Overview

At Endpoint Preclinical, we deliver advanced surgical and microsurgical techniques that drive cutting-edge research in both cardiac and pulmonary fields. Our services include the surgical implantation of medical devices, vascular and cardiac repair procedures, the creation of surgical disease models, cardiothoracic and neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, and general surgery procedures.

We support both industry and academia, ensuring that researchers have access to the latest tools and expertise to meet their study needs. These capabilities allow us to support both acute interventions and long-term studies, helping researchers assess device performance, therapeutic efficacy, and disease progression.

Surgical & Microsurgical Services
  • Medical devices

  • Disease model creation

  • Industry & academic applications

  • Hands-on training

Our expertise spans cardiac surgeries, such as myocardial infarction and ischemia/reperfusion models, as well as complex pulmonary procedures. Additional capabilities include heart valve replacement and repair (Aortic, Mitral, Tricuspid, Pulmonary), coronary artery bypass procedures (beating heart and on-pump), left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation, and heart transplantation (orthotropic and heterotopic). Whether you need precise surgical execution or comprehensive training services, our team is equipped to meet your preclinical research needs with reproducibility and accuracy.

Surgical & Microsurgical Services
  • Medical device

  • Disease model creation

  • Industry & academic applications

  • Hands-on training

Why Endpoint?

We provide unparalleled access to expertise in surgical and microsurgical techniques, ensuring that your lab benefits from the most advanced knowledge and skills in the field. Our team comes directly to your lab to lead or collaborate as part of your team, allowing for seamless execution of complex cardiac, vascular, neurological, and orthopedic protocols. This approach enhances your lab’s capabilities, expands your service offerings, and ensures that advanced procedures are carried out with precision and expertise.

Our comprehensive surgical models span a wide range of cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, including myocardial infarction, ischemia/reperfusion, and pulmonary hypertension. In addition to executing these procedures, we provide on-site training in all surgical and microsurgical techniques, allowing your team to maintain and perform them independently. Our team’s collaboration across various preclinical models ensures that services are tailored to the specific needs of your research program.

Surgical & Microsurgical Techniques:

  • Surgical Implantation of Medical Devices: Expertise in implanting devices such as ventricular assist devices (VADs), heart valves, intrathecal pumps, stem cell treatment, and various grafts.
  • Vascular and Cardiac Repair Procedures: Performing vascular grafting, anastomosis, and cardiac repairs, including peripheral graft implantation, arterial-venous fistulas, and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) models.
  • Surgical Disease Models: Creating and refining models for myocardial infarction, pulmonary hypertension, ischemia/reperfusion, valve regurgitation, and more. Microsurgical techniques are employed where necessary, depending on the species and model complexity.
  • Cardiothoracic Procedures: Offering advanced procedures such as chordae tendineae repair and replacement, annuloplasty, lung volume reduction, coronary artery bypass (beating heart/on-pump), heart transplantation, and LAA occlusion.
  • Neurosurgery: Specializing in the treatment of cerebral aneurysms, ischemic stroke, baroreceptor stimulation, and use of dural sealants.
  • General Surgery: Providing services including organ resection, kidney transplantation, urinary incontinence procedures, gastric bypass, and colorectal surgery.
  • Orthopedic Surgery: Performing tendon repair, vertebral body reconstruction, vertebral disc surgery, bone grafting, and plate/pin implantation.
  • Pulmonary Procedures: Advanced pulmonary surgical techniques, including pulmonary embolism models and pulmonary venous banding.
  • Chronic Monitoring and Telemetry: Implementing telemetry systems for long-term, real-time data collection in various models.
  • Microsurgical Techniques: Specializing in microvascular surgeries, including grafting, anastomosis, and treatment of vascular injuries (balloon, pharmacologic). These techniques are often integral to the surgical disease models mentioned above, providing critical insights into cardiac and pulmonary pathologies.

Meet our Surgical & Microsurgical Experts!

Vince Mendenhall

Vince Mendenhall, DVM, PhD

Dr. Vince Mendenhall brings over 50 years of global preclinical surgical experience to the table, working across academia and industry. His expertise spans cardiovascular, neurosurgical, and orthopedic procedures, with an approach grounded in precision, safety, and innovation. View Profile

Dale Groth

Dale Groth, BS, SRS

With almost 30 years of experience and thousands of complex procedures performed, Dale Groth is a distinguished surgical and interventional consultant in preclinical research. His career spans cardiovascular, neurovascular, and general surgery, where he has developed, refined, and executed cutting-edge surgical models. View Profile

Oliver Wearing, PhD

Oliver Wearing, PhD

Oliver Wearing, PhD, brings over a decade of specialized experience in preclinical cardiovascular research. He has developed expertise in ventricular pressure-volume loop data collection and analysis, focusing on both acute and chronic cardiovascular measurements, including blood pressure, sympathetic nerve activity, and blood flow. View Profile

Tim Hacker, PhD

Dr. Tim Hacker is a prominent figure in preclinical cardiovascular research, with over 30 years of experience in developing and studying animal models of cardiac disease. Utilizing advanced surgical and microsurgical techniques, Dr. Hacker provides clients with both surgical and data collection services directly in their labs. View Profile

Applications

Our surgical and microsurgical techniques are applied across a variety of preclinical research areas, some highlights include:

  • Cardiothoracic Surgery & Models: Expertise in performing advanced cardiac procedures and developing models of cardiac disease, such as myocardial infarction and heart failure.
  • Neurosurgical Procedures: Specialized procedures such as aneurysm modeling and treatment, peripheral nerve stimulation, and brain injury models.
  • Vascular Surgery & Models: Creating and refining models of vascular diseases, including graft implantation and DVT formation.
  • Surgical Implantation of Medical Devices: Implanting heart valves, grafts, intrathecal pumps, and other devices.
  • General Surgery & Models: Offering a broad range of procedures including kidney transplantation, organ resections, and gastric bypass.

Related Services

  • Ventricular Pressure-Volume Loops: We offer expert-driven PV loop data collection, analysis, and access to high-end technology, providing both on-site and off-site flexible solutions across all models.

  • Echocardiography: Our echocardiography services provide comprehensive on-site and off-site imaging, interpretation, and analysis, handling thousands of scans annually with portable systems and expert teams.

  • ECG Analysis and Interpretation: Our ECG services handle GLP and non-GLP studies, offering caliper-based and large-scale digital telemetry formats, with full data processing and interpretation.

  • MRI Data Analysis and Interpretation: We specialize in cardiac, neuro, and musculoskeletal MRI, with clinical radiologists and veterinary cardiologist using advanced software for detailed data analysis and reporting.
  • Interventional & Structural Heart Procedures: Our team specializes in advanced interventional procedures and structural heart studies, offering deep expertise in device testing, cardiac models, and therapeutic studies.

  • Biostatistics: We provide advanced biostatistical analysis using SAS, Prism, and R for individual and multimodal studies, supporting robust data interpretation for complex preclinical research.

  • Training: We offer both on-site and off-site training across all service areas, ensuring your team is fully equipped to perform advanced preclinical techniques.