Skip to main content

Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin

Menu Search


Trinity College Dublin By using this website you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with the Trinity cookie policy. For more information on cookies see our cookie policy.

      
Profile Photo

Professor Bruce Murphy

Professor in Biomechanical Engineering (Mechanical, Manuf & Biomedical Eng)
PARSONS BUILDING
      
Profile Photo

Professor Bruce Murphy

Professor in Biomechanical Engineering (Mechanical, Manuf & Biomedical Eng)
PARSONS BUILDING


Dr. Bruce Murphy is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical, Manufacturing and Biomedical Engineering, Deputy Director of the Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering, and Principal Investigator (PI) in the Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering and the Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research (AMBER) Centre at Trinity College Dublin (TCD). He runs one of the most successful medical device design incubator labs in the World. To date his lab has spun-out 4 TCD spin-outs: CroĆ­valve, Selio Medical, Proverum and One Projects. The spinouts from his lab have raised over €100M in capital, employ over 100 full time equivalents, and have two devices in clinical trials. Current projects in his lab include: MitrAdapt " a new percutaneous solution for treating patients with mitral regurgitation, PLIO " a new laparoscopic solution to reduce the leakage rates of anastomosis in the GI tract, IndexiTap " a collaboration with TCD"s Academic Unit of Neurology and Beaumont Hospital to understand if enhanced measurement of patient dexterity can better track symptoms of Motor Neuron Disease. His lab is not only involved in translational Biomedical Engineering, he has published in many top journals in Biomedical Engineering. Including the top journal in the field, Nature Biomedical Engineering (IF >25). He is open to collaboration with artists and other professionals if they would like to explore or link aspects of medical device design or biomedical engineering to their work.
  Bioengineering   Medical Devices
Project Title
 The Development of a Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Repair System (CroiValve)
From
1 Oct 2016
To
31 July 2018
Summary
Bruce Murphy and consultant cardiologist Martin Quinn have devised an easy-to-use minimally invasive solution for treating patients with greater than moderate tricuspid regurgitation. This is a significant clinical need with up to 1.6m patients in the US eligible for this therapy. The tricuspid valve is often termed the forgotten heart valve, as surgical interventions are carried out on less than 1% (8,000) of the estimated 1.6m eligible patient population in the US. This is because patients with tricuspid valve disease often have significant co-morbidities and many patients are not candidates for surgery. Even in those who are fit for surgery the risks are high with an operative mortality of between 10% and 35%. Thus there is a significant clinical need for a minimally invasive solution. The technology that we propose to develop uses standard procedures and techniques that are used during pacemaker lead implantation. This approach will ensure safety, ease of use and a high physician adoption rate. The underlying technology relies on the development of an implant that can always be placed in the correct position to inhibit regurgitation of the tricuspid valve. The technology is currently the subject of an Irish patent filing (priority date Sep 2014) and a subsequent PCT filing in Sep 2015. The competitive landscape is reasonably limited. The Cleveland Clinic, Cardio Solutions and Edwards Lifesciences have initiated R&D programs that utilise a similar approach to the one proposed in this application. Galway based 4Tech have a unique solution. While the Mitralign system is a translation of their mitral system to the tricuspid position - this system has many intricacies and may have a low user adoption rate. In summary, the competitive products do not posses the desired user requirements of ease-of-use, adjustability and atraumatic properties that we are proposing. A considerable market opportunity exists in this field, for example: By 2020 there will be approximately 56 million US citizens over the age of 65, utilising a conservative figure of 1.5% of this population experiencing greater than moderate TR (estimated from the Framingham study) equates to 850,000 patients with greater than moderate TR. The cohort of this patient-set that could benefit immediately from treatment due to severe quality of life interfering disease can be determined from De Meester et al, whereby they observed that 10% of patients undergoing a diagnostic procedure had significant TR. Implying that 85,000 patients in the US would have immediate quality of life benefits from a tricuspid intervention. An estimated total US market of $1.7Bn exists. Potentially the OUS market would be another $1.7Bn, equating to a global market opportunity of approximately $3.4Bn. The overall objective of this proposal is to develop the CroiValve technology to the value add point that it has been verified in in vivo medium-term pre-clinical studies. Furthermore a robust regulatory, clinical, technical and business plan will be developed in parallel to assembling a rounded team to raise future finance and develop the device through a European regulatory submission and investigational device trials in Europe.
