Tucson, Arizona–based SynCardia received the first patent (no. 11,918,797) related to its next-generation Emperor total artificial heart in March. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has now issued a second patent (no. 12,121,711 B2) for the Emperor heart.
Both patents describe novel technology aimed at eliminating external drive mechanisms. They aim to fully integrate the pumping mechanism within the implanted artificial heart ventricle.
SynCardia already develops both 50cc and 70cc total artificial hearts (TAHs). COO and inventor of the technology, Matt Schuster, said in a news release that the fully implantable versions in development match or exceed the cardiac output of both. However, it has the energy requirements matching those of a human heart.
Schuster said Emperor comprises “a truly pulsatile and balanced system.” It utilizes blood contacting volume displacement technology and eliminates the need for an external pneumatic driver. He called it a “potential complete game-changer for patients and the field.”
“We are committed to creating state-of-the-art technology to benefit heart failure patients across the globe. SynCardia’s mission is to develop the Emperor, which is expected to be the world’s first fully implantable SynCardia Total Artificial Heart (STAH) as an alternative to heart transplantation”, said Patrick NJ Schnegelsberg, CEO. “This is our second patent covering fully implantable heart technology. Given SynCardia’s leadership position in the artificial heart space and our incredible clinical experience with well over 2,000 patients implanted with our current U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved version of the STAH, I see an opportunity for us to rapidly develop and commercialize a fully implantable STAH.”
