1. CorInnova
Houston
Amount received: $50,000
CorInnova was awarded $50,000 for its soft robotic, non-blood-contacting biventricular cardiac assist device that is designed to treat heart failure in children.
Heart failure refers to the heart not pumping properly. While heart failure can be attributed to smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure and other factors in adults, children can be born with a congenital heart defect or a pump failure. According to the American Heart Association, about 1% of all newborn infants will have a structural heart defect. Children can be born with holes in their hearts, which will cause a mixing of blood in the heart and result in over circulation failure. A viral infection can damage normal heart tissues and cause pump failure.
Children have to go through surgery to repair a congenital heart defect. Medication can typically help with pump failure.