Fully implantable patient-specific Artificial Hearts without External Power

Patient population with end-stage heart failure in the EU grows by 5M annually. Due to donor shortage, only a handful of patients ever receive cardiac transplantation. Unfortunately, this results in 250K deaths every year.

Long-term mechanical circulatory support (MCS) is a solution, but external power needs result in driveline infections and bulky systems limiting patient mobility. An innovative blood turbine device emerged from the parent ERC that can overcome these limitations.

This novel turbine can drive MCS by transferring the available cardiovascular energy to the diseased site without the need of external power.

The proposed passive concept (at TRL 6-7) will realize the long-sought use of ventricle assist devices (VAD) as a destination therapy.

PoC project will enable the timely translation of a disruptive device to the bedside, by completing device optimization, comparative analysis and key preclinical experiments in accordance with the new MDR regulatory framework. Business development, valuation and IPR activities are also budgeted.

Elimination of the bulky power systems and control units allowed three-dimensional printing of this artificial heart from biocompatible resins. This resulted a new “customized” VAD concept that can be precisely tailored for each individual patient needs.

Furthermore, the comparatively low product cost (€1K vs. €120K) will allow access to a major untapped global market reaching 18 million people annually, as many developing countries have no access to expensive MCS systems.

These intriguing business opportunities will be validated, and major commercialization tasks will be completed through a strong team of business mentors, clinicians and cardiovascular device experts.

In addition to the adults with right-heart failure, the developed device will improve the post-operative quality life of children with heart defects that require staged cardiovascular surgeries. Socioeconomic impacts span both the patients and their families.