CorWave Announces Successful First-in-Human Implant of Pulsatile Wave Membrane-Based LVAD

Jul 10, 2025 22:16 CST Updated 22:16

CorWave

Cardiac Assist Device Developer

CorWaveAnnouncing its first heart pump featuring breakthrough undulating membrane technology ---CorWave LVADCompleted the world's first patient implant.

The first patient has been successfully implanted.CorWave LVADMore than 30 days, the patient has been discharged. And the patientThe patient's self-perceived condition is much better than before the surgery, with no discomfort. The typical late-stage heart failure symptoms of extreme fatigue and shortness of breath have completely disappeared.. No adverse events occurred in the patient within 30 days postoperatively.No device-related complications.

PI Evaluation

"CorWave LVAD"The performance impressed the entire medical team, and the patient's postoperative recovery was heartening. These achievements are highly encouraging for future development."

---Christopher Hayward St Vincent's Hospital

"The surgical procedure is similar to the current implantation of left ventricular assist devices, but this new system can preserve the natural pulse characteristics, which may become a disruptive breakthrough and potentially usher in a new era of circulatory support."

---Paul Jansz

Executive Evaluation

"This world-first success stems from over a decade of steadfast research and development, made possible by the trust of patients, the exceptional medical expertise of the St Vincent's Hospital team, and the unwavering support of our team, investors, and partners who have always believed in our vision. We look forward to collaborating with the scientific and medical communities to usher in a new chapter in circulatory support, significantly improving the lives of patients with advanced heart failure."

---Louis de Lillers CEO of CorWave

CorWave LVADDesign inspiration comes from aquaticAnimal swimming posture, aimed at maintaining the physiological balance of the cardiovascular system. Unlike the current rotary pumps with a continuously constant flow rate,CorWave LVADCan retain the impact of heartbeat on the vascular system, maintain its functional structure by synchronizing with the heart, and automatically adjust blood flow based on the patient's resting or active state.

The unique design of CorWave LVAD aims to address three major clinical issues:

Reduce severe complications associated with traditional LVADs (such as stroke, bleeding, heart failure, or valvular disease);
By supporting patients in resuming daily, occupational, and social activities to improve quality of life;
Promote cardiac function recovery in specific patient populations.

CorWave LVAD

CorWave LVADCan provide an average flow rate of 5 to 6 L/min, thereby offering comprehensive support for patients with end-stage heart failure.CorWave LVADAddressing traditional LVAD indications: "Bridge to Transplant" (BTT) for patients awaiting transplantation; "Destination Therapy" (DT) for patients unsuitable for transplantation, and "Bridge to Recovery" (BTR).

After the pump is implanted, the driveline will provide power through the skin and connect the pump to an external controller and battery.

It has the ability to reproduce physiological pulsatile blood flow, aiming to reduce existing complications and improve patients' quality of life.

CorWave LVADAndThird-Generation Non-Contact Centrifugal PumpTwo Major Differences

Physiological Flow Rate

Blood flows on the membrane at a physiological speed, approaching 1-2 m/s.This membrane exerts limited shear stress on blood cells, thereby maintaining the integrity of the blood, which is different from rotary pumps where blood flows at speeds exceeding 5m/s.

Pulsatile Simulation

AndThird-Generation Non-Contact Centrifugal PumpDifferent,CorWave LVAProvides pulsatile flow, frequency following heart rate, approximately 60 times per minute.

Wave Membrane Technology

Unlike the previous method of using high-speed rotating turbines to propel blood,CorWave LVADAdopted "wave membrane"Technology, which uses a high molecular membrane vibrating up and down to propel blood flow."

“wave membrane”It is a bionic technology inspired by the undulatory motion of marine animals. This movement provides an efficient way for the animals to move through liquid, propelling them through water.CorWave LVADIn the case of polymer membranes, a similar yet opposite relationship occurs: the membrane is fixed, and the liquid (blood) is propelled.

The motion of the wave can generate different membrane geometries, specifically disc-shaped and rectangular.CorWave LVADAdoptedDiscoidA membrane driven by an electromagnetic actuator, causing the polymer membrane to vibrate and converting the propagation of waves along the membrane (like a speaker) into the propulsion of blood.

Due to“wave membrane”Technology,CorWave LVADNot only can it maintain a pulsation like the human body, but it can also restore blood flow, which is different from the limited artificial pulsation provided by traditional LVADs.CorWave LVADIts operation is similar to that of a natural heart: it can faithfully reproduce the ejection (contraction) and filling (diastole) phases without causing the same damage to blood as currently marketed rotary pumps LVADs.

Wave Membrane Technology Advantages

It causes less harm to the blood cells in the blood.
It can generate pulsatile blood flow similar to normal physiological conditions;
The size, weight, and complexity of LVADs manufactured using this technology have been reduced.

These advantages will help reduce complications caused by LVAD.

CorWave LVAD Working Principle

CorWave

CorWaveIs a medical technology company that develops innovative mechanical circulatory support devices.CorWaveA developed cardiac pulsation technology can mimic the flow patterns of the human heart and overcome the limitations of rotary pulsation in left ventricular assist devices (LVADs).