Recent Advances and Patents on Mechanical Circulatory Support Devices

With continuously increasing numbers of patients with congestive heart failure (CHF), several alternatives to conventional medical treatment have been developed. Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) systems in the form of ventricular assist devices or artificial hearts are among the widely accepted therapy options. To compensate for the shortage of donor organs, major improvements have been made in MCS systems. However, these systems have several limitations that may add to the patient's morbidity and mortality. The aim of this article is to review patents describing MCS devices disclosed in the last two years. Most of the patents disclosed within this time frame were related to continuous flow pumps. The majority of the inventions aimed at minimizing pump size, infection complications, costs, hemolytic properties, thrombogenicity, and power consumption of these devices. Meanwhile, some other inventors focused on building appropriate control systems for continuous flow pumps or ideal cannulae that could avoid ventricular collapse and suction. The current MCS technology still has much room for improvement through such innovations. The development of a viable, long-term MCS system still remains the ultimate goal.