16 October 2025
One of the main objectives of REBORN is the development of an innovative cardiac patch, designed to regenerate damaged heart tissue after myocardial infarction or other cardiac diseases. To ensure that this patch can be applied effectively and safely, a dedicated delivery system has been designed by project partner Corcym, a global leader in the field of cardiac surgery solutions.
The delivery system has been conceived for minimally invasive procedures, avoiding the need for open-heart surgery. Its purpose is clear: to enable surgeons to safely reach even the most difficult-to-access areas of the heart and to release the patch precisely where it is needed.
The delivery system consists of a slender rigid shaft, equipped with a control handle at its proximal end. This mechanism allows the operator to steer the distal tip, where the patch is uploaded, in multiple directions – up, down, left, right, forward and backward – adapting to the patient’s anatomy and the specific location of the myocardial damage.
Its functioning is based on a simple yet effective sequence of steps:
- Loading – The patch is uploaded into the distal end of the device using fine threads and a dedicated collapsing tool. By pulling them, the patch collapses and is inserted into the cartridge of the delivery system. Then the threads are removed
- Positioning – The device is introduced into the body through a small incision and guided to the target area of the heart.
- Release – Once in place, the mechanism disengages the patch: it unfolds and adheres directly to the cardiac tissue.
- Removal –The delivery system is carefully extracted, leaving the patch securely in position.
Through this approach, the patch can be implanted in a precise, safe, and minimally invasive way, offering significant benefits for patients: reduced surgical risks, fewer postoperative complications, and faster recovery times compared to conventional procedures.
The Corcym delivery system therefore represents a crucial step in transforming REBORN’s scientific innovation into a tangible clinical solution, paving the way for new possibilities in cardiac tissue regeneration.
This article was written in collaboration with Ornella Leropoli, Head of Production Innovation at Corcym, who has been directly involved in the development process of the delivery system.
The Corcym delivery system therefore represents a crucial step in transforming REBORN’s scientific innovation into a tangible clinical solution, paving the way for new possibilities in cardiac tissue regeneration.
Below, a video recorded at Corcym’s headquarters shows the actual functioning of the delivery system.
