Heart Assist Devices

HeartMate IP

The HeartMate Implantable Pneumatic (IP) LVAS is a heart assist device specifically designed to take over the pumping function of the portion of the heart called the left ventricle. The HeartMate system consists of an implantable blood pump, drive line, Interconnect Cable, and external Drive (pneumatic) Console, which powers the pump.

Implant Location

The HeartMate is implanted in the abdomen. Blood is channeled into the assist device by way of an inflow conduit that is attached to the tip of the heart's left ventricle. Once blood from the natural heart empties into the pump, an external control system triggers pumping. A pusher plate, forcing a flexible polyurethane diaphragm upward pressurizes the blood chamber. This motion propels the blood through an outflow conduit and graft attached to the aorta, the main artery supplying the body with oxygen-rich blood. Valves located on either side of the device's pumping chamber keep blood flowing in only one direction.

The HeartMate is designed to respond to changing flow demands of the body. If a patient's activity level increases, requiring more blood flow, this flow change through the natural heart triggers a similar change in flow of the heart assist device. At rest, when flow demands decrease, flow through the device will also decreases.

The HeartMate Blood Pump

The HeartMate pump itself is a flattened titanium cylinder about two inches thick and four inches in diameter. It weighs about 570 grams (1 ¼ pounds).

The pump has two chambers: the blood chamber and the air chamber. A flexible diaphragm separates these two chambers. The diaphragm moves up and down with pulses of air delivered by the Drive Console.

The inside of the pump has special textured surfaces. One side is made of titanium, a very hard metal with tiny beads that create a highly textured surface, while the other is a textured polyurethane Diaphragm. The textured surfaces help your body form a lining inside the device which mimics the inside of blood vessels. This helps prevent formation of blood clots inside the device. Because of this, an aspirin each day may be the only blood thinner you will need.

The HeartMate pump is able to pump up to 10 liters - that's more than two gallons - of blood flow per minute. The normal healthy heart pumps 5 - 10 liters per minute.

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