Russian Science Foundation supported a Russian-German project of the Institute of BMS

The Russian Science Foundation supported a joint project of the Institute of Biomedical Systems (MIET) and Institute of Pharmacy, Biomedical Materials Group (Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg). The project, which is to be carried out by 2022, aims to solve the issue of the Sputnik's rotary blood pump biocompatibility using an improved design and anticoagulant coating of a new generation.

The researchers of the Institute of Biomedical Systems are the developers of LVAD Sputnik, the first Russian auxiliary blood circulation implant.

Congenital and congestive heart failures are one of the main challenges of modern medicine in Europe and the Russian Federation. While heart transplantation remains the best solution for treating heart failures, in most cases there are not enough donors for all patients, making Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs) the only viable solution. The device ensures the patient's health through implantable axial pumps.

Despite the great success of VADs in clinical practice, there are a number of potential issues which may arise, such as the risk of thrombosis, bleeding, infection and hemolysis. To improve the pump, one of the key research areas is to change the geometric parameters of the pump design and optimize the conductive flow path design, as well as other rotating parts of the implant.

Another key direction of the research is the development of a new anticoagulation coating based on the covalent bonding of the primary heparin layer on a metal base. It will be gradually coated with physically adsorbed heparin layers which will reduce the anticoagulant number, decrease the chance of bleeding and enable the patients suffering from congenital and congestive heart failures to use the implants in the long term.

The joint project will result in a brand-new, optimized axial blood pump design with lower blood cell shear damage and von Willebrand factor. The design and surface coatings improvements can help improve long-term blood compatibility, turning VADs into a possible chronic heart failure therapy option.