title: A novel electromechanical drive for a tether-free implantable ventricular assist device.
abstract: A tether-free ventricular assist device (VAD) based on a novel electromechanical drive was prototyped and evaluated. The unit can be adapted for implantation. The device utilizes a bladder-type ventricle taken from a pneumatically driven VAD. In mock loop testing, the unit has met the design capacity of 6 L/min against a pressure head of 150 mm Hg. The efficiency of the device allows it to operate at design flow and pressure for periods of up to 8 h when powered by a single rechargeable battery pack weighing less than 5 kg. The mechanism consists of a seamless sac-type bladder situated between hinged plates actuated by a motor-driven bell-and-crank linkage. Cycle parameters are controlled by a microprocessor-based servomotor drive.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030.
authors.forename: L W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Feldman
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Noon
mesh_terms: D004867:Equipment Design; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D019736:Prostheses and Implants