New ZHAW prototype reduces infection risk
An ultrathin supply line for mechanical circulatory support devices lowers the risk of bacteria entering the body and causing infections in patients with heart failure. Researchers at the ZHAW School of Engineering have developed a prototype.
The number of heart failure cases is rising, posing a major challenge to the healthcare system. A heart transplant remains the gold standard for end-stage treatment – but this is often not possible due to a shortage of donor organs. Mechanical circulatory support devices (MCS) offer an alternative.
However, MCS devices have one significant drawback: the implanted pump needs to be controlled and supplied with power from the outside the body. This is done through a driveline that passes through the skin. Conventional drivelines are rigid and exert constant tension on the skin at the exit site, delaying wound healing and providing a point of entry for bacteria. This can lead to infections, which can have serious consequences for patients.
Thinner drivelines, fewer infections
As part of an international consortium led by ETH Zurich, a team from the ZHAW School of Engineering developed a prototype ultra-thin, flexible supply line in the Conductive Skin project. The prototype consists of several thin strands rather than a single large cable. This reduces the size of the point where the driveline passes through the skin while increasing the flexibility of the driveline. Initial tests showed that the prototype functioned reliably. The skin healed more quickly than with conventional drivelines, and bacteria levels were significantly lower. As a result, the risk of infection was reduced.