Cases

PhysioHeart is an ex vivo beating heart platform primarily used for structural interventions in preclinical research, but in collaboration with the SIGNET project, it is being transformed into an MR-compatible testing platform to evaluate the effectiveness of MR-guided Electrophysiology ablation (MRgEP) for treating cardiac arrhythmia, aiming to improve patient comfort, safety, and treatment outcomes.

LifeTec Group, through its multidisciplinary collaboration with SINERGIA consortium, is focusing on the research of an ex vivo perfused liver platform, called BioLiver, to reduce and refine animal testing, provide more insights compared to conventional in vitro models, and to offer new services for studies of liver interventions and tissue response to drug treatment.

LifeTec Group has joined the SAFE-CAB project, aimed at developing a new, minimally invasive coronary artery bypass procedure, and they will co-develop a training procedure and a realistic training environment to prepare surgeons and cardiologists to use the new technology.

The PLS project aims to develop a liquid-based incubator for prematurely born babies. With the use of our ex vivo technologies. LifeTec Group is looking into ways to perform pre-clinical testing without the need for animal studies.

Carmat is the designer and developer of the world’s most advanced total artificial heart. LifeTec Group™ was able to develop a test platform with a complete full-blood circulation model in which Carmat’s total artificial heart as well as competitive devices could be incorporated.

AngioSupport is a clinical decision tool to support the cardiac team with treatment planning for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). LifeTec Group designed an interface such that the analysis of stenoses is straight forward, performing interventions is practical, and results are easily viewed.

The iMIT project aimed to develop a new generation of devices that combine diagnosis and therapy in one procedure to improve diagnosis and treatment in minimally invasive procedures, and within LASER, the focus is on developing new instruments for fetoscopic laser coagulation to improve the outcome of the procedure. LifeTec Group contributed to the development of our ex-vivo human, blood-perfused placenta model.

The VPH-CaSE project, in which LifeTec Group is involved, focuses on personalized cardiovascular support and improvements to the PhysioHeart™ ex vivo beating heart model are being made to enhance its usability and lifespan, to evaluate cardiological and cardiac surgical treatments more reliably.

The CarBon project aims at developing new treatment options for large bone defects and osteoarthritis. Within the project LifeTec Group aimed to develop disease models to assess new treatment options.

The Philips Research team developed an innovative ultrasound imaging solution. LifeTec Group helped to establish a passive-heart setup at their facilities to get controllable, in-vivo-like data in a controlled and safe environment, without ethical concerns, and for a lower budget.

Oxiplenish is working on a donor organ transport system (Airdrive). LifeTec Group performed a thorough validation and verification study on the system, covering all necessary parameters, including consultation with regulatory advisory and notified bodies, resulting in optimized performance and continued cooperation with Oxiplenish on the road to CE marking.

Eucardia is working on a Heart Damper Device. LifeTec Group helped quickly and affordably assess and improve their Heart Damper device using the Cardiac BioSimulator and PhysioHeart platforms.

The MUSICARE program developed an innovative catheter-based therapy for cardiovascular pathologies. LifeTec Group conducted research on the use of light and materials to improve its effectiveness.

BIOGEL is a European research program developing hydrogels for medical applications. LifeTec Group created physiologically relevant 3D in vitro and ex vivo platforms to study biomaterial behavior and tissue interaction, improving biomaterial test methods for a more predictable translation to pre-clinical practice.

The BIP-UPy project has developed bioactive implants for intracranial aneurysms and pelvic organ prolapse/stress urinary incontinence. LifeTec Group has developed in vitro/ex vivo model systems to assess their mechanical loading conditions and performance under long-term ex vivo culture.

The Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP) was one of the first devices developed to support failing hearts. LifeTec Group helped to systematically assess the efficacy of the IABP therapy in different simulated conditions using the PhysioHeart platform. The results indicate that IABP support is mostly effective in case of ischemia, leading to a new randomized clinical study at the Catharina Hospital.

HydroZONES aims to regenerate articular cartilage using bio-functional hydrogel-based implants. LifeTec Group developed a 3D ex vivo long-term culture and test system for cartilage implants, allowing for better interpretation of outcomes and predictable translation into pre-clinical practice, thus saving time, risks, costs, and animal lives.

Meliora Medical aimed at bringing to the clinic an innovative surgical motion-preserving solution for neck and back pain, based on a biomimetic design with a shock-absorbing core. LifeTec Group™ has developed a unique dynamic throughput ex vivo osteochondral platform in which native cartilage and bone tissue are kept viable and functional during long-term culture.

This project aimed to develop an innovative sterile bioreactor for heart valve culturing. LifeTec Group created a dynamic bioreactor system in which the scaffold-based valves could be cultured under physiologically relevant hemodynamic and structural loading conditions.