Abstract
To confirm the long-term durability for developing pediatric ventricular assist device (VAD) under pulsatile flow condition, a mock circulation was consisted of a diaphragm pump with a mechanical heart valve, a reservoir, a compliance tank, a resistance and simple-layout flow paths made of polymer or titanium. The VAD was installed behind the diaphragm pump. Saline added with glycerin was used as a blood analog fluid whose viscosity coincided with that of blood at the temperature of 37 C. The pulsatile flow condition was set within the flow rate range to realize positive flow rate and positive head at the impeller rotational speed which realized the flow rate of 2 L/min and the pressure of 100 mmHg with considering daily variation. In order to obtain the required flow rate, the size of pump valve, the size of pulsatile pump, the mechanism of piston reciprocating motion, and the flow resistance were newly adjusted. As a result, the same size check valve and the 80% large size pulsatile pump were adopted. The quick-return motion mechanism was constructed. The flow resistance were automatically adjusted as the order. Finally, the objected pulsatile flow rates were obtained for the durability test of a pediatric VAD with being confirmed with automatic mode-switching.
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