Developing a heart pump for infants needing heart support
Final Pre-clinical Studies for a Ventricular Assist Device for Infants
This study is testing a new heart support device for babies and young children who need help with their hearts, aiming to make it safer and more effective than the current options available.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hershey, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10601060 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a new ventricular assist device (VAD) specifically designed for infants and young children who require mechanical heart support. The current options for these patients are limited, and the existing devices often lead to serious complications. The study involves pre-clinical testing of the Penn State Infant VAD, which has shown promising results in animal studies, demonstrating safety and effectiveness without significant complications. The goal is to ensure that this device can provide reliable heart support while minimizing risks associated with existing technologies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are infants and young children under the age of one who require mechanical circulatory support due to heart conditions.
Not a fit: Patients who are older than one year or those who do not require mechanical heart support may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a safer and more effective heart pump option for infants, potentially improving their chances of survival and recovery.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success with similar approaches in developing heart pumps for pediatric patients, but this specific device is novel and aims to address unique challenges faced by infants.
Where this research is happening
Hershey, United States
- Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr — Hershey, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weiss, William J — Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Weiss, William J
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 below.