The Bhama-Ratner Artificial Heart and Mechanical Circulatory Sciences Advancement (BRAHMA) Lab is a novel research endeavor to design and implement devices involved in artificial heart and mechanical circulatory support technology. The lab was developed by Jay K. Bhama, MD, who serves as the medical director, and Albert Ratner, PhD, who serves as the engineering director.
Currently supported by the Department of Surgery, the lab focuses on applying a newly designed flow regulating valve to common health care applications that involve mechanical circulation of blood—such as LVADs, ECMO, cardiopulmonary bypass, and hemodialysis. By converting these typically continuous flow devices to pulsatile devices using this innovative valve technology, the group hopes to optimize clinical efficiency and efficacy of these therapies.
The lab also is actively working to reconfigure and design current LVAD technology by introducing wireless energy transfer options that will reduce the size of or eliminate current components that patients must carry with them while on device support, thereby improving safety and quality of life for patients.
Other projects include the design of a novel, miniature, highly portable ECMO device for use by civilian and military first-responders as well as development of an innovative, sensor-driven, implantable drug delivery device for use in the treatment of diabetes and heart failure. As one of only a handful of similarly collaborative medical/engineering labs in the country, the BRAHMA Lab offers a unqiue environment for innovation by bringing engineering and medical/surgical expertise to a common location.