EN
IT
 

The invention is represented by a deformable artificial ventricle, able to obtain a cardiac output comparable to that achieved by rigid devices, based on traditional pumping principles. Capable of varying the amount of expelled blood, in both design and post-transplant phases, adapting different patient’s needs. The aim is to provide the full replacement of compromised ventricles, including at least one artificial ventricle by the use of a blood pumping system. The manufacturing method of the device is also incorporated.

Patent Status

GRANTED

Priority Number

102020000015208

Priority Date

24/06/2020

License

ITALY

Market

Implantable biomedical devices for patients with cardiovascular diseases.

Problem

Heart failure is a chronic pathological condition occurring when the cardiac muscle is unable to pump enough blood into the cardiovascular system. This pathology can be associated with one of the two ventricles; however, in the worst case, it involves both cardiac ventricles. Heart failure is an extremely serious disease, which strongly affects patient’s survival, and has devastating consequences on his life.

Current Technology Limits

Artificial hearts, capable of achieving physiologically cardiac output, usually are made using rigid materials, characterised by poor biocompatibility and hemocompatibility. The present invention is represented by a soft, biocompatible and hemocompatible device, able to emulate the pumping function of the human ventricle. The device consists of at least one active layer, mechanically connected and wrapped around a passive, concave, and foldable volume.

Killer Application

Treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Our Technology and Solutions

The device consists of an elastomeric ventricular chamber, representing the collapsible volume in contact with the patient’s blood. Integrating a number of active layers, with at least a soft actuator. Substrate of this latter can be made of materials with different mechanical properties.

Advantages

Advantages are the adaptability and flexibility of the artificial cardiac muscle, due to the use of biocompatible and deformable materials with properties comparable to the myocardial tissue. A damage reduction of the surrounding tissues is also associated.

Cardiac muscle contractile force is adaptable, allowing for an improvement of the pumping efficiency.

The use of the 3D printing simplifies the manufacturing process.

Roadmap

The research group is currently carrying out the European HybridHeart project in which the technology has been developed; at the end is expected to find collaborations with business partners to industrialize the technology in the biomedical field.

Review the Technology
TRL 1
TRL 1
Basic Principles
Basic principles tested
TRL 2
TRL 2
Formulation
Technology concept formulated
TRL 3
TRL 3
Proof of concept
Experimental proof of concept
TRL 4
TRL 4
Laboratory Prototype
Technology validated in lab
TRL 5
TRL 5
Prototype tested on pilot-scale/large-scale
Technology validated in relevant environment (industrially relevant environment in the case of key enabling technologies)
TRL 6
TRL 6
Commercial prototype
Technology demonstrated in relevant environment (industrially relevant environment in the case of key enabling technologies)
TRL 7
TRL 7
Real world validation
System prototype demonstration in operational/real-world environment
TRL 8
TRL 8
First complete and commercial product
System complete and qualified
TRL 9
TRL 9
Full commercial application
Actual system proven in commercial environment (competitive manufacturing in the case of key enabling technologies; or in space)

TRL

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