Miniaturization of impeller pump as minimal invasive implanted mechanical heart assist for children & teenagers - KIDmicroBLOODpump

Project summary

• Rationale / Needs to be addressed: Effective heart insufficiency treatment of kids & teenagers is pressing medical need to significantly decrease mortality during heart recovery or transplantation. Main demand is a miniaturised “artificial heart” (i.e. implantable blood pump, “ventricle assist device”) for minimal invasive paediatric surgery. A simple miniaturisation of current “adult designs” strongly increases thrombogeneity risks. • Objectives:R&D on advanced manufacturing for (i) smallest possible, blood-flow optimised design (by metal 3D printing), (ii) surface modification (mirror polish, fullerene & oligoproline films), (iii) implementation of on-device sensors (to monitor clotting) & (iv) removability (“de-flatability” of fixation stent) • Potential applications: safest possible treatment for kids with heart insufficiency by extremely miniaturised VAD. • Impact and potential benefits: Market introduction by FRK planned for 2032 after clinical trials & certification (MDR)