The fluid dynamics of the Thoratec HeartMate III (Thoratec Corp., Pleasanton, CA, U.S.A.) left ventricular assist device are analyzed over a range of physiological operating conditions. The HeartMate III is a centrifugal flow pump with a magnetically suspended rotor. The complete pump was analyzed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis and experimental particle imaging flow visualiza...

OBJECTIVE Whether or not selective visceral and renal perfusion during thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair has a protective effect on visceral and renal function remains unknown. The aim of this study was to clarify if selective perfusion has such an effect. METHODS From May 1982 to December 1997, 82 consecutive patients underwent TAAA repair. Patients receiving hypothermic circula...

The purpose of this investigation was to analyze how left ventricular assist device (LVAD) with a centrifugal pump alters left ventricular diastolic hemodynamics and energy by means of a left ventricular pressure volume relationship. Fifteen anesthetized normal pig hearts were studied after placement of an apical drainage LVAD with a centrifugal pump. Indices of the left ventricular isovolumic ...

The energy performance and pressure fluctuations in a centrifugal pump with inlet guide vanes (IGVs) are investigated experimentally and numerically in a prewhirl angle range of −24◦ to 24◦ and in an axial distance range of 280 mm, 380 mm, and 460 mm. The reliability and accuracy of the numerical method are validated by the satisfactory agreement between the experimental data and numerical resu...

The development of electrostatic potentials generated during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) procedures using polyvinylchloride (PVC) tubing in conjunction with roller pumps has been previously documented. The resulting damage from the electrostatic discharge (ESD) has been reported to affect gas transfer devices, but details of potential damage to electronic components commonly used during extrac...

The risk of air emboli is a concern for all perfusionists. A new clamping device for use with centrifugal pumps is designed to clamp both the arterial and venous lines at the first indication of air or retrograde flow, thereby allowing the perfusionist to evaluate the situation and correct the problem before entraining air into the arterial pump head. After evaluating this device in our lab, we...

Centrifugal pumps are used in cooling the engine by pumping water as coolant into the engine. The normal function of the coolant is to discharge coolant at a specific velocity into the engine coolant volume, once the coolant crosses 150 C temperatures then it is taken to the radiator for cooling to 50 C. Due to changes in the engine design it is desired to have changes in the centrifugal pump d...

We investigated a miniature magnetically levitated centrifugal blood pump intended to deliver 0.3-1.5 l/min of support to neonates and infants. The back clearance gap between the housing and large volume of the rotor, where the suspension and motor bearings are located, forms a continuous leakage flow path. Within the gap, flow demonstrates a very complex three-dimensional structure: the fluid ...

HeartWare is a third-generation continuous flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and generates centrifugal pattern of blood flow. In the perioperative setting, interrogating the HeartWare devices is very difficult due to the interference of the Doppler by the impeller frequency and generation of the waterfall artifact. We present a case where using color Doppler a view "inside" the impelle...