CARMAT (FR0010907956, ALCAR), the designer and developer of the world’s most advanced total artificial heart project, aiming to provide a therapeutic alternative for people suffering from end-stage heart failure, today announces that, at the Micronora international microtechnology trade fair in Besançon, Eastern France, it received the Microns d’Or Honorary Award for the development and creation of a self-regulated bioprosthetic artificial heart with a proprietary micropump qualified by IREIS[1] and produced by the Pack’aéro Group1.
The Microns d’Or awards innovative microtechnological achievements presented for the first time within the framework of the Micronora trade fair. Consisting of manufacturers and researchers who are active in the field of microtechnology, the jury felt that the CARMAT bioprosthesis is an exceptional example of just what combining micromechanics, electronics, IT and sensors can achieve.
Banque Populaire de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, official partner of the Microns d’Or, presented CARMAT with €1,000 to mark this achievement. The Company decided to donate this money to an engineering university, and thus gave it to Besançon’s École Nationale Supérieure de Mécanique et des Microtechniques (ENSMM, the national engineering institute in mechanics and microtechnologies), a member of the POLYMECA network.
“CARMAT encourages young engineers to become involved in the technological development of innovative projects”, says Marc Grimmé, CARMAT’s Technical Director, adding “Our self-regulating bioprosthesis is the result of a unique combination of technical and medical expertise. Micromechatronics has been a major component in its development. We are very honored to have received this award, which represents recognition, by professionals in this demanding specialty, of the innovative nature of our prosthesis and the quality of the French industrial network united by CARMAT around this project.”
CARMAT, IREIS and the Pack’Aéro group, its partners within the framework of the French industrial strategic innovation Bpifrance contract, are attending the “Zoom Micromechatronics” part of the 2014 Micronora trade fair from September 23 to 26.
About CARMAT: the world’s most advanced total artificial heart project
The only credible response for all cases of end-stage heart failure, which is a real public health issue: CARMAT’s aim is to be able to provide a response to a major public health issue associated with heart disease, the world’s leading cause of death: chronic and acute heart failure. Indeed, this disease currently affects over 20 million patients in Europe and the United States. By pursuing the development of its total artificial heart, CARMAT intends to overcome the well-known shortfall in heart transplants for the tens of thousands of people suffering from heart failure.
The result of combining two types of unique expertise: the medical expertise of Professor Carpentier, known throughout the world for inventing Carpentier-Edwards® heart valves, which are the most used in the world, and the technological expertise of Airbus Group, world aerospace leader.
Imitating the natural heart: given its size, the choice of structural materials and its innovative physiological functions, CARMAT’s total artificial heart could, assuming upcoming clinical trials are successful, potentially benefit the lives of tens of thousands of patients a year whilst ensuring there is no risk of rejection and providing them with an unparalleled quality of life.
A project leader acknowledged at a European level: with the backing of the European Commission, CARMAT has been granted the largest subsidy ever given to an SME by Bpifrance; a total of €33 million. Strongly committed, prestigious founders and shareholders: Truffle Capital, a leading European venture capital firm, Airbus Group, Professor Alain Carpentier, the Centre Chirurgical Marie Lannelongue and the thousands of institutional and individual shareholders who have placed their trust in CARMAT.
For more information: www.carmatsa.com
About IREIS:
IREIS, HEF group research center, is a contract research company specializing in surface engineering. IREIS studies surface properties, improves them by adding new features and develops industrial solutions. To achieve this, it focuses on 3 key areas of expertise: tribology, thin films and plasma sources, diffusion layers and ionic liquid. For further information: www.ireis.fr
About Pack’aéro:
The Pack’Aéro group has over 50 years of experience built around high-precision mechanics, and has over 200 members of staff. The group has three integrated and complementary skill divisions: Pack’Aéro Mécatronique (engineering / mechatronics), which offers complex systems, proprietary or co-designed, integrating mechanics, electrotechnics and electronics; Vignal-Artru Industries (the group’s historical core business), which focuses on high-precision small mechanical parts; and TMD, which offers ‘end-of-range’ treatments including surface treatments, non-destructive testing and painting.
For further information: www.packaero.com
About Micronora: International microtechnology and precision trade fair devoted to leading-edge technology This multi-technology professional trade fair focusing on microtechnology covers a broad range of domains, from R&D to subcontracting, and even production technology. Created 40 years ago, Micronora has expanded regularly and benefits from a strong reputation in France and abroad.
For further information: www.micronora.com
About ENSMM: National engineering institute in mechanics and microtechnologies
ENSMM is the only engineering university in France focusing primarily on microtechnologies. Students receive solid scientific and technological training in mechanical systems engineering and acousto-opto-electronic microsystems, supplemented by training in social and human sciences, languages, management and professional projects. For further information: www.ens2m.fr
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