Funding Agency
Enterprise Ireland
Programme
Commercialisation Fund
Project Title
 CTO Re-entry Device Design & Development
From
Dec 2015
To
Nov 2017
Summary
This collaborative research project will focus on the design and development of a re-entry device for the treatment of chronic total occlusions due to peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Currently, the company uses glass and/or silicone models to iterate designs at an early concept stage and this helps to evaluate product performance and product deliverability to the site of the CTO. However, the proposed solution for this project will be dependent on its ability to exit the vessel wall after crossing a CTO in the sub-intimal (SI) space. This is a very delicate procedure which requires both dexterity and finesses by the end-user and will require a novel solution to achieve this technically challenging endpoint. As a result, both the penetration capability and the trackability of the device will have to be developed using more clinically relevant models earlier in the NPD lifecycle. Utilising Prof. Murphy research group's expertise, particularly their capability to successfully penetrate the vessel wall and track though the SI space and their extensive knowledge of the mechanical characterization of vascular tissue will provide the Clearstream with the additional capability they require to develop a next generation CTO device.
Funding Agency
Enterprise Ireland
Programme
Innovation partnership
Project Title
 AMCARE - ADVANCED MATERIALS FOR CARDIAC REGENERATION
From
Dec 2014
To
Nov 2018
Summary
AMCARE develops regenerative therapies which aim to circumvent some of the limitations of current treatments for MI patients. Our rationale is to use biomaterials to deliver cells or growth factors to the heart.Biomaterials are materials in which cells can be encapsulated or attached, can support delivered cell growth and which are tolerated by the body. In this way, delivered therapeutics are retained within the heart tissue for extended periods. In addition, biomaterials provide a protective environment for delivered stem cells and enhance stem cell survival in the harsh conditions of the infarct. By combining regenerative stem cells and growth factors within the same biomaterial, our aim is to maximise regeneration in the heart thanks to the synergistic effects of both therapeutics.
Funding Agency
European Commission
Programme
FP7
Project Title
 Westland mitral valve
From
To
Dec 2017
Summary
We have developed a minimally invasive mitral valve replacement device on a previous Enterprise Ireland commercialization fund. We have continued the development work on this medical device post the Enterprise Ireland funding to assess its safety and efficacy. The device's key attributes lie in the technical features that allow for safe and simple fixation of the prosthesis to the native mitral valve anatomy. The device is currently being tested in large animals and we are open to pursuing licensing agreements with structural heart medical device companies.
Project Title
 The in vivo evaluation of an easy to position transcatheter mitral valve repair/replacement device
From
July 2011
To
Aug 2013
Summary
A ssignificant number of individuals in the developed world suffer from moderate to severe mitral valve disease, however 50-80% of the patients that present themselves at surgical centres are denied surgery due to the high risk of intraoperative death. One of the reasons for a high death rate is the trauma that is associated with open heart surgery. There is a clinical need to treat these patients with a less traumatic minimally invasive technology that will result in minimal post procedure mortality. To meet this need over the last 10 years there has been a drive to develop transcatheter technologies that are capable of repairing the mitral valve of these patients in a minimally invasive manner. These technologies have advanced mainly in two technology branches: (1) leaflet plication and (2) coronary sinus annuloplasty. However these two technologies have a number of drawbacks. Our "gap" or "angle" is that a safe effective technology that is low in profile and easy to deliver will be accepted by cardiologists and heart surgeons as the preferred device due to its user-friendliness. We are developing one of the most straightforward and easy to use devices in the arena of transcatheter mitral valve repair/replacement.
Funding Agency
Enterprise Ireland
Programme
Commercialisation Fund
Project Type
Applied collaborative project with NUIG

