Multiscale Analysis of the interactions between a Novel Total Artificial Heart and the Native Cardiovascular System.
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Bath
Department Name: Mechanical Engineering
Abstract
Over 500,000 people in the UK alone suffer from heart failure, with around 14,000 admitted to hospital each year and 10,000 deaths. For those patients with severe end-stage heart failure, the only hope of long-term survival is a heart transplant. However, fewer than 200 heart transplants are carried out each year in the UK due to a lack of donor hearts. It is vital therefore that alternative treatments are available to prolong the life of a patient until a donor can be found. One such method is the complete replacement of the native heart with a total artificial heart (TAH)
Scandinavian Real Heart AB are developing a novel TAH based on the concept of positive displacement pumps. It is hypothesized that this approach, compared to the traditional rotary pumping method, has major advantages for physiological compatibility. This research will therefore investigate the interactions between the TAH and the native cardiovascular system, assessing the biocompatibility of the device to aid design optimisation and regulatory approval.
The areas of interest that will undergo specific analysis will be quantifying the level of blood damage caused by the TAH due to stasis or turbulent flow and the thermal influence due to the pumping mechanism. This will be achieved through the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to simulate the blood flow within the TAH, and finite element analysis (FEA) to assess the thermal distribution throughout the structure. In addition, the pulse wave that is generated by the pumping cycle, and the effect on the arterial system will also be investigated through the creation of in-house mathematical models.
The benefits of this research would be to aid the design and development of a novel solution to the lack of available heart donors, prolonging the life of potentially thousands of people. This research also will also influence future artificial heart and medical implant designs through the outlining of regions of bio-incompatibility.
Scandinavian Real Heart AB are developing a novel TAH based on the concept of positive displacement pumps. It is hypothesized that this approach, compared to the traditional rotary pumping method, has major advantages for physiological compatibility. This research will therefore investigate the interactions between the TAH and the native cardiovascular system, assessing the biocompatibility of the device to aid design optimisation and regulatory approval.
The areas of interest that will undergo specific analysis will be quantifying the level of blood damage caused by the TAH due to stasis or turbulent flow and the thermal influence due to the pumping mechanism. This will be achieved through the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to simulate the blood flow within the TAH, and finite element analysis (FEA) to assess the thermal distribution throughout the structure. In addition, the pulse wave that is generated by the pumping cycle, and the effect on the arterial system will also be investigated through the creation of in-house mathematical models.
The benefits of this research would be to aid the design and development of a novel solution to the lack of available heart donors, prolonging the life of potentially thousands of people. This research also will also influence future artificial heart and medical implant designs through the outlining of regions of bio-incompatibility.
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/R513155/1 | 01/10/2018 | 30/09/2023 | |||
| 2426107 | Studentship | EP/R513155/1 | 01/09/2020 | 28/02/2024 | Joseph BORNOFF |
| Description | This work focussed on developing a computational model of a positive-displacement artificial heart. The initial phase of work focussed on developing a new modelling methodology for modelling the motion of positive-displacement artificial heart valves. This model used a novel blended weak-strong coupling approach to the fluid flow and structural parts of the model and used overset meshing to create a computational fluid dynamics model. This work was presented at the 2021 European Society of Biomechanics Conference online. The next part has been using this newly developed model and applying it to the Realheart total artificial heart, being developed by Scandinavian Real Heart in Sweden. This model was validated against an in vitro study undertaken at KU Leuven. This work was presented at the 2022 European Society of Artificial Organs in Krems Austria in person. The next phase will focus on developing state of the art blood damage models for the artificial heart, in conjunction with Scandinavian Realheart thanks in part to the Young European Society of Artificial Organs Exchange Award which has funded an exchange visit between the University of Bath and Scandinavian Real Heart. |
| Exploitation Route | This work can be used by others who are also modelling positive displacement artificial hearts who require a modelling approach that is both accurate and efficient, as many of the developed methods are transferrable and generalisable. Additionally, those developing artificial organs can use the results regarding blood damage to improve the operation or design of their device based on the findings to be presented here. |
| Sectors | Healthcare,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Description | The company Scandinavian Real Heart, who are developing the world's first four chamber artificial heart, can use the results generated from this study to improve the design and operation of their device, the Realheart total artificial heart. Additionally, the blood damage modelling will give an insight to the company on how to operate the device safely once inside the body, so that haemolysis, or the damage to red blood cells, can be minimised. This can ensure the device is better than competitor devices, and ultimately lead to market approval in a quicker time. |
| Sector | Healthcare,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Impact Types | Economic |
| Description | Conference Presentation at the Congress of the European Society of Artificial Organs 2021-2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Conference presentation of work regarding the development of a computational model of the Real Heart TAH, including results across a range of operating conditions and validation against an in vitro study. The purpose was to highlight the accurate and efficient developed modelling methodology for positive displacement artificial hearts to other researchers in the field. Discussions were held after presentation regarding the work, with specific focus on modelling stability and high performance computing. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022 |
| Description | Conference Presentation at the Congress of the European Society of Biomechanics 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Conference presentation to fellow researchers and academics about the work done on developing a new modelling approach to positive displacement artificial heart valves using a blended weak-strong coupling approach and overset meshing. Discussions were held after the presentation, as other researchers wanted more information regarding the approach taken and modelling techniques used. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |