A unique third generation blood pump was developmented for use as a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) by Mohawk Innovative Technology, Inc. The pump design is based on a novel, patented, hybrid passive/active magnetic bearing system The MiTiHeart® LVAD is a high-efficiency, non-pulsatile centrifugal pump and exhibits extremely low power loss, low vibration, low hemolysis, and high reliability under transient conditions and varying pump orientations.
The initial concept of magnetic levitation bearing was borrowed from MiTi®’s R&D on a liquid oxygen pump for the space shuttle. Development of the initial concept was internally funded until 1996 when MiTi® received a Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Upon successful completion of Phase I that demonstrated the feasibility of the concept, the Phase II award focused on construction and testing of a prototype blood pump. This project was completed in September 2002 with a successful animal testing of a prototype blood pump. A second Phase I SBIR grant was awarded to MiTi® by NIH in 1998 to add a back up hydrodynamic bearing to ensure a safe and reliable pump operation during possible shock loading. The Phase II of this grant was awarded in 2001. This project was successfully completed in June 2004 with a series of in vitro and in vivo animal tests. MiTi® was awarded a combined Phase I and II Fast Track SBIR grant in April 2004 to reduce the size of the prototype pump and incorporate bio- and hemo-compatible coatings. Successful completion of MiTi®’s phase II resulted in obtaining a continuation grant in August 2005 to conduct comprehensive in vitro and in vivo animal tests. The current MiTiHeart® LVAD is a direct result of more than $6 Million R&D funds from NIH and internal company support with an additional $9 Million indirect infusion from other related R&D, for example on magnetic bearings and oil-free rotating machinery.