Mini hemoreliable axial flow LVAD with magnetic bearings: part 1: historical overview and concept advantages

Intec has been developing an ultra-miniature axial flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) turbo pump that incorporates non-contacting magnetic bearings specifically designed to eliminate thrombus. The patent pending pump is similar in size to the Jarvik 2000, being 1.0 inch in diameter and having a volume of 25cc. This paper provides two decades of historical background regarding blood pumps and discusses new advances made possible by our contactless design. Design details are left for parts two and three. This LVAD is presently the smallest magnetically suspended turbo pump. It was made possible by use of new 1/2-inch diameter fringing ring magnetic bearings. These axial field bearings are 10 times smaller than equal capacity radial field conventional magnetic bearings currently in development in turbo pumps. Our LVAD is physiologically controllable, without the use of invasive sensors, by directly measuring pump differential pressure with the magnetic bearings. This mechanism will allow attainment of cyclic, closed-loop control of impeller revolutions per minute to achieve a high degree of pressure pulsatility. Pulsatile flow is important in obtaining long-term hemodynamic reliability without thrombus being generated in either the pump or body.