The company plans to now incorporate the CPC1 “Connector Covers” into its TAH design. It developed this feature to provide comfort during daily activities, while reinforcing system safety and reliability.
Tucson, Arizona-based Picard said the CPC Connector Covers provide an extra layer of protection over the metal release buttons found on the TAH CPC connectors. These externally connect SynCardia drivers to the artificial heart’s two pneumatic drive cannulas.
Picard expects to integrate the new feature and begin its rollout into standard clinical practices in the U.S. on Jan. 15.
“Patient safety and quality of life are central to everything we do,” said Steve Langford, senior clinical specialist at SynCardia Systems. “This enhancement reflects our ongoing commitment to practical improvements that support confidence and ease of use for both patients and clinicians.”
This marks the latest milestone for the company, which completed an IPO to support market expansion earlier this year. The company said then that it planned to continue funding R&D activities, including those related to its next-generation Emperor system. It designed the Emperor as a fully implantable, driverless version of the Syncardia TAH. It provides pulsatile flow without requiring a pneumatic driver.
Just before the end of 2025, Picard also entered into a $50 million financing deal.
