HEART surgery patients could soon be enjoying quicker recovery, thanks to a new range of devices for video assisted surgery launched by a North Yorkshire company.

Cardiologic Ltd, of Thirsk, will receive up to £10,000 in cash backing, plus advice and help to prepare itself for rapid growth, as a result of its new products for the treatment of atrial fibrillation, the most common cause of disturbance of the heart rhythm and consequent hospitalisation from stroke and heart failure.

In the UK the illness strikes eight per 1,000 men and five per 1,000 women.

The backing has come from York and North Yorkshire's Business Accelerator Network (BAN), which has been developed by Business Link York and North Yorkshire with support and funding from Yorkshire Forward and the European Regional Development Fund.

It identified Cardiologic, which supplies equipment to hospitals in the UK and overseas, as a fast growing company which will need advice to expand.

Martyn Dixon, managing director of Cardiologic, said: "Our existing Atricure System is already widely and routinely used in traditional open chest heart surgery. With the new products, we have entered the field of video-assisted surgery.

"The advantage is that surgery is done through small incisions, typically resulting in less pain and scarring and a quicker recovery time for patients. We expect the use of video assisted thorascopic surgery to grow, following recommendations from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence."

Mr Dixon said the firm had chosen North Yorkshire as its base because of its good home and work environment.

He said: "Membership of the Business Accelerator Network has been helpful to us and is a useful resource for companies like ours which have a strong focus on developing innovative products through research in our specialist sector."

BAN which is actively helping 28 companies in the region and talking to another 25, also includes a "friends" network of 80 private sector companies and public sector organisations that offer extra specialist help, advice, expertise and contacts for high growth companies.

Updated: 10:31 Tuesday, September 20, 2005