Analysis of the hydrodynamic causes of thrombosis and hemolysis in the centrifugal pump of the artificial blood supply system

Abstract

The article is devoted to the analysis of the hydrodynamic causes of complications of the use of centrifugal pumps in artificial circulation systems. In the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, rotary pumps began to be used: centrifugal, axial and disk. Of the three types of rotary pumps, centrifugal pumps have the highest power density due to the use of centrifugal force. Statistics show that the greatest blood damage in the form of thrombosis and hemolysis is observed in these pumps. The article concludes that the main hydrodynamic cause of thrombosis and hemolysis is the force field formed by the centrifugal force of inertia, which generates vortex and separation zones. When passing through these zones, red blood cells experience intense hydrodynamic effects in the form of local accelerations and impacts against the walls of the channels, which leads to their deformation, and then to the destruction of some red blood cells. On the one hand, thanks to this force, the intensity of energy conversion in a centrifugal pump becomes higher compared to other types of pumps. On the other hand, a large unevenness of speed and pressure occurs in the channels, which has a traumatic effect on red blood cells. Hydrodynamic solutions to weaken the force field that injures red blood cells will inevitably be accompanied by a decrease in the intensity of energy conversion and the benefits of using this type of pump.