The MiniACcor: constructive redesign of an implantable total artificial heart, initial laboratory testing and further...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Cardiovascular Devices
• Medical Technology

Background:

• The Aachen Total Artificial Heart (ACcor) has been developed for over a decade.
• It serves as a potential bridge to transplant or a long-term cardiac replacement.
• Previous in vivo experiments indicated a need for pump unit optimization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To optimize and redesign the ACcor total artificial heart's pump unit.
• To achieve smaller dimensions, passive filling, and three-component separability.
• To develop the miniaturized MiniACcor for improved artificial heart technology.

Main Methods:

• Redesign of the ACcor pump unit focusing on size reduction and modularity.
• Miniaturization of the external driver/control unit and selection of a new microcontroller.
• Extensive laboratory mock loop testing to validate the MiniACcor design and performance.

Main Results:

• The MiniACcor is approximately 20% smaller and weighs 470 grams.
• The device demonstrated effective pumping capacity between 4.5 and 7 l/min against physiological pressures.
• Key requirements for future compliance chambers and transcutaneous energy transmission (TET) systems were assessed.

Conclusions:

• The redesigned MiniACcor represents a significant advancement in total artificial heart technology.
• Laboratory validation confirms the MiniACcor's potential for effective cardiac support.
• Further optimization and validation are ongoing in collaboration with clinical partners.