Long-term blood pumps
Levitronix is developing a long-term implantable centrifugal LVAD (HeartMate® III) in collaboration with Thoratec Corporation (www.thoratec.com). Similar to the Levitronix CentriMag® extracorporeal blood pump, Thoratec HeartMate® III System is based on bearingless motor technology that combines drive, magnetic bearing, and pump rotor functions into a single unit. Since HeartMate® III System is designed for destination therapy, it also incorporates fault-tolerancey to provide a high degree of reliability. The pump is fabricated out of titanium and all of the blood-contacting surfaces are created using a unique textured surface. The resultant textured surface promotes the formation of a thin layer of compact fibrin and collagen. Over time this surface evolves into a psuedoneointimal lining much like the inner surface of natural blood vessels. When employed on diaphragm pumps, the living surface permits pumping with minimal antiplatelet anticoagulation.

Figure 1: Implantable Ventricular Assist Device (HMIII) under joint development with Thoratec Corporation

Levitronix is also developing a small, lightweight, Extracorporeal Long-Term Blood Pump based on our proprietary bearingless motor technology. The device is fabricated from titanium, and is designed to provide circulatory support for pediatric to adult-sized patients.

Figure 2:Levitronix® UltraMag™ Extracorporeal Long-Term Blood Pump