Performance testing of an innovative artificial heart

In-vitro and in-vivo validation of a novel bi-ventricular assist device.



Funding year: 2006



Amount funded: $60,000



Lead researcher:
Dr Daniel Timms BEng(Mech)(Hons)



Research team:
Dr Keith McNeil
Professor Mark Pearcy BSc, PhD
Mr John Dunning BSc, MB, ChB, FRCS, FRCS(C/Th)
Dr Andrew Galbraith MBBS, FRACP, DMedSc



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



Project description:
Heart disease is the developed world’s biggest killer, and the shortage of donor hearts has accelerated the development of mechanical alternatives. In an attempt to produce a suitable device, this research proposal will focus on the progression of a novel bi-ventricular assist device through acute in-vivo animals trials.

Successful development of this innovative device could provide an alternative to heart transplantation. This could help to save the lives of many terminal heart patients each year, as they would not have to wait for untimely death of a donor to provide a suitable heart. Instead, this new generation device would be available immediately, and be almost universally compatible with all patients. It has the potential to dramatically increase a patient’s expected lifetime, and to deliver them a higher quality of life.