End-stage heart failure, affecting millions of people worldwide, requires advanced interventions such as artificial hearts and mechanical circulatory support devices. These life-saving technologies offer hope for patients who are not candidates for heart transplantation or who are waiting for a suitable donor heart. As a freelance recruiting company specializing in the medical device industry, we are excited to explore the latest innovations in artificial heart technology and introduce the leading companies and devices shaping this rapidly evolving field. In this comprehensive article, we delve deeper into the fascinating world of total artificial hearts (TAHs) and left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) that are transforming the lives of millions of patients worldwide.
Heart failure is a chronic condition in which the heart struggles to pump blood effectively, leading to inadequate oxygen and nutrient supply to the body. End-stage heart failure often necessitates advanced interventions, such as heart transplantation or implantation of mechanical circulatory support devices like TAHs and LVADs.
TAHs replace both ventricles of the failing heart, providing full circulatory support for patients. They are typically considered a bridge to transplantation, offering life-saving support until a donor heart becomes available. On the other hand, LVADs are designed to support a single ventricle in patients with advanced heart failure, serving as an alternative to TAHs when single ventricle support is sufficient.
BiVACOR Total Artificial Heart: A Revolution in Continuous-Flow Technology
The BiVACOR Total Artificial Heart is a groundbreaking TAH that uses a rotary blood pump design and continuous-flow mechanism. Its key features include:
- Reduced mechanical complexity: With a single rotating impeller, the BiVACOR TAH simplifies the overall design, minimizing the risk of mechanical failure.
- Increased durability: The impeller is magnetically levitated, reducing friction and wear, which can lead to increased device longevity.
- Smaller size: The BiVACOR TAH’s compact design allows it to fit a wider range of patients, including those with smaller body sizes who may not be suitable candidates for larger, pulsatile TAHs.
The BiVACOR TAH consists of a single centrifugal pump with a magnetically levitated impeller. Blood enters the pump through an inlet, is propelled by the rotating impeller, and exits through an outlet to the rest of the body. The BiVACOR TAH is designed to be adaptable, with its pumping speed adjusted according to the patient’s needs. The device can respond to changes in the patient’s physiological demands, such as increased activity or stress, by adjusting the impeller’s speed to provide the necessary blood flow.
The BiVACOR TAH is powered by an external power source connected to the implanted device via a percutaneous driveline. The driveline is a cable that passes through the skin, enabling the transfer of power and data between the implanted device and the external system. The external power source typically includes rechargeable batteries and a wearable controller, which can be carried by the patient in a belt or shoulder bag. The external controller monitors the device’s performance, allowing healthcare providers and patients to adjust the pump’s speed and other settings as required. Furthermore, the controller is responsible for providing alerts and notifications in the event of any device-related issues.
SynCardia Total Artificial Heart: The Trailblazer of Pulsatile Devices
The SynCardia Total Artificial Heart is a pulsatile, pneumatic TAH that has been in clinical use for several years. It is currently the only FDA-approved TAH for use as a bridge to transplantation. The SynCardia TAH mimics the natural heartbeat by using two ventricular chambers and four mechanical valves, providing pulsatile blood flow.
Key features of the SynCardia TAH include:
- Proven track record: With years of clinical use, the SynCardia TAH has demonstrated its effectiveness in providing life-saving support to patients with end-stage heart failure.
- Pulsatile blood flow: The SynCardia TAH’s design closely mimics the natural heart’s pulsatile blood flow, which may have physiological benefits for patients.
- Modular design: The SynCardia TAH system includes different driver options, allowing for flexibility in patient care settings.
The SynCardia TAH consists of two ventricular chambers and four mechanical valves, which work together to pump blood in a pulsatile manner. The device is pneumatically driven, with compressed air or gas powering the movement of blood through the artificial heart. The SynCardia TAH is synchronized with the patient’s natural atrial contractions, ensuring the appropriate timing of blood flow through the device.
