Meridian Medical Systems, LLC (“MMS®”) has developed microwave-based systems and components that are unique in their ability to measure and monitor temperature at depth, and to heat or cool blood, fluid or target tissue to a specific and controlled target temperature.
This microwave-based technology has been integrated into a selection of system applications that include (but are not limited to) Cardiac and Prostrate Ablation, Blood and Fluid warming, In-Line Air Detection, Breast Cancer Screening Thermography, actual, real-time Brain Temperature Measurement, Sterile Docking, and IV Injection Extravasation Site Monitoring.
MMS®’ core philosophy is “... the heating or cooling of fluid, tissue or other biological matter, without the ability to control and monitor the temperature of the target, should not be attempted”. In pursuit of its philosophy, MMS® has developed unique technological solutions which provide exceptional safety and control.
Radiometry, also referred to as Thermography, is the measurement of electromagnetic radiation. Clinical Radiometry is the measurement of naturally occurring electromagnetic radiation emission from the human body.
Radiometric sensing, which includes both infrared (“IR”) and microwave frequencies, is a passive sensing technique with clinical applications both non-invasive or minimally-invasive. As temperature increases, the intensity of the electromagnetic radiation emissions increase. However, as frequency increases, the depth of detection decreases. For this reason, IR frequencies are limited to the measurement of surface temperature. When compared with IR frequencies, the lower level of emissivity associated with microwave frequencies is more than offset by the increased depth of detection. Microwave Radiometry, therefore, is unique in its ability to measure temperature at depth.
Catheter ablation of the heart is a procedure used to treat a variety of arrhythmias, and is accomplished by threading a thin catheter through a major blood vessel into the heart, under X-ray guidance. The temperature of the tissue during ablation is critical -- too low will result in under-treatment, too high will result in over-treatment, which could be dangerous to the patient.
In heart ablation applications where surface cooling/irrigation is required to prevent overheating of the tissue surface, the catheter tip and the surface tissue will be at or near the temperature of the coolant. Conventional temperature sensors, such as thermisters and thermocouples, have proven to be of little or no use in measuring the temperature of the target tissue.
MMS®’ unique, passive microwave radiometric technology allows the surgeon/electrophysiologist to measure the temperature of target cardiac tissue, at depth, in the heart wall during the ablation procedure, while using surface cooling/irrigation. Microwave radiometry enables optimal energy delivery and lesion control.
MMS®, with a goal of miniaturization to realize optimal reliability, significant cost reduction, and a sustainable supply of critical microwave components, has been developing its own custom-chip technologies for more than a decade. The effort has proven successful, resulting in greatly expanded, potential fields-of-use for the technology, in both minimally-invasive and non-invasive applications.
Miniaturization and cost reduction has enabled integration of passive radiometric sensing to small catheters. Evidence of this is the development of the TEMPASURE™Cardiac Ablation System, which is powered by MMS®’ proprietary chip technology. The system, which provides complete lesion control, with real-time tissue temperature monitoring, will be launched by Advanced Cardiac Therapeutics (“ACT”) to initial European markets in 2012. The TEMPASURE™ System received CE Mark approval in June, 2011.
Greater detail relevant to the cardiac ablation therapies can be found in the Applications list on this site.
The goal of MMS® is to engage with corporate partners in the license of MMS®’ unique microwave-based technologies. MMS®’ microwave expertise, coupled with an experienced technical team will enable its partners to develop, state-of-the-art, next-generation health products.
For further information, please contact MMS at info@mms-llc.com
MMS chip/antenna on a US dime to show scale
Prototype of the TEMPASURE™ cardiac ablation catheter with integrated MMS technology