2000: An air force pilot at age 32 was found to have an atrial septal defect. Due to the stringent health policies for pilots, he was threatened with early retirement. Surgical correction would be grounds for dismissal. A metallic device implant would also halt his career because of it’s permanent nature and unknown long term effects.

He chose the wireless Transcatheter Patch because it is the only proven nonmetallic bioabsorbable device. The defect was effectively repaired and within two months he underwent vigorous physical and pilot medical testing. He was promptly admitted back in the active force because the tests revealed a perfectly normal heart. Over time, the patch was completely replaced by natural cardiac tissue.

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