The Baylor-ABI electromechanical total artificial heart. Accelerated endurance testing.
To test the durability of each part or assembled component of the Baylor-ABI total artificial heart (TAH), the authors performed an endurance test under severe conditions. The TAH was immersed in a saline bath at 42 degrees C, which is 4-5 degrees C higher than normal body temperature. This is an accelerated endurance test because of the elevated temperatures. In this accelerated endurance test loop, the 42 degrees C heated saline was circulated not only in the pump but also outside the pump. During pumping, temperatures of the motor and outside surface of the centerpiece were continuously measured. This testing showed that during almost 4 months of pumping no electromechanical troubles were observed. Both inside (motor) and outside temperatures were stable and the differences in both temperatures were only 3-4 degrees C, demonstrating that heat generation is not a problem. The voltage and current required in this system remained constant, indicating stable and reliable performance. Based on these results, this pump is expected to run continuously over a long duration in a normal physiologic environment. This accelerated endurance test system is very suitable for estimating the influence of heat generation by the actuator of blood pumps. It is also quite useful in validating the durability of various cardiac prosthesis.
Orime
Y
Y
Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030.
Takatani
S
S
Ohara
Y
Y
Tasai
K
K
Naito
K
K
Mizuguchi
K
K
Damm
G
G
Glueck
J
J
Summers
D
D
Noon
G P
GP
D006354:Heart, Artificial; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011475:Prosthesis Failure