Development of a new blood pump for heart support in babies and children
Official title: Bearingless flux reversal motor for neonatal and pediatric extracorporeal life support applications
Funded at Ension, INC. · NIH-11069156 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new blood pump designed just for babies and young children who need heart support, making it safer and easier to use than older models.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ension, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Butler, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $870,467 |
| NIH project number | 1R44HL178134-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11069156 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are infants and children requiring extracorporeal life support due to cardiac or respiratory failure.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not require cardiac or respiratory support, or those outside the neonatal and pediatric age range, may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating an advanced blood pump system specifically designed for neonatal and pediatric patients who require cardiac and cardiopulmonary support. The innovative pump utilizes a bearingless motor technology to enhance device longevity and reduce complications associated with traditional pumps. By addressing the limitations of existing devices, such as high costs and complex controls, this project aims to improve the safety and effectiveness of life support for young patients. The approach includes the development of a multifunctional system that integrates essential components tailored for pediatric use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer and more effective heart support devices for infants and children, potentially saving lives and improving recovery outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in developing advanced blood pump technologies, but this specific approach utilizing bearingless motors is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Ension, INC.
Butler, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cahalan, Patrick Thomas — Ension, INC.
- Study coordinator: Cahalan, Patrick Thomas
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.