TRANSMURAL SYSTEMS LLC SBIR Phase II Award,

Endomyocardial biopsies are performed approximately 10,000 times each year worldwide.The procedure suffers large anatomic sampling error because of no current appropriate image guidance.Endomyocardial biopsy is currently performed without targeting, whether under X-ray or ultrasound guidance.This may account for the known low diagnostic yield and high sampling error.MRI operation affords exquisite imaging and delineation of soft tissue beyond what is afforded by X-ray fluoroscopy, CT, and ultrasound guidance.Image-guided myocardial biopsy using MRI might enhance the diagnostic utility and safety of myocardial biopsy in inflammatory or infiltrative cardiomyopathies. Phase II continues development and evalution of this technology.