A novel device to improve renal blood flow in cardiorenal syndrome

该项目的目的是协助开发一种新型设备，以治疗心肌无力（慢性心力衰竭，CHF）等疾病的肾脏血液输送不良。具体来说，我们的目标是建立一个原型，并在相关的CHF动物模型中测试该设备。慢性心力衰竭是影响10%的60岁以上成年人的主要公共卫生问题。它与高发病率、高死亡率、频繁住院和公共卫生系统的主要费用负担有关。虚弱的心脏肌肉会导致血液无法正常输送到肾脏。肾脏的不良输送会激活循环激素，进而通过对心脏的不利影响进一步损害心脏功能。我们已经开发了一种新型的基于导管的系统，并获得了专利，该系统通过特制的设备来改善肾功能。概念验证研究表明，该装置可以改善CHF患者的肾脏血流量。考虑到心力衰竭这一巨大的公共健康问题，以及肾脏在这种情况下的重要性，一种可以通过导管定位的简单设备的商业潜力是巨大的，永久植入。该设备目前正在由莫纳什大学工程系制造，那里有生物医学设备和材料工程方面的专业知识。随后将在绵羊身上进行一系列概念验证研究，因为绵羊的血管系统大致接近人类的尺寸。患有心力衰竭的绵羊将通过经皮将该装置插入主动脉。将测量肾动脉流量、相关循环激素和心脏超声在基线（部署前）和部署后。我们相信上述研究（如果他们成功）将足以构成明确的概念验证，从而允许设备商业化，最有可能通过与设备公司的许可安排。

The aim of this project is to assist in the development of a novel device to treat poor delivery of blood to the kidneys in conditions such as heart muscle weakness (chronic heart failure, CHF). Specifically we aim to build a prototype and test the device in a relevant animal model of CHF. Chronic heart failure is a major public health problem affecting >10% of the adult population over the age of 60 years. It is associated with high morbidity, mortality, frequent hospitalisation and major cost burden on the public health system. Weak heart muscle results in poor delivery of blood to the kidneys. Poor delivery to the kidneys activates circulating hormones which in turn further impair cardiac function by adverse effects on the heart. We have developed and patented a novel catheter based system for improvement of renal function via a purpose built device. Proof-of-concept studies have shown that the device should improve kidney blood flow in the setting of CHF. Given the huge public health problem of heart failure and the importance of the kidney in this setting, the commercial potential for a simple device that can be positioned via a catheter-based approach, permanently implanted is large. The device is currently being constructed by the Monash University Department of Engineering where expertise exists with regard to biomedical devices and materials engineering. A series of proof-of-concept studies will then be performed in sheep, as the vasculature of the sheep roughly approximates the dimensions of man. Sheep with CHF will have the device inserted percutaneously into the aorta. Measurements will be made of renal artery flow, relevant circulatory hormones and ultrasound of the heart at baseline (pre-deployment) and following deployment. We believe the above studies (should they be successful) will be sufficient to constitute definitive proof-of-concept and thus allow the device to be commercialised, most likely by a licensing arrangement with a device company.