The SynCardia TAH is powered by an external driver, either the hospital-based “Big Blue” driver or the portable Freedom Driver. The driver supplies compressed air or gas to the implanted TAH, enabling the pneumatic pumping action. The Freedom Driver is a smaller, wearable option that allows patients greater mobility and the potential to return home while awaiting heart transplantation.
Carmat Total Artificial Heart: Advanced Biomaterials and Adaptability
The Carmat TAH offers a unique approach to TAH technology, utilizing biocompatible materials and hydraulic actuators to generate pulsatile blood flow.
Some of the key features of the Carmat TAH include:
- Biocompatible materials: The use of advanced biomaterials reduces the risk of clot formation and other complications associated with artificial heart devices.
- Hydraulic actuators: The Carmat TAH uses hydraulic actuators to generate pulsatile blood flow, offering a different approach to TAH design compared to pneumatic devices like the SynCardia TAH.
- Adaptive output: The Carmat TAH includes sensors that detect changes in the patient’s physiological needs and adjust the pump’s output accordingly, making it a highly adaptable option for patients with end-stage heart failure.
The Carmat TAH uses hydraulic actuators to move blood through the device, with biocompatible blood sacs and valves facilitating pulsatile blood flow. The device incorporates sensors that monitor patient conditions and physiological demands, allowing the TAH to adjust its output as needed to provide optimal support.
The Carmat TAH is powered by external batteries connected to the implanted device via a percutaneous driveline. Patients can carry the batteries in a wearable harness, enabling mobility and day-to-day activities. The external power source also includes a controller that monitors device performance and enables adjustments to pump output and other settings as required.
HeartMate 3 and HeartWare HVAD: The Future of Left Ventricular Assist Devices
The HeartMate 3 (Abbott Laboratories) and the HeartWare HVAD (Medtronic) are noteworthy LVADs offering continuous-flow support for patients with advanced heart failure. Both devices feature magnetically levitated impellers and centrifugal blood pumps. Some of the key features of these LVADs include:
- Continuous-flow design: The HeartMate 3 and HeartWare HVAD provide continuous blood flow, potentially reducing the risk of blood clot formation and other complications associated with pulsatile devices.
- Magnetically levitated impellers: Both devices employ magnetically levitated impellers, which reduce friction and wear, potentially increasing device longevity.
- Compact size and weight: The HeartWare HVAD is smaller and lighter than other LVADs, making it suitable for a broader range of patients, including those with smaller body sizes.
Both the HeartMate 3 and HeartWare HVAD consist of a centrifugal blood pump with a magnetically levitated impeller. Blood enters the pump through an inlet, is propelled by the rotating impeller, and exits through an outlet, providing continuous blood flow to the body. These devices are designed to offer long-term mechanical circulatory support for patients with advanced heart failure, serving as an alternative to TAHs for those who can still benefit from the support of a single ventricle.
The HeartMate 3 and HeartWare HVAD are powered by external battery packs and controllers, which are connected to the implanted devices via percutaneous drivelines. The battery packs and controllers can be carried by the patient in a belt or shoulder bag, allowing for mobility and day-to-day activities. The external controllers monitor the devices’ performance and enable adjustments to pump speeds and other settings as required.
The field of artificial heart technology is an exciting and rapidly evolving landscape, with innovative companies and devices pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the treatment of end-stage heart failure. Devices like the BiVACOR TAH, SynCardia TAH, Carmat TAH, HeartMate 3, and HeartWare HVAD are transforming the lives of patients, offering hope and improved quality of life.
As a freelance recruiting firm specializing in the medical device industry, we are dedicated to connecting medical device companies with top talent to drive innovation and save lives. If you’re a medical device company working in artificial heart technology or an expert in the field seeking new opportunities, we invite you to explore our website and connect with us on LinkedIn. Together, we can shape the future of heart failure treatment and improve the lives of millions of patients worldwide.
Future advancements in the field may lead to wireless power transmission, fully implantable systems, and even more durable and adaptable devices, further transforming the landscape of heart failure treatment and improving patient outcomes. By fostering connections between medical device companies and skilled professionals, we can help facilitate the development of these life-changing technologies and contribute to the ongoing progress in artificial heart technology.
