How blood-flow forces in pumps affect blood cells using a magnetic levitation device
Official title: Quantifying the Effects of Shear Flow on Blood using a Magnetically Levitated Device
Funded at Rochester Institute of Technology · NIH-11323088 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project measures how the forces inside heart pumps and other blood-contacting devices harm red blood cells and platelets, to help people who need ventricular assist devices.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rochester Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $148,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R16GM153645-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11323088 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with advanced heart failure who use or may need ventricular assist devices, and healthy or patient blood donors willing to provide samples for laboratory testing, would be most directly involved.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not receive blood-contacting devices or whose care is unrelated to pump-induced blood damage are unlikely to see direct benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers built a new machine that uses magnetic levitation to recreate the flow conditions inside rotary blood pumps without introducing extra mechanical contact or heat. They will expose whole human blood to controlled shear rates and exposure times to measure hemolysis (red cell damage) and platelet activation. By isolating shear forces, the device aims to produce cleaner data than prior shearing tools that include bearing or thermal stresses. The team plans to use those data to improve models that predict blood damage and guide safer pump designs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to safer ventricular assist devices and other blood-contacting implants that cause less hemolysis and clotting, reducing complications for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that shear can damage blood cells, but this magnetically levitated device is a novel laboratory approach intended to generate more precise and relevant data.
Where this research is happening
-
Rochester Institute of Technology
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Day, Steven — Rochester Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Day, Steven
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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.