title: Flow visualization study to investigate the secondary flow behind the impeller in the Gyro centrifugal pump.
abstract: The Gyro permanently implantable pump consists of a sealless pump housing and an impeller supported with a double pivot bearing. The secondary vanes are attached to increase the secondary flow to avoid thrombus formation behind the impeller. Flow visualization studies using an oil film method were performed on three types of impellers: no secondary vanes, 0.5 mm height secondary vanes, and 1.0 mm height secondary vanes. Comparison studies of these impellers were performed on the surfaces of the impeller bottom and bottom housing. Regarding the surface of the impeller bottom, the impeller with no secondary vanes had the least stagnant areas around the shaft. On the other hand, the impeller having 1.0 mm height secondary vanes had the most distinguished flow lines on the bottom housing. Overall, the impeller secondary vanes with a height of 0.5 mm (current design) seemed to create the most effective secondary flow.
authors.affiliation: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA. itii@xd6.so-net.ne.jp
authors.forename: Seiji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ichikawa
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nonaka
authors.forename: Joerg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Linneweber
authors.forename: Shinji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kawahito
authors.forename: Minoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Motomura
authors.forename: Ikuya
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nishimura
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Glueck
authors.forename: Toshiyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shinohara
authors.forename: Yukihiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nosé
mesh_terms: D004867:Equipment Design; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D012212:Rheology