Haermonics and Demcon have been working together since 2016 on a system that aims to save 10,000 lives per year by 2030. This involves an innovative flushing technique that can prevent patients from dying due to complications caused by blood clots after a successful open-heart surgery. The concept, devised by renowned cardiac surgeon Dr. David Koolbergen, is currently being tested in various hospitals across the Netherlands. In August of this year, the final phase of development began, with the ultimate goal of bringing the Haermonics Pure™ to market as a fully CE-certified system.
"Because the test results are so promising, we already started developing the final device in August this year," says Wouter Markus, CEO of Haermonics. This milestone was a great opportunity to formalize the partnership between the two Eindhoven-based companies. "Our collaboration started in 2016 based on mutual trust. This is only possible when you have an open and honest relationship and are a good match. We have now officially sealed this handshake."
10,000 lives saved in 2030
An open-heart surgery can be compared to elite sports. Markus explains: "The team is active for about six hours, working under immense pressure, because any mistake can cost a life. In the postoperative phase, blood clots can form, causing a patient to die due to a seemingly small detail, even though the surgery itself was successful. Our Pure at Heart technology can prevent this. Our goal is to save 10,000 lives by 2030."
Dr. David Koolbergen’s years of experience taught him that when reopening the chest cavity, it only needed to be rinsed with warm saline water. In most cases, this stops the bleeding because the blood’s clotting mechanism starts functioning properly again. The drainage system developed by Haermonics is not very different from this original idea. The system consists of a tube that flushes the pericardial space with a warm saline solution. The drains remain the same—they are connected from the chest cavity to a collection container and linked to a vacuum system. This way, the patient is continuously flushed immediately after surgery.
A shared responsibility for societal impact
Haermonics employs its own engineers to define the necessary specifications for development and to maintain oversight of the final product. They are responsible for the beginning and the end of the process. Everything in between—the development, engineering, and production—is outsourced to Demcon. Markus states, "Demcon has a solid reputation and has taken on this challenge with us. This project is not without risks, considering the long development period associated with medical devices of this kind. They are truly living up to our expectations."
Eric Tielemans, managing director of Demcon’s Eindhoven branch, is also very pleased with the collaboration. "Our ideal client is someone who knows what they are doing, understands their market, and ideally also makes a positive contribution to society. Our engineers not only have a passion for technology but also an intrinsic motivation to make the world a better place. In this project, there is no doubt about that."
Faster development within the right ecosystem
Two and a half years ago, Haermonics moved from Amsterdam to Eindhoven. Markus explains, "In Amsterdam, we were in a building with other companies, but there was little opportunity for collaboration. In Eindhoven, there is a vast technical network, and you become part of the Brainport ecosystem, where we collaborate, share knowledge, and make connections."
"Keeping secrets won’t get you far," Tielemans adds. "In the Brainport region, we drop by each other’s offices for coffee and share ideas. Having an open and honest dialogue with a client, even when discussing difficult matters, is one of the key pillars of a strong collaboration."
About Haermonics
Haermonics is a clinical-stage medtech company that prevents blood-related complications after open-heart surgery. The Haermonics team blends discipline, creativity, and extensive testing with an enviable amount of expertise and experience. Their pioneering product, the Haermonics Pure™, is a highly effective flushing therapy that demonstrably prevents excessive blood loss and the need for costly reoperations following open-heart surgery. This elegant solution provides surgeons with greater insight, improving patients’ recovery and quality of life while also reducing hospital and infrastructure costs.
About Demcon
Demcon (1,000 employees) develops, produces, and supplies technology and innovative products. The Demcon group has locations in Best, Delft, Enschede, Groningen, Maastricht, Münster (Germany), Tokyo (Japan), and Singapore. The company was founded out of the passion of its founders for combining creativity and technical expertise to solve complex challenges. These challenges are both technological and societal, often having a direct or indirect impact on people and their daily lives. Whether it concerns medical solutions, systems that ensure our safety, or sustainable innovations in areas such as water and energy, Demcon contributes to the present and future generations. In addition to developing technical solutions, Demcon is committed to fostering entrepreneurship and investing in talent and education.