BioVentrix, a startup making less invasive devices to treat congestive heart failure, is seeking $7 million, according to a regulatory filing.

The filing shows that the San Ramon, California, company has already raised more than $500,000.

BioVentrix has developed the Revivent Myocardial Anchoring System that aims to improve cardiac function by restoring the size and volume of the left ventricle in heart patients. After a heart attack, there may be a large scar or aneurysm that alters the shape of the heart making it more rounded. BioVentrix’s therapy excludes this scarred, nonfunctioning portion of the left ventricle to enhance the heart's efficiency.

The device intends to be an alternative therapy to surgical ventricular restoration, which is a much more invasive procedure and most often requires coronary artery bypass grafting to ensure that blood supply to the heart is being maintained.

Because of its invasive nature, many older, frailer patients cannot undergo the surgery. Revivent may be a new option for them, according to the company.

"Long-term follow-up data show that Revivent achieves LV scar exclusion, significant LV volume reduction, and symptomatic improvement in patients," said Dr. Vasco Gama, Cardiovascular Interventional Unit, Department of Cardiology, Gaia Hospital Center, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal, in a company news release in January. "Equally important, these impressive clinical outcomes are achieved without cardiopulmonary bypass or ventriculotomy.”

BioVentrix received CE Mark for its product in late December. Kenneth Miller is the CEO of the company and is named in the filing.

Here is an animation of the company's procedure.
 

-- By Arundhati Parmar, Senior Editor, MD+DI

Related Content

Startup that Makes Sensor to Track Use of Asthma Inhaler Raises $7 million in Series A 

Maker of Prostate Cancer Screening Imaging Device Seeks $2.5 million