Optimal assist strategy exploration for a direct assist device under stress‒strain dynamics.

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to introduce a new assist strategy for a direct assist device that can enhance the heart's pumping efficiency and decrease the chances of myocardial injury in contrast to the conventional assist strategy. We established a finite element model of a biventricular heart, divided the ventricles into several regions, and applied pressure to each region separately in order to identify the primary and secondary assist areas. Then combined and tested these areas to obtain the optimal assist strategy. The results indicate that our method exhibits an assist efficiency approximately ten times higher than that of the traditional assist method. Additionally, the stress distribution in the ventricles is more uniform after assistance. In summary, this approach can result in a more homogenous stress distribution within the heart while also minimizing the contact area with it, which can reduce the incidence of allergic reactions and the likelihood of myocardial injury.