Small, durable heart pump for children
Official title: Development of a Small, Durable, Hemocompatible Centrifugal Blood Pump for Children
Funded at Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr · NIH-11397585 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A child-friendly, compact heart pump is being developed and tested to help kids with severe heart failure while waiting for a donor heart.
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 start | September 1, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $791,705 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL176797-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11397585 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children with severe heart failure who are potential candidates for VAD support and transplant.
✕Less likely to help
Children outside the 10–35 kg weight range or without a potential for VAD-supported transplant may not benefit.
What this research studies
This grant aims to refine a small centrifugal blood pump (the PSU Child VAD) designed for children weighing roughly 10–35 kg. Researchers will conduct 30-day in-vivo tests and iterative design updates to ensure the device is safe, durable, and compatible with pediatric physiology. The project builds on prior animal testing and focuses on achieving reliable blood flow with minimal blood trauma and no organ damage.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this device could provide safer long-term support for children awaiting transplant.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier animal studies showed promising biocompatibility and no end-organ failure, supporting feasibility.
Where this research is happening
-
Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
Hershey, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jhun, Choon-Sik — Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Jhun, Choon-Sik
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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.