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Ann Thorac Surg 2005;80:1887-1892
© 2005 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

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New technology

LIFEBRIDGE: A Portable, Modular, Rapidly Available "Plug-and-Play" Mechanical Circulatory Support System

^a Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
^b Lifebridge, Medizintechnik Gmbh, Ampfing, Germany
^c Department of Cardiology, University of Jena, Jena, Germany
^d Department of Anesthesiology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
^e Institute for Experimental Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
^f Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Unispital Basel, Basel, Switzerland

Accepted for publication March 4, 2005.

^_* Address correspondence to Dr Mehlhorn, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Str 9, Cologne, 50924 Germany (Email: uwe.mehlhorn{at}uk-koeln.de).

PURPOSE: We describe the LIFEBRIDGE, a portable, modular, rapidly available "plug-and-play" mechanical circulatory support system, and report its experimental safety evaluation.

DESCRIPTION: The modular construction consists of a disposable patient module with cardiopulmonary bypass circuit, control module, and base module with power supply, emdedded PC, and user interface. The system weighs about 20 kg, has a modular design, and has semi-automatic priming that allows action within 5 minutes, and a 7-step air elimination program that prevents air embolization.

EVALUATION: In eight pigs (85 ± 10 kg) we investigated this system using central (right atrium and ascending aorta) cannulation (n = 4) or peripheral (iliac) cannulation (n = 4). Pump flows were 5.7 ± 0.2 L/min with central and 4.1 ± 0.2 L/min with peripheral cannulation, yielding sufficient animal perfusion and gas exchange. Using an intraaortic 8-MHz Doppler device, we demonstrated that venous air boluses of up to 100 mL were effectively removed, thus avoiding air embolization. Changing heights between animals and LIFEBRIDGE did not affect its proper action.

CONCLUSIONS: This initial evaluation demonstrates that the LIFEBRIDGE is rapidly available, provides adequate perfusion and gas exchange, and operates safely even under simulated transport conditions.

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