Millipede Reports Successful First Use of Integrated ICE Delivery System for Iris Annuloplasty Ring

September 10, 2018—Millipede, Inc. announced the first use of its latest-generation delivery system, which incorporates a fully integrated intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) catheter. The catheter is designed to enhance the precise delivery and accurate placement of the company's Iris annuloplasty ring implant.

According to the company, the Iris annuloplasty ring is delivered via a transcatheter-transseptal delivery system. The procedure reproduces the standard surgical approach to repair and reduce the size of a dilated mitral annulus. The Iris device is a complete ring designed to be used as a stand-alone device, or in combination with other technologies in patients with severe mitral regurgitation. The system is also capable of being utilized to treat severe tricuspid regurgitation.

The enhanced system was recently utilized to successfully treat two patients with functional mitral regurgitation. These patients were discharged from the hospital on the following day and continue to do well on their latest follow-ups, noted the company.

In Millipede's announcement, Jason Rogers, MD, commented, "This latest-generation Millipede Iris has many improvements and now with the integrated ICE imaging catheter, we are able to implant the semirigid adjustable ring easily and precisely with total procedural times under 2 hours."

Eberhard Grube, MD, added, "The company has been rapidly enhancing the Iris system in preparation for the United States and European Union clinical studies. The continuation of clinical evidence has allowed for a rapid advancement of the delivery catheter and Iris implant while providing a safe predictable tool for the interventionalist."