Structural Heart Device Solutions
Precision electroplating for catheter-based cardiac devices requiring visibility, durability, and miniaturization.
From transcatheter valve systems to septal defect closure devices, ProPlate® supports structural heart innovations with advanced coating and selective plating solutions.
What are Structural Heart Interventions?
Structural heart interventions focus on diagnosing and treating diseases that affect the physical structures of the heart, including the valves, septal walls, and other internal cardiac anatomy. These conditions can interfere with the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively and may lead to symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, heart failure, or stroke.
Historically, many structural heart conditions required open-heart surgery. Over the past two decades, however, significant advances in catheter-based technology have enabled physicians to treat many of these conditions through minimally invasive transcatheter procedures. These procedures allow devices to be delivered through blood vessels using specialized catheter systems, avoiding large surgical incisions and reducing recovery time for patients.
As these procedures continue to evolve, device manufacturers require components that deliver consistent performance, precise placement, and reliable visibility under imaging—areas where advanced electroplating plays a critical role.
Conditions Treated with Structural Heart Devices
Structural heart therapies address a wide range of cardiac conditions involving abnormalities in the heart’s structure:
Aortic Valve Disease
Aortic stenosis occurs when the aortic valve becomes narrowed, restricting blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body. Severe cases can lead to heart failure and increased mortality if untreated.
Mitral Valve Disease
Mitral regurgitation occurs when the valve fails to close properly, allowing blood to leak backward within the heart.
Septal Defects (ASD & VSD)
Openings in the heart wall allow abnormal blood flow between chambers and often require closure using implantable occlusion devices.
Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) Abnormalities
Closure devices are used to reduce stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation.
These applications require highly engineered implantable and catheter-based components, where material performance and precision manufacturing are critical.
Our robust metallizing processes are thoroughly designed and maintained to ensure the highest quality standards. Medical Device Quality System: ISO 13485:2016 Certified
Structural Heart Procedures
Many structural heart treatments are now performed using transcatheter techniques, allowing devices to be delivered through vascular access points such as the femoral artery.
These procedures demand precise navigation, controlled deployment, and clear visualization under fluoroscopy—making coating technologies a critical part of device performance.
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)
- A minimally invasive procedure used to replace a diseased aortic valve by delivering and expanding a replacement valve via catheter.
Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair
- Catheter-based techniques improve valve function using implantable devices designed to reshape or reinforce the valve structure.
Septal Defect Closure
- Closure devices are delivered through catheter systems to seal openings in the heart wall and restore normal blood flow.
Working on a structural heart device?
Let’s evaluate your component and identify the optimal plating approach for performance, manufacturability, and scale.
Engineering Challenges in Structural Heart Devices
Structural heart devices must operate within complex cardiovascular environments while maintaining precision and reliability.
Key Challenges
ProPlate® Solutions
Miniaturization of Delivery Systems: Smaller profiles improve patient outcomes but increase design complexity
Selective plating enables thinner wall designs and tighter tolerances
Material Compatibility: Devices often incorporate dissimilar materials
Plating supports bonding and performance across material interfaces
Durability & Mechanical Performance: Components must withstand flexing, deployment, and long-term use
Controlled electroplating processes ensure adhesion and consistency
Structural Heart Components We Support
Structural heart procedures rely on a wide range of highly specialized medical devices designed to navigate the vascular system and operate within the heart.
These systems must be highly flexible, durable, and capable of precise navigation through complex cardiovascular anatomy.
Many of these components rely on precision coatings to enhance manufacturability, visibility, and device performance.
- Transcatheter heart valves
- Occluder devices for septal defect closure
- Embolic protection devices
- Catheters, guidewires, and delivery systems
ProPlate Capabilities for Structural Heart Devices
ProPlate® supports structural heart device manufacturers with advanced electroplating and selective plating solutions tailored to small, highly engineered medical components.
- Radiopaque marker bands for enhanced device visibility
- Gold and platinum electroplating for catheter and implant components
- Selective plating for complex geometries and tight tolerances
- Micro-scale electroplating for small, high-precision assemblies
- Process development support from concept through commercialization
Why ProPlate®?
Proven Development Support
We support programs from early development through commercialization.
Selective Metal Plating Expertise
Our processes support visibility, performance, and tight tolerances for complex components.
Micro-Scale Component Experience
We work with small, highly engineered device components used in demanding medical applications.
Scale-Up Support
We help bridge development activities to future production requirements.