Current detection of Ventricular Septal Defects (VSD) in pediatric patients can be difficult for hard to reach anatomy, such as apical defects, or for multiple VSDs. Existing technology such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), catheterization, and echocardiography can be expensive, dangerous, or does not provide adequate images of these holes in the septal wall. Similarly, state of the art treatment practices have limits in capability. Cardiac Transcatheterization and subsequent implantation of an occlusion device may not succeed, as the occluder may be too close to heart valves or in relation to each other, as in the case of multiple defects.

Oftentimes, the best course of action is open heart surgery, the gold standard of pediatric VSD patient care. However, even in this type of surgery visualizing and repairing VSDs can be difficult. Delineating the borders of a VSD from the right ventricle can be stifled by the complex geometry of the heart wall. Conversely, opening the smooth-walled left ventricle may result in nervous conduction path disturbances as the surgeon dissects the tissue.

This thesis describes the design, fabrication, and testing of a small, integrated camera system for visualizing and aiding in the repair of Ventricular Septal Defects in open surgery. Currently, a device to view VSDs from the left ventricle does not exist, though it is ideal for clearly viewing these congenital heart defects. This device will help solve some of the major problems associated with current imaging and surgical closure of VSDs in children by allowing the surgeon to view VSDs from the left ventricle. Furthermore, this device would include a tool capable of deploying through the hole and grasping a suture to better demarcate its location.

First, current detection and treatment practices and limitations will be discussed, including state of the art echocardiographic techniques, transcatheterization, and open surgery. Next, the investigational device will be described from concept through development. The design process for initial development of the device will be reviewed, including creation of each prototype build. Lastly, preliminary test methods and results will be discussed, concluding with an overall device analysis and description of future work.