Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a global health crisis affecting an estimated 1.3 billion people. Often referred to as the ‘silent killer’, hypertension is a leading cause of strokes, heart attacks, and chronic kidney disease. Each year, it is responsible for approximately ten million deaths worldwide.

While medications are the standard treatment, they are not always effective for every patient. For those struggling with resistant hypertension, renal denervation offers a promising alternative. This minimally invasive procedure targets overactive renal nerves, which play a crucial role in blood pressure regulation, using advanced medical technology and materials.

The renal denervation catheters market is growing rapidly as efforts increase to ensure that hypertension is detected, diagnosed, and treated. In 2023, the market was valued at $340.4m, and it is projected to grow at a CAGR of 40.2% from 2024 to 2030.

How renal denervation works

Renal denervation involves a catheter-based device being inserted into the femoral artery in the groin. From there, the catheter is guided to the renal arteries, which supply blood to the kidneys. The procedure aims to disrupt the activity of the renal nerves, which are part of the sympathetic nervous system and can contribute to elevated blood pressure when overactive.

Once the catheter is in position, controlled bursts of radiofrequency energy or ultrasound waves are delivered to the renal nerve fibres. These bursts create targeted heat, effectively disrupting the nerve signals responsible for maintaining high blood pressure. The precision of the procedure ensures that only the overactive nerve fibres are affected, leaving the surrounding tissues and the structure of the renal arteries unharmed.

Renal denervation can lead to a significant and sustained reduction in blood pressure for many patients. This improvement can reduce the risk of life-threatening complications such as strokes and heart attacks, providing a vital option for patients whose blood pressure remains uncontrolled despite medication.

Nitinol and advanced materials in renal denervation

The success of renal denervation procedures relies heavily on the sophisticated design of the catheter systems used. Key to this technology is the incorporation of materials such as nitinol, a nickel-titanium alloy prized for its unique properties. Nitinol’s shape memory and super-elasticity make it an ideal choice for medical devices that must navigate the complex vascular system. The ability of nitinol to return to its original shape after deformation ensures that the catheter can safely and efficiently reach the renal arteries without causing damage to tissue along the way.

The electrodes delivering energy during renal denervation are equally critical. These components must provide precise and controlled bursts of energy to ensure effective nerve disruption without causing collateral damage. Many systems use electroplated electrodes to optimise conductivity and durability, ensuring consistent performance throughout the procedure. Additionally, the transmitting wires that carry energy from the generator to the catheter are designed to handle high frequencies while maintaining safety and efficiency, further enhancing the reliability of the procedure.

Thermocouples are essential to this process, providing real-time temperature monitoring at the electrode-tissue interface. These temperature sensors help regulate energy delivery, ensuring the heat generated remains within a therapeutic range that effectively disrupts nerve function while preventing excessive tissue damage. By continuously measuring temperature, thermocouples allow for precise feedback control, enabling the system to adjust energy output dynamically and maintain optimal treatment conditions. This enhances the safety and efficacy of renal denervation, reducing the risk of complications and improving patient outcomes.

Advanced treatments for relieving hypertension

Renal denervation represents a significant advancement in the management of hypertension, particularly for patients who have exhausted other treatment options. By directly targeting the neural pathways that contribute to high blood pressure, the procedure offers a novel approach that goes beyond the limitations of drug therapies. The minimally invasive nature of the procedure also means shorter recovery times and fewer complications compared with more invasive surgical options.

However, as with any medical innovation, challenges remain. The long-term effects of renal denervation are still being studied, and the procedure may not be suitable for all patients. Additionally, access to the technology can be limited by cost and availability, particularly in lower-income regions where hypertension is most prevalent. Ongoing research and investment are crucial to overcoming these barriers and expanding the reach of this life-saving treatment.

Complex solutions for hypertension can be challenging. Working with materials such as nitinol requires expertise that most OEMs do not have in-house. In the report below, Alleima outlines its capabilities when it comes to nitinol and how it can help design and develop complex solutions for medical devices. Alleima is also supporting leading OEMs with electroplating electrodes to increase conductivity or biocompatibility as well as manufacturing high-quality wire for signal transmission and medical thermocouples for accurate temperature measurement. For more information about Alleima’s e-plating and wire forming capabilities visit their website.

To learn more about Alleima’s expertise in nitinol for medical devices, download the document below.