Transcatheter tricuspid heart valve repair device developer 4Tech said today it launched a feasibility trial of its TriCinch device designed to treat patients suffering from tricuspid regurgitation.

The TriCinch system is the 1st transcatheter device designed to repair diseased tricuspid heart valves through in interventional procedure, the Galway, Ireland-based company said.

“Today’s standard for treating Tricuspid Regurgitation leaves clinicians and patients with limited options. Along with San Raffaele Hospital and other leading interventional institutions, we are making great progress toward changing the outlook for this neglected disease,” CEO Carine Schorochoff said in a press release.

Tricuspid regurgitation occurs when blood “backflows” into the right side of the heart, and current standard of care is medical management, with surgical intervention marked as “very high risk,” according to the company.

“We are enthusiastic about the growing trend toward transcatheter treatment of all heart valve disease. From my clinical experiences to date, it appears that TriCinch has a chance to refashion the way in which Tricuspid heart valve disease is treated in the future, and we look forward to continuing our efforts to develop and validate the technology in more patients,”  trial investigator Dr. Azeem Latib of San Raffaele hospital said in a prepared statement.