Page 1 of 2
A. Glynn, A. Consoli, B.P. Murphy, R McCarthy, C Lally, An In vitro assessment of emboli trajectories within a patient specific model: investigation into the influence of thrombus size, mechanical properties, and cerebral blood pressure, 2023 Summer Biomechanics, Bioengineering and bio transport conference, Vail Colorado, 4th - 8th June 2023, 2023, Conference Paper, PUBLISHED
C.D. Hayden, D Murray, D Meldrum, D Geraghty, O Hardiman, B.P. Murphy, Development of a Novel Hand Worn Sensor For Objective Assessment of hand dexterity in Neurodegenerative Conditions, 2023 Summer Biomechanics, Bioengineering, and Biotransport Conference, Vail Colorado, 4th- 8th June, 2023, 2023, Conference Paper, PUBLISHED
A. Glynn, A. Consoli, B. Murphy, R. McCarthy, C. Lally, Establishing an in-vitro system to investigate the influence of thrombus composition on the Shape of M1- Middle cerebral artery occlusion and the optimum thrombectomy strategy, ESOC2023, European Stroke Organisation Conference, May 24-26th, Munich, Germany,, 2023, Conference Paper, PUBLISHED
A. Glynn, S. Johnson, B. Murphy, C. Lally, R. McCarthy, Investigation of the influence of composition, size and cerebral pressure on thrombus migration and deformation in an in vitro model, 28th Bioengineering in Ireland, January 27-28th, 2023., Kildare, Oral Presentation, 2023, Conference Paper, PUBLISHED
C. D. Hayden, D. Murray, D. Geraghty, D. Meldrum, O. Hardiman, and B. P. Murphy, Development of a Novel Dexterity Device for Assessment of Neurological Conditions,", Proceedings of the 28th Annual Conference of the Section of Bioengineering of the Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland., Carlow, Ireland, 2023, 2023, Conference Paper, PUBLISHED
C. D. Hayden, B. P. Murphy, O. Hardiman and D. Murray, Traditional respiratory measurement and the current state of the field, European Network to Cure ALS Symposium, Barcelona, 2023, 2023, Conference Paper, PUBLISHED
C. D. Hayden, B. P. Murphy, D. Gilsenan, B. Nasseroleslami, O. Hardiman, D. Murray, Clinical Validation of a Novel Device for Objective Measurement of Hand Dexterity, 34th International Symposium on ALS/MND, Basel, 2023, 2023, Conference Paper, PUBLISHED
Hayden C.D., Murray D., Geraghty D, Meldrum D., Hardiman O., Murphy B.P., Design and Validation of a Novel Hand-Worn Sensor for Assessment of Dexterity in Neurological Conditions, Journal of Medical Devices, Transactions of the ASME, 17, (4), 2023, p045002 , Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
Alix Whelan, E. O'Connor, B. Hughes, M. Hensey, MB, B.P. Murphy, Mitral valve edge-to-edge repair: The importance of a `good bite", 2022 PCR London Valves, London, Nov 2022, 2022, Conference Paper, PUBLISHED
D. Nolan, A. Glynn, S. Porter, x S. Johnson, R. McCarthy, B. Murphy, C. Lally, Understanding the influence of arterial stiffness in acute ischemic stroke, 27th Bioengineering in Ireland, May 20-21st, 2022, Galway, Oral Presentation, 2022, Conference Paper, PUBLISHED
  

