Disposable MagLev Centrifugal Blood Pump Utilizing a Cone-Shaped Impeller: DISPOSABLE MAGLEV PUMP USING A CONE-SHAPED IMPELLER

Numerical simulation of centrifugal and hemodynamically levitated LVAD for performance improvement

Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) provides an effective artificial support system to the heart patients. Despite the improved life survival rate, complications like hemolysis, blood trauma, and thrombus formation still limit the performance of the blood pump. The geometrical aspects of blood pumps majorly influence the hemodynamics, therefore these devices must be carefully engineered. In this work, several versions of centrifugal blood pumps are simulated using ANSYS-CFX to propose a best compatible design for LVAD. A hemodynamic levitation approach for the impeller is also suggested to overcome the cost and weight issue associated with the magnetic levitation. The blood flow is modeled by implementing Bird-Carreau model and its turbulence is solved using the SST turbulence model. The influence of the blade profile, blade tip width, blade numbers, and splitter blades on the hemodynamic characteristics through the pump is observed. An optimum design of centrifugal blood pump for the assistance of failed ventricle is proposed that can effectively pump the blood from the left ventricle to the ascending aorta. The proposal can be adopted by LVAD designers to have hemodynamically tuned efficient product.

Rotary mechanical circulatory support systems

A detailed survey of the current trends and recent advances in rotary mechanical circulatory support systems is presented in this paper. Rather than clinical reports, the focus is on technological aspects of these rehabilitating devices as a reference for engineers and biomedical researchers. Existing trends in flow regimes, flow control, and bearing mechanisms are summarized. System specifications and applications of the most prominent continuous-flow ventricular assistive devices are provided. Based on the flow regime, pumps are categorized as axial flow, centrifugal flow, and mixed flow. Unique characteristics of each system are unveiled through an examination of the structure, bearing mechanism, impeller design, flow rate, and biocompatibility. A discussion on the current limitations is provided to invite more studies and further improvements.