Cardiac Device Startup Joined California Accelerator
Harmony Medical has joined a state-based program to advance a device designed to improve access for pediatric heart procedures.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Heart Disease
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Dublin-based Harmony Medical has been selected for the Octane-Mussallem Cardiovascular Accelerator, which supports medical device innovation in California. The company is developing a specialized platform intended to assist surgeons in performing procedures on the beating heart.
Why it matters
This program offers the firm access to U.S. pediatric cardiac centers and clinical experts, aiming to eventually reduce the necessity for traditional open-heart surgery in children. The development follows successful proof-of-concept testing and recent guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Harmony Medical was selected as one of six firms for the Octane-Mussallem Cardiovascular Accelerator cohort. The company has completed beating-heart proof-of-concept testing for its Anchoring Sheath, following feedback from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The players
Harmony Medical
A Dublin-based medical device developer focused on cardiac access technologies and pediatric heart care.
Mussallem Foundation
A private philanthropic organization that provides financial backing to the cardiovascular accelerator program.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
The federal agency responsible for evaluating the safety and efficacy of medical devices before they reach the market.
The details
The company’s lead product, the Anchoring Sheath, is designed to provide a stable and controlled route to the heart during surgical interventions. By anchoring this access point, surgeons can perform cardiac procedures on a beating heart, which may minimize the physiological trauma and recovery time associated with traditional open-heart operations for pediatric patients.
Timeline
The Octane innovation accelerator began supporting companies in 2010.
The selection of the new cohort was reported on September 19, 2026.
Health Landscape
The Octane-Mussallem Cardiovascular Accelerator provides a framework for integrating international startups into the U.S. pediatric cardiology care system. This integration marks a strategic effort to scale pediatric medical device innovations through established regional clinical networks in California.
While this technology remains in the development phase, it represents a shift toward minimally invasive options for children requiring cardiac interventions. Families with questions about current surgical standards for pediatric heart conditions should discuss all available options with their cardiologist.
The takeaway
Advancements in cardiac stabilization technology are actively being pursued to minimize the need for invasive procedures in pediatric populations. Patients and caregivers should monitor clinical trial registries for future updates on novel devices designed to treat complex heart conditions.
Further reading
Learn more about new surgical approaches in Heart Disease.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Business Plus.
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