Page 1 of 8
Bruce Murphy, Stephen Johnson Barker, Gareth Gallagher, Cristina Purtill, 'A delivery system and method for delivery of an implant to a body lumen', EP24162460, 2024, 13 August 2024, The Provost, Fellows, Scholars and other Members of Board of Trinity College Dublin, Patent, SUBMITTED
Bruce Murphy, Brian Hughes, Alison Whelan, 'A FIXATION DEVICE FOR IMPLANTATION', EP4374826A1;WO2024110578A1, 2022, 13 August 2024, THE PROVOST, FELLOWS, FOUNDATION SCHOLARS, AND THE OTHER MEMBERS OF BOARD OF THE COLLEGE OF THE HOLY AND UNDIVIDED TRINITY OF QUEEN ELIZABETH NEAR DUBLIN, Patent, SUBMITTED
Eimear O'Connor, Bruce Murphy, 'A FIXATION DEVICE FOR IMPLANTATION', CA3226545A1;EP4122425A1;EP4373437A1;WO2023001661A1, 2021, 13 August 2024, The Provost, Fellows, Foundation Scholars, and the other members of Board, of the College of the Holy & Undiv. Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin, Patent, SUBMITTED
Paul Heneghan, Bruce Murphy, Lucy O'Keeffe, Martin Quinn, Conor Quinn, 'A HEART VALVE THERAPEUTIC DEVICE', XXXXXX, 2018, 13 August 2024, Trinity College Dublin, Patent, SUBMITTED
Aiden Flanagan, Conor Greaney, Bruce Murphy, Eimear Dolan, 'Injection Catheter', US2018085555A1, 2016, 13 August 2024, Boston Scientific, Patent, SUBMITTED
Conor Harkin, Garrett Ryan, Bruce Murphy, James Redmond, 'An implantable biocompatible expander suitable for treatment of constrictions of body lumen', XXXXX, 2015, 13 August 2024, Trinity College Dublin, Patent, SUBMITTED
Garrett Ryan, Liam Breen, Bruce Murphy, 'A TREATMENT DEVICE FOR INTERNALLY TREATING A VESSEL WITHIN A BODY', WO2015010963A1, 2013, 12 August 2024, PROVOST FELLOWS & SCHOLARS COLLEGE OF THE HOLY UNDIVIDED TRINITY OF QUEEN ELIZABETH NEAR DUBLIN, Patent, SUBMITTED
Bruce Murphy, James Crowley, Liam Breen, Michael Early, 'Implant Device', EP2478868A1;US2014031928A1;WO2012101190A1, 2011, 12 August 2024, PROVOST FELLOWS & SCHOLARS COLLEGE OF THE HOLY UNDIVIDED TRINITY OF QUEEN ELIZABETH NEAR DUBLIN, Patent, SUBMITTED
Bruce Murphy, John Vard, 'Intravasculature devices and balloons for use therewith', EP2241284A1;EP2241284B1;EP2429447A1;US2012109179A1;WO2010119110A1, 2009, 12 August 2024, National University of Ireland, Galway. Trinity College Dublin, Patent, SUBMITTED
Ray Blowick, Bruce Philip Murphy, 'Intravascular Treatment Device', EP2172242A1;EP2331188A1;JP2012504441A;US2011238154A1;WO2010037870A, 2008, 12 August 2024, National University Ireland, Galway, Patent, SUBMITTED

  


Page 1 of 2
I am an expert in the process of innovating medical technologies. My research focus is the development of novel medical technologies to address validated clinical needs. In this process I build, lead, manage, and mentor teams to develop commercially viable excellent engineering solutions. For example, my lab has translated a heart valve concept from understanding the clinical need, to a solution that formed the key asset in a TCD spin-out. CroĆ­valve has raised over $40M, employs over 30 staff members, and has performed first in human implants, which have demonstrated transformative improvements in symptoms for patients. Another example of my translational research relates to the clinical need of alleviating the symptoms of benign prostate hyperplasia. My lab developed the core technology/IP that formed the technical assets of the TCD spin-out. Proverum has gone on to raise over $55M, employs 30 employees and has finished enrolling patients into a prospective, multi-centre, sham controlled randomised study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the technology developed in my lab. To date, five medical device spin outs were established from research in my lab and I have successfully licensed two technologies. The companies employ over 120 employees and have raised over $150M in capital, the technologies have benefitted over 200 patients to date. My solutions have enhanced quality of life, prolonged life, and enhanced patient outcomes. In summary, my philosophy to Biomedical Engineering is that I believe I have a duty to use my substantial medical device engineering knowledge to improve patient outcomes, which I have done to date and continue to do with novel solutions to address clinical needs. Because of my work TCD has become an internationally renowned university in the field of medical device innovation, TCD recognised this by awarding me the Provost's Innovation Award in 2023.