BHS Neurosurgeon Earns Patent for work in treating aneurysms

BHS Neurosurgeon Michael Horowitz along with Christopher Bettinger, PhD, a Materials Science and Bioengineering Professor at Carnegie Mellon University recently earned a Patent (number 9,655,999) for their work in developing a platinum coil coated with a bioactive material to use minimally invasive techniques in treating ruptured and non-ruptured cerebral aneurysms.

An aneurysm is a bulge in a blood vessel, causing a weakening of the vessel.

“Cerebral aneurysms affect about 5% of the population in the United States,” says Michael Horowitz, MD. “Once an aneurysm ruptures, the patient has a 60% chance of death or permanent disability.”

Prior to joining BHS’ medical staff in 2013, Horowitz had research opportunities sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that exceeded $1.5 million dollars.

Since joining BHS and Heritage Valley Health System, Horowitz has continued to author papers and conduct clinical research.

The coil will be tested further at the Mayo Clinic Laboratories, with the hope that it can eventually be used in humans. “If our bioactive coil proves to be as effective as it has in the laboratory, we believe that this new coil will represent a major milestone improvement in treating this deadly condition.” states Dr. Horowitz.

For more information about Dr. Horowitz, visit butlerhealthsystem.org.