Over the last ten years, we have pioneered several technologies that improve the MRI-safety profile of implantable medical leads. These leads are thin, insulated wires that are connected to implantable generators, such as a pacemaker or neurostimulator, and deliver electrical pulses or stimulation to a specific area of the body, such as the heart or the brain. Millions of people have active implantable cardiac and neurological devices, with more than 500,000 devices implanted per year.
It is estimated that between 50% and 75% of patients with an implantable device are expected to need an MRI scan during the lifetime of their devices. However, implantable medical leads are susceptible to heating in the MRI environment. As a result, people with active implantable devices are prohibited from undergoing an MRI scan. Not surprisingly, physician implanters have consistently mentioned MRI-safe devices as a primary unmet clinical need.
Our technologies address this heating issue by maintaining lead temperatures well within safe levels during an MRI scan. We have entered into licensing and development arrangements with Boston Scientific Corporation with respect to our MRI-safety technologies. Under our arrangements, we are working with Boston Scientific to incorporate our MRI-safety technologies into Boston Scientific’s implantable leads for cardiac and neurological applications.
