TORVAD Technology

 Gentle Dynamics - Synchronous Pulsatility - Smart Pumping

The TORVAD is a Toroidal Ventricular Assist Device. VADs are fully implantable blood pumps that increase cardiac output for patients with heart failure.

The TORVAD produces pulsatile ejections with two independently controlled pistons. One piston acts as a virtual valve while the other rotates around the toroidal pumping chamber to simultaneously aspirate and eject blood by positive displacement. The pistons are magnetically coupled to motors that have precise position and motion control. This technology is completely unique and the only two-piston pump of it’s kind. It is protected by six patents.

Unlike Any Other Pump

 

Gentle Dynamics

The TORVAD operates at low rotational speeds (60-150 rpm). Low rotational speeds generate very low levels of fluid shear stress on the blood, orders of magnitude less than convention impeller-based devices. This has been verified in benchtop and animal testing. Lower blood trauma will reduce adverse events and high rehospitalization rates experienced with current technologies.

 

Synchronous Pulsatility

 

The TORVAD augments the heart by synchronizing pump ejections to the patient’s heart beat, which increases cardiac output and unloads the left ventricle (reference). The TORVAD also produces physiologically pulsatile flow.

 

Smart Pumping

 

The TORVAD has an integrated epicardial sensing lead to measure heart rate and rhythm. Blood pressure is measured with motor current and without the use of any extra sensors. Rhythm and pressure data are analyzed by the pump controller to automatically adjust pump flow and provide optimal blood flow for the patient.