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Controllable, handheld injector for intra-operative stem cell treatment for cardiac repair

Injection system that can be used to deliver stem cells to the heart via a catheter for cardiac repair.

Design Award

  • Design Excellence Award Honorable Mention

Project Overview

Treating heart failure by injecting stem cells into the myocardium via an injection device and a needle-tipped catheter is a novel approach that can save lives and significantly improve quality of life. Unfortunately, the current injection devices used to perform this stem cell delivery are manually controlled and are unable to regulate cell flow rate through the catheter and into the myocardium. As a result, this procedure is susceptible to rapid injections (less than 30 seconds) that lead to the reflux of cells through the needle tract and cell damage. While slower injection rates improve cell retention, they insight operator discomfort and hand cramping, reducing the efficacy of the delivery. In both cases, the success of the treatment is severely restrained, limiting the potential of this novel treatment. To improve stem cell delivery and cardiac repair, an automatic injection device that integrates with the procedural syringe and catheter, limits operator intervention, and provides a slow, controlled, and adjustable injection rate is needed to maximize cell retention and enhance clinical success.

Team Picture

From left to right: Lars Krugel, Vanessa Obrycki, Parker Esswein, Gabrielle Zuern, and Macy Frank
From left to right: Lars Krugel, Vanessa Obrycki, Parker Esswein, Gabrielle Zuern, and Macy Frank

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Contact Information

Team Members

  • Parker Esswein - Team Leader
  • Macy Frank - Communicator
  • Gabrielle Zuern - BSAC
  • Vanessa Obrycki - BWIG
  • Lars Krugel - BPAG

Advisor and Client

  • Dr. Melissa Kinney - Advisor
  • Prof. Amish Raval - Client

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