Series Multi-Blood Pump with Dual Activation for Pediatric Patients with Heart Failure
Monday, September 11, 2023
1:00 PM-3:00 PM
BIOMED PhD Research Proposal
Title:
Series Multi-Blood Pump with Dual Activation for Pediatric Patients with Heart Failure
Speaker:
Thomas Palazzolo, PhD Candidate
School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems
Drexel University
Advisor:
Amy Throckmorton, PhD
Professor
School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems
Drexel University
Details:
Clinical teams face continual challenges when treating pediatric acquired and congenital heart disease. In severe cases, pediatric heart disease can progress to premature heart failure (HF), posing an imminent threat to a child’s life. A heart transplant, if available, becomes the only lifesaving option. While waiting, patients may develop unstable cardiovascular physiology and may require support from ventricular assist devices (VADs). These assist the patient’s heart by pumping blood in concert with the ailing left or right ventricles. VAD technologies for adult HF patients readily exist; options for pediatric patients, however, are limited due to patient size, increasing cardiovascular demands of growth, and heterogeneity of pediatric disease, defects and growth rates. Adult devices have been used in children with some success, but operation of VADs off-design is known to increase the propensity for blood cell damage and clotting. There is also no VAD available that can support a pediatric patient across pediatric growth phases.
To address this unmet clinical need, we are developing a novel VAD that: a) integrates multiple blood pumps into a single device housing, and b) facilitates strategic activation of these pumps to boost pressure and flow capacity during growth. This new device has 2 moving components (axial and centrifugal impellers). Magnetic bearings levitate the impellers, facilitating wider clearances, reducing component wear, and lowering fluid stresses, thus mitigating the risk of thrombosis and hemolysis. The compact device delivers physiologic pressures and flows for pediatric patients and has a unique design unlike any VADs available. We have generated compelling preliminary data in support of this design. Next, the innovative activation mechanism that governs strategic operation of both pumps will be integrated and tested.
Our central hypothesis is that this innovative, integration of blood pumps and dual activation operation will provide versatile pediatric cardiac support across growth cycles. This hypothesis will be tested in these Aims: 1) investigate prototypic designs of the activation mechanism to achieve target motility and sealing; and 2) characterize the ability of the activation mechanism and dual-support blood pumps to achieve design requirements through in vitro testing. Our interdisciplinary research team places us in an excellent position to further develop and evaluate this innovative device for pediatric patients.
Contact Information
Natalia Broz
njb33@drexel.edu