Transcatheter Technologies said today that it’s adding a new version of its Trinity transcatheter aortic valve implant, designed to be delivered transfemorally, in addition to the existing transapical version of the device.
The transapical approach is performed via an incision between the ribs; in the transfemoral approach the device is introduced via the femoral artery in the thigh.
Regensburg, Germany-based Transcatheter Technologies touts its Trinity valve as the only TAVI device that’s "truly" repositionable, even after full implantation. Trinity is also designed to minimize or eliminate the paravalvular leakage that’s plagued early TAVI devices, according to a press release.
Six-month data from a clinical trial of the Trinity valve showed no incidence of paravalvular leakage.
“We will expand our platform technology with a transfemoral system to complete our truly repositionable Trinity TAVI system. The transfemoral Trinity system will have the same features as our transapical system," CEO Dr. Wolfgang Goetz said in prepared remarks. "The tremendous advantage of Trinity is that even when the valve is completely expanded and anchored above the annulus – unlike currently marketed TAVI systems – the Trinity valve may still be repositioned, retrieved, or kept in the same position. This feature is absolutely unique to Trinity and the reason why we have positioned Trinity as the 3rd-generation TAVI system.”
Earlier this year the company landed the 2nd tranche in its Series B funding round, taking its total raise to more than $7 million.