A Miniaturized Centrifugal Pump ECMO System Enhances Hemocompatibility in Small Animal Models

Abstract

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a fundamental treatment for cardiovascular and severe pulmonary diseases, with small animal models providing critical insights into organ protection during cardiopulmonary bypass and ECMO therapy. Conventional roller pumps, however, induce hemolysis and organ injury through repetitive compression-shear exposure, severely limiting their utility. While centrifugal pumps reduce shear stress and are effective in large animal ECMO, their flow range and priming volume are unsuitable for small animals. Here, we present a miniaturized, fully integrated ECMO system with an optimized centrifugal pump tailored for small animal models. The system reduces shear stress, minimizes blood damage, and enhances organ protection. Integrated multi-parameter sensors enable real-time monitoring of blood flow, pressure, and temperature, thereby streamlining setup and improving perioperative support. In a 6-h experiment, the system demonstrated significant hemolysis suppression, improved renal function (with reduced levels of Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin, or NGAL), and stable hemodynamics. This innovation offers safer extracorporeal support for small animal studies on cardiovascular diseases, organ recovery, and ECMO mechanisms, furthering research into therapeutic interventions. By addressing key limitations of existing pumps, the system provides a reliable platform for exploring hemodynamic and pathophysiological processes in ECMO treatment, establishing a foundation for future preclinical investigations.