With more than 500,000 heart bypass procedures performed annually in the United States, improving and simplifying such surgery would positively impact not only those patients, but also their physicians and families.

Dr. Mark H. Genovesi, a leading New York City cardiothoracic surgeon, founded Syncoeur, Inc. in 2005 with the goal of simplifying open-heart surgery, reducing operative complications, and ultimately improving patient outcomes. Dr. Genovesi possesses extensive experience in minimally invasive cardiac surgery – specifically, vessel harvesting for such surgery – and his company holds a patent on a minimally invasive blood vessel harvest device, along with several other patents pending.

Syncoeur’s specific goal, according to Dr. Genovesi, is to improve the patency (openness) and functionality of the harvested saphenous vein, which is taken from the leg and used in open-heart bypass surgery.

The technical challenge that Dr. Genovesi and his team brought to SATOP involved the development of technical drawings to be used to create a prototype of a preservation chamber that would maintain the integrity of a harvested saphenous vein. He decided to approach SATOP for assistance after hearing about the program from Franklin Madison, Jr., technology program director with the Industrial & Technology Assistance Corporation (ITAC) located in New York City.

“By reducing vein injury and damage at the time of harvest and prior to implant, we expect the bypass graft to remain functional for a greater period of time, thereby reducing re-operation and patient mortality,” Dr. Genovesi explained.

SATOP New York Deputy Program Director AJ Lucas paired the Syncoeur Request for Technical Assistance (RTA) with Don Platt, president of Micro Aerospace Solutions, a SATOP Bronze level Alliance Partner in Melbourne, FL.

Platt, who holds a master’s degree in aerospace engineering and deals with fluid flows and CAD modeling on a daily basis, applied his expertise to model the vein wash system and suggest fluid components such as pumps for the project.

“We provided the computer model and design input about the model, as well as associated pumping systems to allow a product to be made and tested,” Platt said. “We created the 3-D model based on Syncoeur’s design ideas and then we went through several iterations changing design parameters slightly until we arrived at the final product.”

Platt’s CAD drawings allowed Syncoeur to build a prototype chamber that currently is undergoing lab testing and, according to Dr. Genovesi, several large medical device companies remain interested in the product and the research validation.

Platt found the Syncoeur RTA to be a perfect match to his talents. “Dr. Genovesi’s team needed help translating a basic design into an actual system with functional components. They didn’t have a background in computer modeling and design and found it useful to see the product in 3-D on the computer. They could then ask for changes/modifications before the final product was designed,” Platt said. “It was very rewarding to apply our background in fluid flow systems and modeling to a project that has the potential to help save and extend lives.”

Dr. Genovesi credits SATOP with allowing his company to overcome a challenge in developing a product that is hoped to make a significant impact on the survival of open-heart surgery patients.  

“I would recommend this program to any small business that is looking for fresh and intelligent input into product development,” he said. “The ability to tap into some of the smartest minds in product creation and development at no cost seemed almost too good to believe, but it’s not!”

About SATOP
The NASA-funded Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program (SATOP), which is managed by the Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce, provides small-businesses with free technical assistance through the expertise of the U.S. Space Program, as well as aerospace contractors, NASA field centers, universities and colleges. These organizations join SATOP as Space Alliance Partners and donate time and expertise to help solve technical challenges for small businesses. Platinum level Space Alliance Partners include AJT & Associates, Jacobs Engineering, Lockheed Martin Space Operations, New Mexico State University, Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, The Boeing Company, United Space Alliance, and the University of Central Florida. SATOP centers are located in Syracuse and Long Island, N.Y.; Titusville, Fla.; Houston; and Santa Fe, N.M. For more information about SATOP, or to request technical assistance, please visit www.SpaceTechSolutions.com.

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