The PediPump: A Versatile, Implantable Pediatric Ventricular Assist Device—Update III

Abstract

The PediPump is a passive magnetic bearing, mixed flow, rotary ventricular assist device designed to provide support for the entire range of patient sizes encountered in pediatrics. Blood enters axially at the inlet and is accelerated and turned in the impeller to exit the pump at an intermediate angle. The size of the PediPump facilitates standard cannulation strategies with substantially downsized components. The program pursues three specific objectives: 1) System engineering: Progress within the last year has focused on the assembly and testing of PediPump prototypes. Initial in vitro hydraulic performance and hemolysis testing were judged satisfactory. 2) Anatomic fitting studies: As part of the PediPump program, three-dimensional modeling techniques based on routine, clinically obtained computerized tomography (CT) scans have been developed. During 2006, the same techniques developed for clinical scans were applied to CT scans obtained from sheep to guide the presurgical planning. 3) Animal studies: Animal implantation of PediPump prototypes commenced in July 2006. A total of four 6 hour acute studies were performed throughout the remainder of the year. In vivo performance was satisfactory and compared well with the in vitro results. Hemolysis levels were low.

Pediatric Ventricular Assist Devices

“…The short-term VAD system is essentially similar to ECMO systems, with the major difference being the absence of an oxygenator. Advantages of the short-term VAD system compared with ECMO include lower priming volumes, adequate left (or systemic) ventricular decompression, lower heparin requirements, less hemolysis, ease of transport, and relatively low costs (19,20). On the other hand, shortterm VAD support generally requires central cannulation, except for a specially designed percutaneous cannula that allows left atrial cannulation through the atrial septum (4).…”

“…The CentriMag system is a continuous-flow device applicable for left, right and biventricular support in adults and children (20,24). The PediMag is a miniaturized version of the CentriMag, intended to be used for patients weighing 10 kg or less.…”

The PediPump: A Versatile, Implantable Pediatric Ventricular Assist Device—Update IV

“…The basic technology that supports the PediPump, known as the "MiniMixedFlow" family of pumps, has been well described previously (2)(3)(4)(5)(6). The PediPump is a mixed-flow, rotary blood pump that employs doi:10.1111/j.1525-1594.2009.00946.x passive magnetic bearings to support the rotor axially, with touch points forward and aft to provide axial support ( Fig.…”

“…Cleveland Clinic was one of the programs that received funding from the PCSP for the development of its PediPump (Cleveland, OH, USA), which is a novel pediatric ventricular assist device (VAD). The PediPump has been described in several previous published reports (2)(3)(4)(5)(6). However, as the PCSP concludes in the Spring of 2009, timing is appropriate for an update of the PediPump's current development status.…”

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Pediatric Circulatory Support Program

“…1). The PediPump employs a mixed-flow rotary pump with a rotor that is suspended on passive magnetic bearings as in the initial design for the adult transcatheter pump 8-11. Primary blood flow is powered by a three-blade impeller, exits through the annulus containing the outflow stator blades and passes over the motor, which provides motor cooling.…”