BioCirc Laboratory

Longer-term mechanical circulatory assist will provide an improved quality of life for thousands of pediatric patients per year in the United States who suffer from ventricular failure secondary to acquired or congenital heart disease. There are currently very few mechanical circulatory support systems available as viable bridge-to-transplant or recovery alternatives.

Pictured above, P.I. Amy L. Throckmorton, PhD

To address this substantial need, we are developing alternative biodevices to augment circulatory flow and pressure in these pediatric patients with biventricular or univentricular physiology. Noninvasive, minimally invasive, and invasive technologies are being designed, developed, and evaluated in this laboratory.

Our research group constitutes an ideal multidisciplinary team to carry out this line of research and bench-to-bedside device development. These biomechanical devices will become an effective therapeutic option for thousands of infants and children suffering from heart failure in the United States – ultimately saving lives and addressing a significant human health problem.

newlab

The BioCirc Lab is based in the brand new, state-of-the-art Engineering East Hall of Virginia Commonwealth University. Located in downtown Richmond, this urban academic and research facility provides cutting edge resources, producing research on the forefront of technology. The BioCirc Lab boasts the latest in hightech computational capabilities running on 6 brand new computers in Lab and access to the VCU superclusters.