Product and Technology
Product Insight
Tigerheart™ is an OCT-enabled coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) crossing catheter developed by Lumivascular Inc. (formerly Avinger Inc.) USA. Tigerheart combines user-controlled tip deflection, dual rotational modes (Passive and Active), adaptive rotational power, and onboard OCT visualization to enable safer, faster, and more reproducible intraluminal crossing of complex CTOs.
What Makes Tigerheart Different & Compelling
1. OCT-assisted intraluminal navigation
Real-time OCT window integrated adjacent to the fluted tip with a three-marker directional system visible on the Lightbox console. It enables the operator to orient deflection away from layered vessel structures and toward lumen filling disease minimizing subintimal excursions and avoid unwanted contact with vessel walls.
2. Adaptive Tip Rotational Power
Tigerheart’s drive shaft offers three selectable tip rotational speeds 600, 800 and 1000 rpm that gives operators precise control during lesion crossing. Lower speeds allow gentle engagement and safe blunt microdissection, while higher speeds provide enhanced crossing power for heavily calcified or resistant CTOs.
3. User-controlled deflection + torque
Thumbwheel detents allow incremental tip deflection minimum 30° to maximum 45°. A torque knob provides axial rotation control. This combination enabled Tigerheart to remain in the true lumen and engage the centre of CTO caps in bench testing unlike other microcatheters that tended to track arterial walls.
4. Two mechanical modes: Passive vs Active
The tip of the Tigerheart device offers bidirectional rotation to efficiently engage with lesions-
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Passive (clockwise): A default mode offers blunt microdissection for initial engagement.
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Active (counterclockwise): higher crossing engagement (drilling) for mature, calcified CTOs. Operators can switch modes mid-procedure to balance safety and cutting power.
5. Integrated imaging + mechanical crossing
OCT and directional markers reduce guesswork and help visualize tissue layers, stent struts, collaterals, and guide tip orientation in real time by enabling controlled advancement.
6. Compatibility and workflow
Effective length 135 cm; compatible with 5F (and larger) guide catheters, engineered for standard Cath-lab workflows and single-use sterility.
7. Reduced Contrast Dye Dependency
Tigerheart enables its operators to minimize or even avoid the use of contrast dye during CTO crossing procedures. This is particularly beneficial to patients those suffering from chronic kidney disease or those at risk of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN).
8. Radiation-Free Navigation
Unlike other CTO crossing techniques, Tigerheart’s OCT imaging refrain both practitioners and patients from heavy radiation exposure caused by continuous usage of X-ray fluoroscopy guidance during the procedure.
Device Description
The Tigerheart System consists of three key elements-
1. Tigerheart 4F Catheter- steerable with 135 cm length, compatible with 5F or larger guide catheters.It incorporates a distal imaging window and a rotatable fluted tip with user-controlled deflection.
2. Imaging Sled- An imaging and power connector accessory to the Lightbox (Sled).
3. Lightbox Console- An imaging console that displays the OCT images and powers the catheter (Lightbox L3).
