Cleveland clinic rotodynamic pump.
BACKGROUND
It is now accepted that 70% to 80% of patients with end-stage heart failure would benefit from a permanent implanted left ventricular assist device. Previously there was little consideration of the use of nonpulsatile pumps for this function.


METHODS
An extensive 5-year engineering research and development program to develop a permanent implanted nonpulsatile blood pump has been undertaken.


RESULTS
We have developed a continuous-flow blood pump of small size (207 g) and low power requirement (6.5 watts) producing 5 L/min flow with low hemolysis.


CONCLUSIONS
This pump has the potential to be the basis of an innovative ventricular assist system.
Golding
L A
LA
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio 44195, USA.
Smith
W A
WA
D000818:Animals; D004867:Equipment Design; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices / Q000009:adverse effects; D006461:Hemolysis; D006801:Humans; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011673:Pulsatile Flow