Development of DexAide right ventricular assist device: update II

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Engineering
• Biomedical Devices
• Medical Technology

Background:

• The DexAide is a magnetically and hydrodynamically levitated implantable centrifugal pump designed as a right ventricular assist device (RVAD).
• Advancements in medical devices are crucial for managing end-stage heart failure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report recent progress and ongoing development of the DexAide RVAD and a prototype biventricular assist device (BVAD) system.
• To evaluate the performance and reliability of the DexAide RVAD through in vitro and in vivo testing.

Main Methods:

• Redesign and testing of inflow/outflow conduits for the RVAD.
• Development and evaluation of alternative journal bearing materials.
• Completion of 18-month in vitro endurance testing of the RVAD.
• Acute and chronic implantation studies of the DexAide/CorAide BVAD system in calves, including those with induced heart failure.

Main Results:

• Two successful 3-month in vivo experiments with the redesigned RVAD conduits were completed.
• 18-month in vitro endurance testing of the RVAD was successfully finished.
• Acute BVAD implantations in calves demonstrated successful control algorithms and anatomical fit.
• Successful BVAD implantation in a calf with drug-induced chronic heart failure was achieved.

Conclusions:

• The DexAide RVAD has undergone significant development, including successful short-term in vivo and long-term in vitro testing.
• The development of a BVAD system shows potential for treating biventricular heart failure.
• Future steps include validating alternative bearing materials, conducting reliability studies, and seeking FDA approval for clinical trials.