[The test of mean flow velocity patterns within a new push-plate ventricular assist device]

This article reports the design of Z-4 Push-Plate Ventricular Assist Device and the test of its mean flow velocity patterns. The results showed that during diastole the interaction of the jet formed by incoming fluid within the boundaries of the blood chamber induced a large clockwise vortex, its centre was the centre of the chamber circle; the largest velocity (approximately 125 cm/sec) was generated near the major orifice of the valve in inlet conduit. During systole the centre of the vortex came close to the outlet conduit; the largest velocity (approximately 120 cm/sec) was generated in inlet conduit. There were no turbulent flow and stagnation point during the pume cycle. The mean velocity patterns proved a good wall washing over the entire chamber and the internal surfaces of the pump should be resistant to thrombus deposition.