Device to improve pacemaker surgery efficiency

South Australian company C.tech (Cardiovascular Technology Pty) has developed the OnePoint Junction Box with an aim to improve pacemaker surgery.

The device is designed to simplify cable connections and support secure connections in conduction system pacing, helping surgeons to more accurately position the pacemaker to the heart.

C.tech has already sold 500 units of the electrogram device to hospitals, heart specialists and multinationals including Boston Scientific, Biotronik and Medtronic, with the sales heading to $1 million.

Founder, Managing Director and Flinders University Cardiology Research Fellow Darius Chapman, with Chief Medical Adviser and Flinders-based Cardiac Clinician and Electrophysiologist Professor Anand Ganesan, said the new TorqView device will put the company on a strong growth trajectory.

“These devices are impressing pacemaker implant physicians and medical device companies by bringing a new level of accuracy to routine and sometimes critical pacemaker surgeries,” Chapman claimed.

The company is now focusing on expanding its product range with a $600,000 capital raising and staff expansion. C.tech has relocated to Flinders University’s New Venture Institute (NVI) at the Tonsley Innovation District for its next stage of production and growth. Staff members coming on board include Flinders Cardiology Researcher Campbell Strong, Head of Manufacturing Ryan Jolly and Quality Controller Aby Jose, who will collaborate with other technology startups in the district to strengthen the medical device hub at Tonsley.

The NVI entrepreneur centre includes 3D printing and other design and manufacture infrastructure, business networking and advisory services as well as contacts with other Flinders clinicians and Flinders University biomedical and mechanical engineering and IT academics.

The device is seeking ISO 13485 Quality Management System certification for crucial monitoring of pacemaker signals during surgery to meet another unmet need in cardiac care when it is launched in 2024, with support from the Flinders University Medical Device Research Institute at Tonsley.

Image: Cardiology specialist Darius Chapman has developed e-devices to improve pacemaker surgery. Image courtesy of Flinders University.