Long-term durability test of axial-flow ventricular assist device under pulsatile flow.
A long-term durability test was conducted on a newly developed axial-flow ventricular assist device (VAD) with hydrodynamic bearings. The mock circulatory loop consisted of a diaphragm pump with a mechanical heart valve, a reservoir, a compliance tank, a resistance valve, and flow paths made of polymer or titanium. The VAD was installed behind the diaphragm pump. The blood analog fluid was a saline solution with added glycerin at a temperature of 37 °C. A pulsatile flow was introduced into the VAD over a range of flow rates to realize a positive flow rate and a positive pressure head at a given impeller rotational speed, yielding a flow rate of 5 L/min and a pressure of 100 mmHg. Pulsatile flow conditions were achieved with the diastolic and systolic flow rates of ~0 and 9.5 L/min, respectively, and an average flow rate of ~5 L/min at a pulse rate of 72 bpm. The VAD operation was judged by not only the rotational speed of the impeller, but also the diastolic, systolic, and average flow rates and the average pressure head of the VAD. The conditions of the mock circulatory loop, including the pulse rate of the diaphragm pump, the fluid temperature, and the fluid viscosity were maintained. Eight VADs were tested with testing periods of 2 years, during which they were continuously in operation. The VAD performance factors, including the power consumption and the vibration characteristics, were kept almost constant. The long-term durability of the developed VAD was successfully demonstrated.
Artificial Organ Research Group, Health Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, 1-2-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8564, Japan. masahiro.nishida@aist.go.jp.
Masahiro
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8075-2269
M
Nishida
Artificial Organ Research Group, Health Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, 1-2-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8564, Japan.
Ryo
R
Kosaka
Artificial Organ Research Group, Health Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, 1-2-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8564, Japan.
Osamu
O
Maruyama
Artificial Organ Research Group, Health Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, 1-2-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8564, Japan.
Takashi
T
Yamane
Nipro Corporation, 3023 Nojicho, Kusatsu, Shiga, 525-0055, Japan.
Akio
A
Shirasu
National Cerebral Cardiovascular Center, 5-7-1 Fujishiro-dai, Suita, Osaka, 565-8565, Japan.
Eisuke
E
Tatsumi
National Cerebral Cardiovascular Center, 5-7-1 Fujishiro-dai, Suita, Osaka, 565-8565, Japan.
Yoshiyuki
Y
Taenaka
D001794:Blood Pressure; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D057446:Hydrodynamics; D008422:Materials Testing; D011312:Pressure; D011673:Pulsatile Flow
Durability test; Mock circulatory loop; Pulsatile flow; Ventricular assist device