WITH CONTRIBUTION FROM GROUP MEMBERS

• Burriesci, G., Rahmani, B., Byrne, G., McGregor, C. (2018) Bioprosthetic heart valve. Application Number: WO2018011592 (A1)
• Burriesci, G., Bozkurt, S., Rahmani, B., Mullen, M.J. (2016) Prosthetic heart valve. Application Number: US2018161155 (A1), EP3310301 (A1)
• Burriesci, G., Tzamtzis, S., Mullen, M. J., Seifalian, A., Yap, J. (2015) Vascular implant. Patent Number: EP3043746 (B1)
• Burriesci G, Tzamtzis S, Seifalian A. Prosthesis delivery system. Patent Numbers: US9597211 B2, EP2629700 (B1)
• Burriesci G, Seifalian A, Zervides C. Heart valve prosthesis. Patent Number: EP2413842 (B1)
• Righini G, Bergamasco G, Burriesci G. Expandable prosthetic valve crimping device. Patent Numbers: US8006535 (B2), EP2014257 (B1) 
• Bergamasco G, Burriesci G, Righini G, Stacchino C. Cardiac-valve prosthesis. Patent Numbers:  EP1690515 (B1), US7857845 (B2)
• Burriesci G, Bergamasco G. Annuloplasty prosthesis with an auxetic structure. Patent Numbers: US8034103 (B2), EP1803420 (B1) 
• Bergamasco G, Burriesci G, Stacchino C. Annuloplasty prosthesis. Patent Numbers: EP1719476 (B1)
• Stacchino C, Bergamasco G, Burriesci G. Minimally-invasive cardiac-valve prosthesis. Patent Numbers: EP1570809 (B1), US8109996 (B2)

Assessment of Cardiovascular Devices

We have extensive experience in the assessment of cardiovascular implants, including surgical and transcatheter heart valves, annuloplasty rings and stents. 

We are familiar with regulatory standards, and our laboratory is equipped with state of the art pulse duplicators and durability testing devices complying with the ISO 5840 and FDA guidance.

We perform flow measurement and flow diagnostic with a number of techniques, including PIV, as well as FEM, CFD and FSI analyses of medical devices interacting with physiological systems.

The laboratory is equipped with facilities for the treatment and testing of biomaterials, and we have full access to the advanced manufacturing capability at UCL Mechanical Engineering and expertise in the manufacturing of mock compliant cardiac chambers (e.g. polymeric aortic roots).

BioMaterials Testing

We work on the mechanical and thermo-mechanical characterisation of a wide range of materials and material structures derived either from nature or engineered, relevant for medical applications and medical devices.

These include:

• hard and soft tissues (e.g. bone, cartilage, muscles, pericardium, vessel walls)
• polymers (e.g. silicone, polyurethane, nanocomposite polymers, PET & PTFE fabrics)
• metals (e.g. stainless steel, titanium, cobalt-chromium alloys, nitinol)
• ceramics (e.g. hydroxyapatite, pyrolitic carbon).

Professional Training

We can provide professional training in the area of design and qualification of medical devices, for graduates and technicians working in the biomedical industry.