Improvement of the hydrodynamic response of a ventricular assist device: a false auricle solution

Hydrodynamic response of a VAD with a compliant cannula: results of in vitro tests

We report on comparative in vitro tests of two ventricular assist devices (VAD) one with a rigid input cannula and the other with a collapsible (compliant) inlet cannula. We show how this compliant cannula yields significant improvements in the hydrodynamic performance of the system.

Tubular vacuum-powered blood-pumping device with active valves

We propose a new vacuum-driven blood pump having a tubular shape with active valves. This design avoids any possible problems caused by membrane breakage, thereby minimizing the risk of gas embolic events and stagnation regions. By using active valves, it is possible to ensure better flow control and minimize pressure gradients inside and outside the pump. The low cost of the pump's disposable parts enables it to be used for such applications as a ventricular assist device, a pulsatile pump device in extracorporeal circulation, a pump in hemodialysis and apheresis circuits, and a pump in extracorporeal membrane oxygenator systems.

Development and clinical assay of the BCM ventricular assist device

The development of a ventricular assist device is depicted. The seven subprograms that make up the project are described briefly. Results obtained during the clinical assay showed that the new design of the input cannula working as a false auricle provides better efficiency, as well as a certain level of autoregulation for the device.