March 27, 2014 — Scientists at CBSET, a not-for-profit preclinical research institute dedicated to biomedical research, education and advancement of medical technologies, are reminding thought leaders in renal denervation that there is a seminal experimental and computational template for the more rational, comprehensive preclinical evaluation and optimization of renal denervation devices that can be utilized during preclinical and clinical development.
“CBSET has been able to provide a unique perspective on the determinants of efficacy in renal denervation devices and has, consequently, enabled the medical device industry to discriminate amongst different technologies and further refine treatment paradigms,” added Elazer Edelman, M.D., Ph.D., chairman and co-founder of CBSET. “Mechanistic research at institutions like CBSET will enhance the community’s ability to overcome early challenges in implementation of novel treatment protocols.”
The CBSET approach was first presented at “TCT 2013” by Edelman* and combines quantitative histopathologic characterization of target microanatomy with computational modeling of energy distribution and ablation. The computational models developed by Rami Tzafriri, principal scientist at CBSET, help explain how to understand the impact of renal denervation and how to optimize this emerging technology. These studies in particular shed light on the importance of treatment parameters such as electrode power and duration, while also revealing the dependence of RF (radiofrequency) energy delivery on the structure of perivascular tissues that vary between individuals. Importantly, these data have broader impact beyond the treatment of drug-resistant hypertension.