Research into new methods for connecting artificial hearts into the circulatory system

Design and evaluation of new cannulae for bi-ventricular assist devices
 


Funding year: 2009



Amount funded: $25,500



Lead researcher:
Dr Daniel Timms, Transplant Research Fellow, The Prince Charles Hospital



Research team:
Dr John Fraser, Director Critical Care Research Group, The Prince Charles Hospital
Professor Mark Pearcy, Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Queensland University of Technology
Mr Shaun Gregory, Masters Student, Queensland University of Technology



Location of research:
The Prince Charles Hospital, 627 Rode Road, Chermside, Queensland



Project description:
Cardiovascular diseases are attributed with the highest cause of death in the world while the need for heart transplantation far exceeds the supply of donor hearts. The Advanced Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplant Unit at The Prince Charles Hospital is attempting to address this shortfall by actively supporting cardiovascular device research.

Development of an artificial heart has been a major research focus since 2001, for which pre-clinical trials have begun. An in-vitro testing facility has been developed to assist with device development. The connection between the patient and the artificial heart is critical for successful long term support without complications, and is achieved with specially designed cannulae. For example, improper positioning of the inflow cannula may cause a partial obstruction of the inflow orifice and result in substantial flow restriction.

To continue with this project, the research group now wishes to conduct a study into the design of all four required cannulae, and develop these to be used in conjunction with the final design of the artificial heart.