Cerebral Vascular Model Generation

Treating ischemic stroke

Neuravi is a High Potential Startup (HPSU) based in Galway. The company has developed an innovative clot-retrieving device designed to treat patients with acute ischemic stroke. Ischemic stroke is characterised by the sudden loss of blood circulation to an area of the brain, resulting in a corresponding loss of neurological function. An acute ischemic stroke is caused by thrombotic or embolic occlusion of a cerebral artery and is more common than haemorrhagic stroke. Prior to carrying out costly in vivo trials, the company was required to verify device performance through a series of in vitro studies. However, no cerebrovascular model was commercially available that simulates the specific anatomical challenges relevant to testing the device.

Vascular modelling

The MET Gateway & Neuravi collaborated on an Enterprise Ireland Innovation Partnership project to address this technology gap, by developing an in vitro simulation system designed for testing the performance of their product. As one of GMIT’s core competencies – 3D vascular modelling and expertise in the fabrication of complex non-planar models – the Gateway’s research staff worked with the company to identify a set of performance criteria through medical image analysis of patient specific cerebrovascular anatomy. Once a comprehensive, image-based analysis and reconstruction of 3D cerebrovascular anatomy was carried out, various elastomeric models were fabricated. Each of the models generated closely mimicked both the geometrical compliance and frictional behaviour properties of the native vasculature.

80%

of all strokes are ischemic

month Innovation Partnership Project

€24 million

raised in venture capital funding

year collaboration with a PhD student

The Neuravi & MET partnership

A flow rig design system incorporating the clinically relevant models fabricated was designed and generated, facilitating the in vitro evaluation of the device’s delivery and performance. Since completion of the innovation partnership, GMIT has maintained a high level of interaction with the company and has generated several patient-specific models with varying tortuous characteristics.

This can be further demonstrated in the company’s co-sponsoring of a three year funded PhD through the IRC employment-based programme and applying, with GMIT PI’s, to Horizon 2020 (call: Virtual Community H2020-EINFRA-2015-1). Neuravi is one of the industry representatives on the MET Gateway industry steering committee. The company has successfully secured venture capital funding, including €5.2 million in 2012 and €19 million in 2015.

“The neurovascular models developed by the MET Gateway played an important role in Neuravi’s EmboTrap device development, and we also use these models in training stroke doctors in our technology. The work at GMIT has made an important contribution to the successful treatment of acute ischemic stroke patients with our device.”

Michael Gilvarry – Head of Research & Development, Neuravi

Cerebral Vascular Model Generation

Treating ischemic stroke

Vascular modelling

The Neuravi & MET partnership

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