System analysis of the flow/pressure response of rotodynamic blood pumps

Design of a rotodynamic blood pumping system to have a suitable, controllable output is a key configuration issue. This study evaluates the benefits of selecting the impeller running specific speed, motor speed-torque line, and pump operating logic to jointly combine into a suitable characteristic. In this study, a "constant" flow for a given choice of control parameter value was the selected objective. The operating condition selected for analysis was chosen to be typical of an implanted, chronic support pump. Open-loop operation, fixed torque, fixed power, and fixed power/rpm2 ratio were combined with choices of impeller diameter and speed and motor speed-torque line. It was found that setting the running specific speed at a higher value than that associated with the best efficiency point resulted in a much more controllable pump. Overall efficiency was only slightly penalized for the model impeller chosen. Power/rpm2 control followed by torque control were most effective. With these control modes, motor characteristics were not critical.