# Maglev LVAD with expandable stented inlet and anti-thrombotic coating to improve hemocompatibility

> **NIH NIH R01** · TEXAS HEART INSTITUTE · 2024 · $680,982

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Nearly 5 million people in the USA suffer from heart failure, with approximately 400,000 heart failure-related
deaths occurring yearly. Heart failure causes a significant public healthcare burden and significantly reduces
mobility and quality of life. Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is a promising therapeutic option for end-stage
heart failure patients besides cardiac transplant, which is limited by the number of available donors. However,
severe complications, including bleeding and thrombosis, significantly worsen the long-term outcome in patients
with implanted LVADs. This proposed innovative interdisciplinary effort aims to maximize the LVAD
hemocompatibility from two different fronts: hemocompatible slippery hydrophilic (SLIC) coatings and innovative
stented inlet design. We hypothesize that by using the SLIC coating and innovative design optimization, the
device will achieve excellent hemocompatibility and dramatically reduce blood damage and thrombosis risk. The
objective of this project is to develop a novel magnetic levitated (maglev) LVAD with excellent hemocompatibility
to reduce thrombosis and complication incidents significantly. After a series of in vitro validation testing and
hemocompatibility evaluation, the LVAD prototype will be evaluated and validated in vivo with large animal
models. These breakthrough innovations will bring LVAD technology a giant leap forward, eventually crossing
the threshold of non-inferior outcomes compared to cardiac transplants. Four aims are proposed to complete
this project. In Aim 1 (Optimize SLIC Coatings for Maximum Antithrombotic Response), we will fabricate and
characterize the physical and chemical inhomogeneities of SLIC coatings. The coating will cover the entire
device, including drive system and inlet cannula. The properties and durability of the coatings will be thoroughly
tested. In Aim 2 (Optimize LVAD Design and Develop Novel Stented Inlet to Reduce Thrombosis Risk), we will
use a machine learning-based optimization framework and an innovative stented inlet design to reduce blood
damage and eliminate the risk of thrombosis at the inlet. The device's hemodynamic performance will be
evaluated in vitro by using 2D and 3D particle image velocimetry. In Aim 3 (Design and Evaluate Maglev Drive
System with Heart Rate Sensing for Speed Control), we will develop the Maglev drive system to reduce the
hemolysis and incorporate it with speed control modulation to reduce the occurrence of regional blood
stagnation. Finally, the SLIC LVAD will be validated in Aim 4 (Evaluate In Vitro and In Vivo Hemocompatibility
of the Pump Prototype) by both in vitro blood loop experiments and large-animal models for hemocompatibility
performance and device energy transmission efficiency. This novel device will potentially be developed as
a low-thrombosis-infection-risk therapeutic, a better alternative to cardiac transplant, providing long-
term support to end-stage heart failure pat...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10877968
- **Project number:** 5R01HL166724-02
- **Recipient organization:** TEXAS HEART INSTITUTE
- **Principal Investigator:** Lakshmi Prasad Dasi
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $680,982
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-07-01 → 2027-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10877968

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10877968, Maglev LVAD with expandable stented inlet and anti-thrombotic coating to improve hemocompatibility (5R01HL166724-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10877968. Licensed CC0.

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