MedLumics, a Vi Partners portfolio company specializing in optically guided medical devices, has announced the successful treatment of 10 patients in its First-in-Man clinical trial using the AblaView Unipolar Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) System. This pioneering study highlights the potential of real-time optical guidance to enhance atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation procedures, potentially transforming the standard of care for millions worldwide.

Ablation is a medical procedure that involves removing or destroying tissue to treat irregular heart rhythms. In the context of AF, ablation aims to create precise lesions in the heart tissue to disrupt faulty electrical signals causing the arrhythmia.

Conducted under the leadership of renowned cardiologists, the trial utilized MedLumics' proprietary fiber optic technology to provide real-time visualization of catheter-tip contact and tissue changes during ablation. This innovative approach allows clinicians to predict durable lesion formation and identify gaps in ablation lines, addressing a critical challenge in AF treatment: high recurrence rates due to incomplete ablation.

Dr. Atul Verma of McGill University Health Center, a participant in the trial, commented: "For the first time, we have real-time feedback on PFA lesion formation using optics. This is important since traditional electrograms have limited utility for ensuring durable lesions."

The study underscores the significant impact that optical guidance can have on AF treatment efficiency and patient outcomes. By combining advanced imaging with pulsed field ablation, MedLumics' technology offers a novel solution to improve procedural success rates and reduce the need for repeat interventions.

Peter W. J. Hinchliffe, MedLumics' new CEO with over 40 years of experience in the medical device industry, stated: "MedLumics’ unique AblaView technology is truly revolutionary. By enabling clinicians to see and confirm treatments in real time, visualizing catheter tip position, confirming stable wall contact, and delivering uninterrupted ablation lines, we can potentially reduce recurrence rates and improve patient care globally."

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