A Compact Heart Pump for Severe Heart Failure
Official title: Development of a Minimally Invasive Single Cannulation, Compact Single Port Pulsatile Ventricular Assist Device (sppVAD) for Total LV Support
Funded at W-Z Biotech, LLC · NIH-11193812 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is creating a new, easy-to-use heart pump to help people with severe heart failure recover or prepare for a heart transplant.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | W-Z Biotech, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,606,652 |
| NIH project number | 5R44HL158430-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11193812 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients experiencing severe cardiogenic shock who need temporary mechanical support for their left ventricle would be ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with less severe heart conditions or those who do not require total left ventricular support may not benefit from this specific device.
What this research studies
Cardiogenic shock is a very serious condition where your heart can't pump enough blood, leading to organ damage and a high risk of death. Current temporary heart support devices often require major open-chest surgery or keep you confined to a hospital bed with limited movement. This new device aims to provide full heart support through a less invasive procedure, allowing patients to move around more easily. The goal is to help patients recover, bridge them to a long-term heart assist device, or prepare them for a heart transplant, potentially even allowing them to go home with the device.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this device could offer a less invasive and more mobile option for temporary heart support, improving recovery and quality of life for patients with severe heart failure.
How similar studies have gone: While existing devices provide some support, this approach aims to combine minimal invasiveness with total left ventricular support and ambulation, addressing a current gap in temporary mechanical circulatory support.
Where this research is happening
-
W-Z Biotech, LLC
Lexington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Topaz, Stephen R — W-Z Biotech, LLC
- Study coordinator: Topaz, Stephen R
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Creating a new device to support heart function in patients with severe heart failure.
This study is testing a new, easy-to-use device that helps people with cardiogenic shock by supporting their heart while letting them move around, making it easier for them to recover and feel better.
-
Improving heart support devices for children with severe heart failure
This study is testing a new heart device designed just for kids with severe heart failure to make their treatment easier and help them move around better, while also improving how well the device works compared to the current options.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.