Minimally Invasive New Technologies Program (MINT)

Minimally Invasive New Technologies Program (MINT)

Advancing minimally invasive therapeutics through novel device development

The Minimally Invasive New Technologies (MINT) Program is an innovative collaboration between NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and the Weill Cornell Medical College. Through the MINT program, clinicians and engineers develop technologies that advance minimally invasive surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian and beyond.

MINT Brochure
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This unique program, focused on the development and commercialization of medical devices within the non-profit setting, leverages the creativity and experience of practicing clinicians and industry experts at the forefront of their respective fields, ranging from neurological surgery, interventional neuroradiology, otorhinolaryngology, and colorectal surgery to biomedical engineering, intellectual property, and business development. In a collaborative, thought-provoking environment, specialists converge to develop medical technologies and procedure-based solutions to meet today's most significant clinical challenges.

The MINT Process

A structured and rigorous development process guides MINT inventions. From an idea conceived in the operating room, interventional suite, or MINT boardroom, the team evaluates and refines concepts - incorporating clinical, engineering, intellectual property, and business strategy perspectives at each phase throughout the process.

Phase 0: Uncovering Unmet Clinical Needs
Phase 1: Concept Generation
Phase 2: Device Development and Testing
Phase 3: Commercialization

Clearly articulated milestones at each process step enable the MINT team to evaluate project progress and the value created at each phase. Scientific and financial advisory boards, comprised of senior investigators and executives from a wide array of fields, review both new and ongoing projects and provide valuable input that guide technical and business development.

Examples of Current Projects

Endoluminal Surgical Platform (ESP)

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Current endoscopes provide diagnostic and basic therapeutic capabilities widely used in medicine today, however scope instability within the intestine prevents clinicians from using endoscopes as true surgical tools. The MINT team developed a an adjunct device to current endoscopes that enables clinicians to create an isolated, stable, and manipulatable zone to enhance visualization and therapeutic capability of the scope. This current iteration of ESP is just the beginning - this stabilized zone will become a surgical platform supporting new MINT-developed intestinal procedures performed entirely within the channel of the intestine - creating a complete paradigm shift in gastrointestinal surgery.

Spider Silk

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The MINT team is developing a series of novel medical devices based on Spider Silk. Through MINT's partnership with UK-based Oxford Biomaterials, MINT is using this incredibly strong, flexible, and chemically tunable biomaterial to develop new vascular grafts. While many currently available vascular grafts fail shortly after implantation, MINT's Spider Silk grafts promise to better match native vessel properties, better integrate with body tissue, and better resist infection – all common problems with current grafts. MINT's arteriovenous access graft in particular represents a potential quantum leap beyond current graft alternatives available to the growing dialysis patient population. The MINT team is also investigating the application of Spider Silk graft technology to several additional markets, including small diameter vascular grafts and vascular patches.

Spherical Device for Cerebral Aneurysms

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Stenting and coiling are two common endovascular treatments for many types of cerebral aneurysms. However, complex aneurysm geometries or aneurysms located at arterial bifurcations are not adequately treated with existing devices and often require open cranial procedures, which carry with them significant patient risks. The MINT team developed a spherical-shaped device that is ideally suited to treat bifurcation aneurysms and other challenging geometries, redirecting blood flow away from the aneurysms to allow healing. Clinicians can deliver, retrieve, and reposition the Sphere endovascularly, providing significant advantages over stenting and coiling for all aneurysm types.

Zone Isolation and Bypass System

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To treat vascular trauma and diseases, the MINT team is developing a unique device that isolates a segment of vessel for endovascular repair while maintaining blood flow to the distal arterial bed. The Zone device permits for the first time true endolumenal vessel repair, made possible by a working channel through which clinicians can introduce endovascular tools to the injury site. Zone also functions as a triage device that can be inserted percutaneously to prepare a patient for transport to a center for advanced treatment.