Healthcare Industry News: SynCardia
News Release - October 15, 2009
SynCardia's Companion Driver System Receives CE Mark to Power Total Artificial Heart in Europe
New Drivers Will Triple Implant Capacity by Year-EndTUCSON, Ariz., Oct. 15,--(HSMN NewsFeed)--On Oct. 15, SynCardia Systems, Inc. (www.SynCardia.com), manufacturer of the SynCardia temporary CardioWest™ Total Artificial Heart, announced that its new Companion Driver System has received CE Mark approval to power the Total Artificial Heart in Europe.
“The new fleet of Companion Drivers will supplement the 36 ‘Big Blue’ hospital drivers currently in use, more than tripling implant capacity by year-end,” said Rodger Ford, SynCardia CEO and President. “The Companion Driver will also supply the drivers we need to train the backlog of transplant centers waiting to become certified on the Total Artificial Heart.”
Proven Process Medical Devices, one of the largest medical Original Equipment Manufacturers in the world, has committed to producing 85 Companion Drivers by year-end, in addition to Hospital Carts for the OR/ICU and portable caddies for stable patients.
The Companion Driver is also designed to power SynCardia’s future family of pulsatile devices, including the 50cc Total Artificial Heart and the 10cc, 30cc and 60cc ventricular assist devices (VADs).
In October, SynCardia submitted a Pre-Market Approval Supplement to the FDA for approval of the Companion Driver in the U.S.
Medical professionals can view Companion Driver training units at the following upcoming European medical meetings:
- EACTS, Vienna, Austria, Oct. 17 – 21
- Berlin Symposium: Mechanical Circulatory Support, Berlin, Germany, Nov. 6 – 8
- EUMS, Paris, France, Dec. 2 - 5
CE Mark Approval: Design Examination Certificate (PDF) & Full Quality Assurance Certificate (PDF)
Originally used as a permanent replacement heart, the Total Artificial Heart is currently approved as a bridge to human heart transplant for patients dying from end-stage biventricular failure. The Total Artificial Heart is the only device that provides immediate, safe blood flow of up to 9.5 L/min through both ventricles.
The SynCardia Total Artificial Heart is the first and only FDA, Health Canada and CE Mark approved Total Artificial Heart in the world. There have been more than 800 implants of the Total Artificial Heart, accounting for more than 170 patient years of life on the device.
Source: SynCardia Systems
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