Monday, March 14, 2005
Berlin Heart EXCOR
Filed under: Cardiac Surgery
, Pediatrics
In an article by The Associated Press, we read about the Berlin Heart, an extracorporeal heart designed for pediatric patients.
The company explains:
The extracorporeal VAD system Berlin Heart EXCOR primarily has a Bridge to Transplant function, i.e. it bridges the waiting period until a heart transplant can take place. In individual cases, the heart of a patient receiving therapy with a Berlin Heart EXCOR has been able to recover sufficiently for the system to be removed, relieving the respective patient of the necessity to have a transplant (application as a Bridge to Recovery).-- Effective protection against thrombogenesis
The inner surfaces of the blood chambers are extremely smooth and are perfected to ensure optimum flow characteristics. The titanium connectors ensure a precision connection between pump and cannulas. Additionally, a heparin coating prevents thrombogenesis.-- Triple safety feature
The pump has three membranes, enabling them to permanently and safely withstand every type of load. Graphite minimises friction between the membranes. The colouring of the membranes makes it easy to monitor their position immediately at all times.--Two valve systems
Berlin Heart blood pumps are available with alternative types of valve systems: a tilting disc and a polyurethane velum valve.
The mechanical tilting-disk valve has proved its reliability in long-term applications. The polyurethane velum valve operates inaudibly. Another advantage: the valve and pump surfaces which make contact with blood are made of the same material.--Easy air bleeding
When connecting pumps to cannulas, all air inside must be withdrawn. For this reason every blood pump is fitted with a de-airing stub, thereby enabling easy and safe removal of air pockets.
According to the manufacturer, pumps come in various sizes: from a blood pump for infants at 10 ml stroke volume, to a blood pump with a tilting-disk valve at 80 ml stroke volume.
According to the article, the company is trying to bring Berlin Heart EXCOR to the US market.
More at Berlin Heart AG...
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