There is a need to develop innovative means to attract appropriate medical device industries to develop devices for the treatment and/or diagnosis of cardiovascular, pulmonary, or blood diseases in young children.

Though innovative medical devices are often conceived of and developed in the US, US consumers are frequently the last to benefit. Innovators frequently go to market first in Europe and are now moving toward emerging countries, delaying the medical benefits available to the US population. Can the NHLBI and FDA’s CDRH, working together as sister agencies, develop strategies such as funding opportunities or collaborative... more »

Critical challenges to overcome include the development of non-platelet activating impellers and hypothrombogenic surfaces in modern ventricular assist devices (VADs). Percutaneous and transcutaneous electric drive systems will need to evolve, and clinical research is needed to reduce thromboembolism and bleeding (acquired von Willebrand syndrome). Adverse events may also be further reduced if smaller pumps, for partial... more »

Inadequate sleep is associated with risk of obesity. Electronic media devices interfere with our ability to sleep well - they delay sleep, interrupt sleep, and affect sleep quality. However these devices are addictive and ubiquitous. Can we develop interventions to help people obtain adequate sleep?

There is a serious need to improve implantable cardiovascular devices to eliminate, or at least substantially reduce, the risk of serious adverse events from occurring to more effectively treat patients.

Heart transplant is the ultimate treatment for AHA stage-D heart failure. Due to availability, heart transplants will be limited to about 2,500 per year. Patients with AHA stage-D heart failure has estimated prevalence of 0.2% for age >45. Thus, patients in need far exceed organs available. A failed heart has very challenging environment for cellular therapy. Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) can offload the heart... more »