The helical flow pump with a hydrodynamic levitation impeller

Yusuke Abe, Kohei Ishii, Takashi Isoyama, Itsuro Saito, Yusuke Inoue, Toshiya Ono, Hidemoto Nakagawa, Emiko Nakano, Kyoko Fukazawa, Kazuhiko Ishihara, Kazuyoshi Fukunaga, Minoru Ono, Kou Imachi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The helical flow pump (HFP) is a novel rotary blood pump invented for developing a total artificial heart (TAH). The HFP with a hydrodynamic levitation impeller, which consists of a multi-vane impeller involving rotor magnets, stator coils at the core position, and double helical-volute pump housing, was developed. Between the stator and impeller, a hydrodynamic bearing is formed. Since the helical volutes are formed at both sides of the impeller, blood flows with a helical flow pattern inside the pump. The developed HFP showed maximum output of 19 l/min against 100 mmHg of pressure head and 11 % maximum efficiency. The profile of the H-Q (pressure head vs. flow) curve was similar to that of the undulation pump. Hydrodynamic levitation of the impeller was possible with higher than 1,000 rpm rotation speed. The normalized index of the hemolysis ratio of the HFP to centrifugal pump (BPX-80) was from 2.61 to 8.07 depending on the design of the bearing. The HFP was implanted in two goats with a left ventricular bypass method. After surgery, hemolysis occurred in both goats. The hemolysis ceased on postoperative days 14 and 9, respectively. In the first experiment, no thrombus was found in the pump after 203 days of pumping. In the second experiment, a white thrombus was found in the pump after 23 days of pumping. While further research and development are necessary, we are expecting to develop an excellent TAH with the HFP.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)331-340
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Artificial Organs
Volume15
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2012 Dec

Keywords

  • Helical flow pump
  • Hydrodynamic bearing
  • Left ventricular bypass
  • Rotary blood pump
  • Total artificial heart

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • Biomaterials
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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